The goal for today was Dayton, WA, a place I have read about several times but never managed to visit.

Leaving the motel in Pomeroy

We started out with a fast 20 miles. It looked flat but felt like downhill, best average speed of the trip so far (of course not a speed that would seem fast to anyone else).
Then everything changed when we hit a smaller version of yesterday’s climb. It was not as bad, but was still a grind for about 10 miles, especially the last 4.

Climbing out of Pomeroy

Weee! The descent.

However, it was some gorgeous scenery, rolling fields of wheat and windmills.

The beauty of the southern Palouse.

Also, we did not have anyone Iike the a-hole yesterday who actually moved out of the passing lane to buzz us. That happened when I was at a low point emotionally and I am afraid I screamed some nasty things at him. Corey had to cover his ears. (T: GRRR!)
The last couple days have been a special treat for Corey, as you do not see anything like this back on the east coast. Like many people from other parts of the country, he has been surprised how different from western Washington and Oregon the east sides of the states are. I told him the politics are very different too, like completely different states.
Dayton is the nicest town I have seen since Missoula.

Mural in Dayton

Tough dogs- protecting the quilt store! Grr!

There is a great brewpub (lunch AND dinner for us), a good looking fancier restaurant, a very good bakery, an art gallery, a couple museums, a beautiful old courthouse (most articles about the town feature a photo of the courthouse), and a classic old hotel with Victorian furniture (beats the heck out of the basic motels we have been staying at).

Now that’s a brewpub!

Another great courthouse

A hotel lobby to spend time in

There is even a drug store with a soda fountain. I was disappointed that it was closed. One more place I need to bring Tami back to! (T: we must go when it is open!)

Mmmm… ice cream

I was amused when we first rolled into town to see two wild turkeys crossing the road ahead of us. Unfortunately, we were not able to get our cameras out fast enough to get pictures before they wandered into the grass on the side.

Hey, who are you calling turkeys?

We did, however, later get some pictures of several deer crossing the street.

Watch out! Cyclists coming through!

The hotel has a great second story outdoor patio for guests.

A deck to relax on

We have desecrated it with our laundry, but fortunately are the only guests out here.

Airing his dirty laundry. Oh, he claims it’s clean.

We discussed using the grill to cook some steaks for dinner, but it appeared we would have had to wait too long for the sun to go down so it would be comfortable out here. We hated having to go back to the brewpub, but what you going to do? (T: Counting on you guys to make the sacrifices)
Tomorrow we should have an easy roll into Walla Walla where we have reserved an Airbnb for two nights. It is time for some rest and recuperation, not to mention wine tasting. I also need to find a bike shop. I need to replace a tube that flatted a couple days ago, as well as buy a patch kit that actually has some patches in it (that will teach me to just grab a patch kit out of the drawer at home without checking the contents – no, on second thought I probably will not learn a thing). (T: Nope, probably not)

Mike says he found some protein bars