Day 6, Roll on Columbia

Last night I was supposed to go another 7-8 miles to get to Hood River where I could stay with another Warm Showers host but I would of gotten there pretty late and the last 5 miles were on Interstate 84, yeah, I know it sounds crazy to ride a bicycle on the interstate but that’s the way they do it out West. I and my potential Warm Showers host thought it would be better to camp and tackle the Interstate miles in the morning. So I stopped by their place in the morning for a cup of coffee and we talked bike touring and shop. He and his wife run a bakery (Pine Street Bakery) in Hood River and I have spent many years working as a baker so I wanted to hear about their bakery. They did one better and gave me a tour! We rode bikes down into town and let me in for a tour even though they are closed in Sundays. I could tell they were good at running their business by the stories they told of how they adapted during Covid and how they have many employees that have been with them for more than 10 years. They sent me off with some of their Dark Chocolate chip salted short bread cookies and I was going to bring one home to my wife but rationalized that it wouldn’t be in good shape by the time I got it to her. Sorry Hon.

I met Jim, a Customer of Pine Street bakery just as I was getting back on the Old Columbia River Highway. He came pedaling up to me and asked where I was headed. We proceeded to talk for the next 5-6 miles. I learned he was 83, he and his wife taught school in Alaska, he had a masters degree in Geography, he had lived in Hood River and now lives in Park City, Utah. His daughter still lives in Hood River and it was her ebike he was riding. Which explains why he wasn’t out of breath at all.

Rolling on down the Old Columbia River Highway I soon came to the stunning view at Rowena Crest overlook. And the decent from that spot was the coolest I have ridden so far.

I picked up lunch at the Dalles and crossed the bridge into Washington, my second state of the trip. And got a close view of the Columbia rushing through the dam while crossing the bridge.

Towards the end of the day I started passing wineries by the time I reached the third one I decided it would be okay to stop. They had just closed the tasting room but were kind enough to pour me a glass to enjoy on their veranda that had a great view of the River and Mount Hood in the distance.

I covered 66 miles and stayed at MaryHill State Park.