Day 60: Grand Coulee!

By Mark Major

Spokane provided good rest and great hospitality from the Westminster Congregational United Church of Christ, a most remarkable community servant with many qualities I hope to find in my quest toward a spiritual home in Florida. This adventure has provided inspiration in many ways. Though I’ve been tending to spirituality through various activities at home I’ve neglected to become a member of any of the churches there. Since our mainstay of lodging along the way has been churches it has shown me the value of the extended family the commitment to a congregation provides and the invaluable service that comes from it. Regardless of where a person is in their spirituality, be it struggle or celebration, membership in the community via the church seems a worthwhile effort.

Fueled with breakfast of eggs, pancakes, sausage, bacon, juice and coffee we hit the streets of Spokane and headed west with a new rider, Scott. It was an uphill climb out of the valley and then across ripening wheat fields that eventually gave way to desert scrub. It wasn’t a flat ride but with rolling landscape and good roads through the expanse, much of which with a light following wind that made pedaling at 20mph. Eventually the wind faded and as we approached Grand Coulee the scrub turned back to wheat fields from which we descended along a very pleasant downhill run.

Here at the Church of the Nazarene, a Lutheran congregation, we were invited to meet down by Roosevelt Lake for a cook-out. Burgers and hot dogs were provided, along with a variety of casseroles, salads and desserts shared with fellowship. We introduced our newest rider, Daria, and said goodbye to Sue.

I returned to the church, while others stayed behind at the lake to play volleyball, and others are taking a quick tour of the dam. I have a rather sweet spot to sleep; in the window overlooking the dam and lake, to which I am about to retire. Tomorrow is a 96 mile ride during which I have volunteered to sweep.