Finally, the moment had arrived – embarking on the final leg of our 6 year long project to cross America by bicycle. We delayed this segment of the journey because of Covid hotspots in the Pacific NW, but they cooled off just in time for us to squeeze in the final leg before the weather cooled off too much. The biggest challenge we faced on this segment, in fact, were chilly nights – down to the low 40’s.

We began from the Boise airport, where we previously ended segment seven. After assembling our bikes, which survived the plane flight unharmed (thanks, United), we made a pleasant pass through the Boise Greenway before turning north to Emmett, ID. Nancy had arranged with pastor Kip Mitchell of New Life Celebration Church to camp on their church property, but when we arrived, the church custodian, Manny, insisted we camp inside the building. We greatly appreciated the church’s hospitality.

From Emmett we crossed into NE Oregon and rejoined our old friend, the Snake River, which earlier led us through Idaho and previously led the Oregon trail travelers westward as well. We camped that night, in fact, at Farewell Bend State Park, where the Oregon trail departed from the river and went inland into the Blue Mountains. It was our farewell as well to a longtime friend and traveling companion - the Snake River.

Our trip to Baker City and beyond required us to bike I-84 at times for several days, which isn’t as busy as some interstates, but on the other hand doesn’t always offer the most generous shoulder to ride on. We nearly gave up one day, when strong crosswinds were making it very difficult to bike a straight line on a stingy shoulder with cars passing nearby at 80+MPH. Not a very cheery day. We thanked God when we finally left the expressway for good.

After traveling about 1000 miles through dry sagebrush and open prairie on our last trip, it was a welcome sight to see green. We had our first encounter with vegetation at scenic Hilgard Junction State Park, where we spent a pleasant, but cold night, and learned that the Oregon state parks were soon to close for the season. Just made it in under the wire.

The next day, as we climbed Old Emigrant Road through the Blue Mountains, we were totally unprepared for what lay ahead. Suddenly a huge plain opened to our view, stretching nearly as far as we could see – the Columbia River plateau. What followed was a wild 2000 foot decent into the plain. We zig-zagged around on hairpin curves and were thrust every which way by strong winds that appeared from nowhere. The ride would rival any roller coaster.

That night was spent near Pendleton, OR, where we met up with friends – Jeff and Janelle Nelson, Assemblies of God missionaries to Africa, who were traveling with Janelle’s mother to a funeral in Washington State. The following night we took in a motel on the Columbia River to escape the cold and strolled along the famous river that leads to the mighty Pacific. Tomorrow we would say farewell to Oregon and cross the bridge into our 15th and final state - Washington.       

Washington state greeted us with abundant orchards and vineyards. Wineries abound, but we contented ourselves with sampling the state’s most famous crop – apples. Almost rivaling our Blue Mountain experience was the view from Horse Heaven Overlook, which stands at the brink of Yakima valley. The valley is huge and very fertile, watered by the Yakima River, and produces an abundance of fruit in many varieties. The biggest thrill for us was seeing our first view of snowcapped Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier – a sure sign that your final destination is near at hand.

The Yakima valley holds another unexpected treasure – the murals of Toppenish, WA. The town is decorated by 75 large and ornate murals, painted all over town on the sides of buildings, depicting the early history of the region. In Yamika city we were received by two very gracious individuals, Jeff and Peggy, who participate in a program called “Warm Showers,” which provides cyclists with food and shelter. That night they fed two hungry cyclists royally.

We thought by now that nothing could rival the Blue Mountains or Horse Heaven Outlook until we departed Yakima for Ellensburg through the Yakima River Canyon. Our road hugged the sides of mountains and weaved though the narrow and very picturesque canyon for about 25 miles. We stopped so often to take pictures it seemed we’d never get through it. Along the way we met really the first fellow bikers we’d seen thus far – a couple from Seattle down for a day ride in the canyon.

This would be the last day for Tom on his road bike, since the last three days would be spent on rail-to-trail bike trails from Ellensburg to Seattle. Since Tom’s road bike would never survive the gravel surface, his nephew Bob, who lives in Seattle, brought out a rented hybrid bike for him and hauled his road bike back to Seattle. We later got to ride with Bob, an avid mountain and dirt biker, around the Seattle area and enjoyed spending time together.

The only word to describe the ride from Ellensburg to Seattle is “glorious.” Certainly, the best was saved for last. Mountains, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, evergreens – heaven. The trail was equally remarkable, featuring bridges across DEEP ravines and tunnels through the mountains – one 2.2 miles long. At that tunnel we met Todd, a 50+ year old biker who, noticing our lack of luminaries, volunteered to illuminate our way through the tunnel with his powerful headlamp while he related stories of his life in the mountains.  

We spent our final night in North Bend, where another church – Mountain View Assembly of God, pastored by Donald Erlitz, allowed us to camp on their turf. The final day of the ride saw us twisting and turning on bike trails under a maze of expressway interchanges, across bridges, and into the city we’d long waited to see – Seattle.

This was it. The end of a six year project that took us 3500 miles across the whole or parts of 15 states. Our official endpoint was Pier 62 along Puget Sound – the first salt water we had seen since New York Harbor. We paused to thank God for His blessing and protection, open gifts and enjoy Pacific seafood. Nancy’s good friend, Julie Moore, provided us with first class accommodations in a downtown hotel, where we could wind-down and relax. A great way to finish out the trip.

 

This was an experience of a lifetime. Memories were made that will not soon be forgotten, and a new bond was build between us two, having shared together the joys and trials of a cross-country experience. As we reflect on our adventure over the years, it will become even more meaningful for us. But for now we can rejoice that we made it. With God’s help we crossed the country “from sea to shining sea.”

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