SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 2011

Newton, Washington to Winthrop, Washington

311.2 miles/2,881.2 miles

Once on the road, with the Gravel Camp nightmare experience behind us, we continued through yesterday's landscape, now, with clouds above, looking like we might have a little rain to ride through and, sure enough, we got about thirty minutes worth, evident on Al's windscreen when we stopped to consult the map, and my donning my rain gear for the first time.

Al Reviewing the Map

Joe in Rain Gear

As noted above, the landscape continued on, similar to yesterday, with farmland rolling by, always with mountains in the background, accompanied by a mixture of overcast skies and sunshine, with increasing trees as we continued west, towards the ascension into the Cascades, tomorrow.

A Field of Wild Flowers

The Engaging Landscape

A Solitary Tee as We Near the Campground

A Barn in a Hay Field

When we arrived at today’s campsite in Winthrop, Washington - happily, grass! - we had a spot in the middle of three empty sites and, as soon as we pulled in, we had a greeting party of eight kids, ranging in age from 3 years to 8 years old, who wanted to know everything about motorcycles, what we slept in and our gear.

Tom Providing a Lesson in Stake Hammering

We Finally Have Groupies!

Tom Explaining the Fine Points of Something

Some Very Detailed Questions from our Admirers

The youthful gang immediately gravitated to Tom, insisting on helping him erect his tent, with Tom providing guidance on the hammering of tent stakes.  Once I had my tent up, three of the kids wanted a tour of the inside, climbing right in, and noting “our tent is bigger than yours!”

Tom and His Tent Gang

At the end of the day, one of the kids - Carter - had moved his bike from his parent's camp area, and  placed it in the row next to ours.

Carter's Bike