Elma to Cathlamet / by Lisa

We’ve officially crossed the entire state of Washington as of tonight, and we’ll be crossing the Columbia River into Oregon tomorrow. Yesterday we rode from Elma to Lewis and Clark State Park, just north of Toledo, WA.  It was another cold night, and we had the bonus of biking in rain for the last hour of the day. And setting up camp in the rain. And eating our pot of instant mashed potatoes for dinner...in the rain.

Starting the day off right! Turns out I (Lisa) have been biking with an ear infection for the last week—but a quick doctor’s visit and some antibiotics and I’m feeling a million times better. 

Starting the day off right! Turns out I (Lisa) have been biking with an ear infection for the last week—but a quick doctor’s visit and some antibiotics and I’m feeling a million times better. 

Biking through downtown Centralia, WA. We finally found a bike shop and could pick up some more spare inner tubes. We had two flats in two days, so had been biking the last day with no spares.

Biking through downtown Centralia, WA. We finally found a bike shop and could pick up some more spare inner tubes. We had two flats in two days, so had been biking the last day with no spares.

Getting ready for a steep descent! He hit 40 mph on the way down. 

Getting ready for a steep descent! He hit 40 mph on the way down. 

Our rainy little campsite at Lewis and Clark State Park. 

Our rainy little campsite at Lewis and Clark State Park. 

Today we rode to Cathlamet, riding along the Cowlitz River and then the Columbia River. We did almost 60 miles today, and the last 20 were in stiff headwinds on a busy road with no shoulder. Fun!

Mural in Toledo, WA. 

Mural in Toledo, WA. 

Quiet backcountry roads all morning. 

Quiet backcountry roads all morning. 

Crossing the Cowlitz River. 

Crossing the Cowlitz River. 

So glad we found out about this medicine for weak women. JUST KIDDING. 

So glad we found out about this medicine for weak women. JUST KIDDING. 

Yet another meal of peanut butter. Lunch in Castle Rock, WA. 

Yet another meal of peanut butter. Lunch in Castle Rock, WA. 

We found a farm stand with giant blackberries (or marionberries?) and ate them on the side of the highway.

We found a farm stand with giant blackberries (or marionberries?) and ate them on the side of the highway.

Biking along the Columbia River. 

Biking along the Columbia River.