Last night it started raining during dinner and rained all night and through an early breakfast. Denise, our guide, issued a rain delay meaning that snacks would not be put out until about 9 with a 9 or after roll out. This worked out just fine since we only had about 29 miles to Dayton. And for a rain day, the conditions were great. We were on a smooth road with no traffic and no shoulder. Had a long downhill just before Middle Waitsburg. Altho the road was no longer wet, I took it easy. Sometimes I have to remind myself to ride 'smart'. Waitsburg had one cafe, the White Stallion, which many descended upon for whatever. Virginia and I shared another huge cinnamon roll. Virginia and her husband just completed the 3rd leg of the Northern Tier with Bike By America. They got home on Wednesday and she left Thursday afternoon for Portland. Needless to say, she was in great shape at the start of this tour.
Backing up a little, the road to Waitsburg was through beautiful rolling hills called the foothills of the Palouse. The hills are covered with golden wheat fields interspersed with grape vineyards. Often we passed grain fields that had been burned and tilled under, resulting in black fields. At one point the wide vista looked like a huge, lumpy checker board of black and golden squares.
In Dayton 15 of us are booked at the Weinhard Hotel on Main Street. Built in 1890 it is furnished with gorgeous antiques of the period. I've enjoyed a leisure walking tour of downtown and now am in the Internet Cafe (former bar) of the hotel using a cute little Mac. We're expecting a couple to entertain us in the parlor at 5 with music on the grand piano. Nancy bought a bottle of local wine for us to sip on during the music. Then, we'll walk a few blocks to where the guides are housed and where our dinner will be served at 6:15
Dinner was at an odd time because on Friday nights, this darling couple in their 80's play piano and drums in the parlor of the Weinhard and most of the girls gathered to listen. Their music is from the 20's - 40's which all of us could enjoy. At some point they handed out hand instruments (toys) so that we could participate. Nancy got up and did the Charleston to the tune "Has Ånybody Seen My Gal". Nadine Dieringer closed with "Just A Closer Walk With Thee". They were so delightful.
Linda outdid herself tonight with dinner: pork tenderloin, tomato/cucumber/cottage cheese salad, sweet potatoes, sliced nectarines, caramalized onions and apples all followed by ice cream sundaes. Is there any wonder that I'm gaining weight??
Backing up a little, the road to Waitsburg was through beautiful rolling hills called the foothills of the Palouse. The hills are covered with golden wheat fields interspersed with grape vineyards. Often we passed grain fields that had been burned and tilled under, resulting in black fields. At one point the wide vista looked like a huge, lumpy checker board of black and golden squares.
In Dayton 15 of us are booked at the Weinhard Hotel on Main Street. Built in 1890 it is furnished with gorgeous antiques of the period. I've enjoyed a leisure walking tour of downtown and now am in the Internet Cafe (former bar) of the hotel using a cute little Mac. We're expecting a couple to entertain us in the parlor at 5 with music on the grand piano. Nancy bought a bottle of local wine for us to sip on during the music. Then, we'll walk a few blocks to where the guides are housed and where our dinner will be served at 6:15
Dinner was at an odd time because on Friday nights, this darling couple in their 80's play piano and drums in the parlor of the Weinhard and most of the girls gathered to listen. Their music is from the 20's - 40's which all of us could enjoy. At some point they handed out hand instruments (toys) so that we could participate. Nancy got up and did the Charleston to the tune "Has Ånybody Seen My Gal". Nadine Dieringer closed with "Just A Closer Walk With Thee". They were so delightful.
Linda outdid herself tonight with dinner: pork tenderloin, tomato/cucumber/cottage cheese salad, sweet potatoes, sliced nectarines, caramalized onions and apples all followed by ice cream sundaes. Is there any wonder that I'm gaining weight??
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Hi Mom - Sounds like you are having a great trip so far. The girls are following along on google earth. We just got back from a long weekend in Florida for the girls to see Liz and some tarpon fishing for me. Love,Gray, Margaret, Emma & Eliza
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