Climbing into the rain

Merry Hill

Wednesday 4/25 Day 5
Today started off climbing the two mile downhill that I finished yesterday on, although there was no wind. When I got to the top I went a mile east to a world war one memorial that looked like stone hedge. I had a quick breakfast stop here and it was the day I tried the chia seeds. My Dad and Garrette are reading the book born to run and in it they talk about the natives using these seeds to allow them to regain energy. Well long story short Garrette got some for her twenty mile run and my parents were able to try some and were convinced so they got me some for my trip. I just put them in my oats, didn't even notice them. Perfect timing because after breakfast I had another six miles of climbing, I think it was a total of 2000 feet elevation gain all together. Slow and steady won the race.

WWI Memorial

I rolled into Goldendale at about eleven thirty and headed to a star observatory that opened at two. On the way up there I met a guy named Jon who talked a bit about his adventures in life working at middle silos, national parks, Vietnam, and Lewis and Clark reenactments. It was great he even brought some old photos out for me to see. At the observatory it was a bit disappointing because I was unable to look through the telescope due to the clouds on the sky. But it is a public telescope that you can see dead spots on the sun, nebulas, galaxies, and many other things. Next time hopefully it won't be cloudy, it was at least cool to see it.

The Telescope

As I left I was welcomed by my first rain of the trip. It was only a drizzle but the main cloud was headed right for me. Somehow I was able to outrun it. I headed down Bickleton highway, a flat open road overlooking the country side I ended up missing all the rain. I met a guy who was sleeping in a car on a pull off. We exchanged stories of our travels and chatted about the path ahead. It sounds like the s scenery gets pretty boring after the next town I dropped into a canyon and camped in there for the night. Ate some subway and read my book Atlas Shrugged. And now it is poring rain out as I type this in my tent.

Bickleton Highway

One final thought, I dislike sleeping in places I know I'm not suppose to be. I get jumpy to all sounds around the tent. I had to go on private land that had a no trespassing sign and I did some "stealth camping". I guess you could consider me a navy seal or something. But the idea is to camp so no one can see you, often that means you need to move into your spot when it is dark and move out early in the morning. hopefully I'll get some good sleep tonight and stay dry.
Biked about 30miles today. :)