This morning was overcast with a slight breeze. Having cloud cover for the first hour and 45 minutes of riding definitely made this soon to be challenging day more manageable. We left Othello around 10:00am and rode east on WA-26 toward its intersection with US-395. Shortly after leaving Othello, our cloud cover also dissipated at this time. As we pressed eastward, fields of wheat and occasional corn gave way to long and gradual rolling hills. Soon we found ourselves riding through the fringes of the Columbia Basin, which featured long and gradual descents and ascents. We stopped for lunch at the intersection of WA-26 and US-395 at a rest area that offered ample shade. In a land where shade is hard to come by, we thought it wise to take it while it was available.
After lunch, we rode further on WA-26 into the hottest and driest conditions that we've experienced thus far. Temperatures were near 100 degrees, but the steady tailwind offered a push and slight relief when we took breaks. Throughout the afternoon we both noticed sticky elements from the asphalt being peeled off the roadway by our tires, which sounded like poprocks. Occasionally, tumbleweeds bobbed lazily across the roadway. Here and there, dustdevils swirled in recently plowed fields that had yet to produce crops. Often, the only structures anywhere in sight were farm- related, but they did not have homes with them. This was pretty rural!
As the afternoon wore on, we regained overcast conditions which made riding a lot easier. This is noteworthy, as shade of any kind was nowhere to be found for about 20 miles. Soon we found ourselves on a lengthy descent into Washtucna, where we would depart WA-26 at last and begin riding on WA-261 for the remainder of the day. We decided to stop at what may have been the only eatery in town. Aside from ourselves, there was a couple, two other gentlemen, and the town character (per the bartender) in the establishment. We split an order of their chicken, apparently a local favorite.
From here we rode into a strong headwind, as WA-261 took us southwest for five miles before turning southeast. Just before we made our turn southeast, Garrett and I both saw a bolt of lightning to the southwest, but it was unaccompanied thunder. By my mis-estimation and optimism, I thought the storm might blow beyond our destination to the south. I was wrong!
The remaining 10 miles were the most challenging of the day. WA-261 is a lightly traveled narrow route and would be an enjoyable ride without a strong headwind. You see, even though we turned southeast, the now imminent storm brought with it sustained winds of 30mph-35mph with pace killing gusts of 50mph. Dust the likes of which we never see in the Midwest filled the air and eventually our mouths. Lightning and thunder were now frequent. In the matter of 15 minutes this storm had barreled into the surrounding area, and it appeared ready to unleash torrents of rain.
We were most fortunate to pull off the road to a house, where two very kind folks (Lanny and Rose) allowed us to have shelter while the storm blew over. They even filled our gallon jug of water! In the situation we were in, asking for help from complete strangers can't hurt! We chatted with Lanny and Rose for about an hour while the storm, surprisingly, quickly passed. There was a period of 5-10 minutes of rain, but beyond this the wind and lightning were the most remarkable aspects of this storm, respectfully.
We left Lanny and Rose's around 8pm to make the final push against 30mph winds for four more miles to our campground. We managed to make it to camp and have tents set up shortly after 9pm, and we elected to take a rest day on Tuesday, as it would undoubtedly benefit both of us after a day like today.
