Cycling through the wide open fields

Wednesday April 24 2013

After the complimentary hotel breakfast and a leisurely start to our morning, we decided on one of the tours that Justin (from Allegro Cycle) had mapped out for us. We left from our hotel door to wander through a bit more of the town and for a visit to Pioneer Park.

Japanese? sign at the park

Colorful trees are out everywhere

 

Covered wagon travel?

Leaving the park, we crossed a bridge over Mill Creek -- which is much more than the "creeks" we know of. It is more of a rather fast moving river that runs right through town. Later we will cycle on a trail that takes us to the Dam where it starts -- later.

Mill "Creek"

 

Looking the other way off the bridge to the spillways up the creek

We eventually got out of town and oh so enjoyed our time in the fields. I cannot describe the different kind of beauty on this side of the mountains so will let photos do as much as they can.

Perhaps Spring Wheat (we're not sure) starting in the foreground and fields waiting for planting in the background

 

Howdy

 

 

Sun, light traffic, rolling hills, smooth riding - Ahhhhhh

Stunning!

 

We finished the loop back into town and knew we had more energy for just a bit more riding, so pulled out the map to find Justin's suggested Mill Creek Recreation Trail along the "Creek". I have to keep putting that in quotes as it is way beyond my definition of a creek. We were going "up river" on the trail so there was a little bit of incline to the end -- and a swell coasting down hill when we turned around.

The spillways from the Dam apparently lessen the flood potential for the town, but they are not salmon spawning friendly. The Corps of Engineers who built this project are now in the throes of making some changes to help with that -- adding "steps" or "ladders" in parts of each spillway so the salmon have a "fighting chance".

Spillways for miles

Needless to say, the near end to our day's tour demanded a tea and crumpet (in this case bread) stop when we got back to town.

Walla Walla Bread Company with VERY friendly wait staff

We don't think the day could have been better.

 

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