Word travels amongst cyclists on the Trans Am, and one consistent message has been: “When you make it to Mitchell, OR, you’ve got to stay at the Spoken Hostel!” Staying in hostels can be commonplace for cross country cyclists. However, when you have a van, trailer and dog in tow, that’s another story. Needing a place to stay in Mitchell, Karen and Jeff were greeted warmly by Jalet and Pat, who started the Spoken Hostel as part of their mission with the Praise Assembly. From the moment Jalet was inspired by the idea of starting a hostel, miracles have fallen into place to make it a place of welcome and community. Today it serves cyclists and travelers who may have formerly passed Mitchell by. Build it and they will come was Jalet’s motto, and they are full up most nights. When Karen and Jeff stopped in, no bunks were available. Pat and Jalet offered that the van and trailer could overnight in their small parking lot and the Ross duo could avail themselves of all of the amenities of the hostel. Pat even backed the trailer across the highway and into a tight spot in the parking lot. Watching that was a true miracle.
