Yakima, Sunnyside, and Kennewick (Columbia Park)

Thursday we arrived in Yakima after a beautiful ride through the Yakima River Valley Canyon. there were gorgeous rock formations and an oasis where the river flowed through with its swift waters. All around the outside of the canyon and its walls was barren brushland with tufts of plants and shrubs spotting the hillsides. Eric and I (Mark) climbed up the side of one of these "bluffs". We would have to guess that it was a thousand foot climb. Each time we would reach what seemed to be the top, a new higher ridge would appear before us. So, being commited we continued climbing to the top and succeeded in viewing a vast landscape of the Sonora Desert. The wind was blowing and you could see Yakima in the distance. Quite a sight! (Mountain biking shoes work well for climbing we found out) Then, continuing our adventure, Eric and I explored an old road travelling parallel to the highway. It went through an old bridge through the cliffs on the edge. We carefully walked through, carrying our bikes. Inside we found many graffitti-drawn pictures. It was really cool seeing all the artwork. Eventually we found the right road again marked on our maps and rode to that night's camp site. We stayed at a local Christian school. the Yakima CRC provided us with peanut m&m's and tootsie roll pops. We gratefully appreciated the snacks. It is this type of hospitality that is so amazing!
In the evening at camp we played card games. We played variations of spoons and president. Both served well to build community and burn time before supper. Mosquitoes turned out that night. I woke up that morning with a couple bites, but you don't notice when biking.
Friday we reached Sunnyside. The ride was very hot in the "barren wasteland" we were biking through. However, when we would look around you would notice patches of green where irrigation was occuring. This region of Washington is actually a major center of fruit growing, especially cherries. During the ride we received refreshments from a Church in Zillah, another small gesture of support and hospitility. I believe the people in Washington are the most friendly that I have ever encountered. At the rest point in Zillah, we ate cherries, watermelon, bananas, etc. A few from the church were there to serve and converse with.
When we arrived in Sunnyside it was early in the day for our ride was short, about 40 miles. We stayed in the fields around the local Christian School. To cool down from the heat, Eric and I ran around in the sprinklers with some other riders in the fields. Later that night, my dad, Eric, and I were put to sweep duty. This is where you serve food and help set up/tear down camp. However, we were spared our chores for the CRC in the area served us supper. We didn't even have to bring or wash our own dishes! It was an amazing meal of tortilla chips, tacos, beans, hamburger, pork, and strawberry shortcake. Then, that night for the forth of July we went to fireworks at Sunnyside high school. Another church served us rootbeer floats-very refreshing in the heat. I think we will gain weight versus losing it on this trip. The fireworks that night were great, an impressive show, but many of us were so tired that we could hardly keep our eyes open. Eventually we turned in for the night. Camping in fields under the stars.
Saturday,we arrived in Kennewick at Columbia park. It's a park right beside the Columbia river with some mountains in the background and multiple large bridges towering over the waters. The bike ride that day was extremely hot. Not much shade or coverage was around. The three of us were on sweep duty. We were "appointed" the last riders of the day, bringing in the herd. As a result we wer eon the road for six hours in the scorching sun. I'm sure that I have gotten burned. Many riders that day had flat tires from goatheads, small, sharp burs. Thus, we ended up mastering our tire repair skills and leisurely biking the route. When stopping for a bathroom break, we asked a local Mexican farmer if we could us his port-a-jon in the orched. he was all to happy to allow us and insisted that we take some cherries from his orchard. He quickly went and found a huge box filled with fresh cherries, picked that day, and told us to take them all. We ate what we could, and packed a few, but could not finish off the entire box. Before we left, the farmer insisted on giving us his cell phone number in case we wanted to come back for more cherries that night. What a blessing this farmer was, giving us not only a meal of cherries, but cold water. I think that I have now concluded that folks from Washington are the most friendly, we'll see how the other states are though.
Today, Sunday we attended the celebration rally in the park we're staying in, Columbia Park. Kennewick consists of about three cities and so the rally was bigger than the first one at the University of Washington. The service asked us to give and realized that we are more blessed when we focus on those around us. A few of the church were Burmese, another story, and they provided us with amazing music and singing. What a wonderful sound, even though it is in another language.
This after noon, we were able to do different activities from boating to floating down a river to shopping. Eric and I went to a pool at the house of a person from the area. The pool had a waterslide, diving board, and zip-line. Quite a treat. We enjoyed it and thank them deeply. My dad stayed at camp and rested up while playing bocce ball. Overall, its been a relaxing day preparing us for another intense week of biking. Thanks for all the support. We'll watch the sunset over the river tongiht and think of all you. Thanks again.