Today, Art and Jay took off from our site at Whispering Pines. Because this trip has taken longer than expected – difficult trails, surprise twists, The Money Pit RV, etc., we had to extend our stay here. I mentioned we had to move sites in Day Seven’s post.
I slept in. I like to take a photo before they head off each day, but I slept in. By sleeping in, I mean until eight a.m. I’m pretty run down. Jay is supposed to take those start pictures when Art is riding alone, as he does the drop off and pick up on those days. I posted about having heart surgery six days before we took off, and then I saw my podiatrist in Utah. He mentioned my second toe on my right foot was likely headed for an infection because, just like the one on my left foot, the toe was curling under due to arthritis. I have been walking on the tip, which I was aware of. Like magic, that infection happened when we landed here in Cle Elum, Washington. I visited the Urgent Care and got on a couple of antibiotics. I’ll have to follow up on the road and likely have surgery on a delayed stay. I have to admit, I feel a bit guilty about having these health issues that have made me less able to do all I want to do. But I know it is what it is, and I just have to push through it.
Off they went without fanfare this morning, directly from our RV site. The trail, called both Iron Horse and Palouse/Cascade Trail, ran alongside Interstate 90 most of the way. Still terrible and containing large chunks of gravel.
Jay rode twenty miles with Art again. Sadly, Jay has lost his joy for riding, and he has decided to only exercise by riding with Art as often as he can for as long as he can. Since this was Jay’s idea, and we made a commitment to complete this trip, we are shifting our focus to cheer Art on. But this picture proves Jay does ride most of the time. I’m a little sad, but Jay has been dealing with some balance issues, and this whole preparation has been rough on him.
One of the fun experiences that Jay got to have today was a rail trail tunnel. Here’s the info on this one:
I leave those pictures larger, hoping it’s easier to read. And here is Jay ready to ride in:
And here is one of Art preparing to go:
Art is still sporting his winning smile! They both got to go by this river and across a bridge:
And the bridge:
More of the bridge:
They saw a fisherman and there were rafters at one point, too:
The river also forked, and the bank was different in many places:
Toward the end of the trail, more of a prairie look:
And some beautiful deer. Art scared them when he stopped to take a picture. They almost blend into the vegetation:
About halfway through the trip, the trail changed to the John Wayne Trail. Art rode a total of fifty-five miles today.
Next Up: Day Nine – We’re pulling out of Whispering Pines
On Hummingbirds Wings 