Ride across the USA: Monday, 6/14/10 -- Wauconda to Kettle Falls, WA -- 63 mi, 316 total

Roadside old mine along the way to Sherman Pass ...... you never know what creepy things will come out of those cold, damp places. Violet (from church) told us to keep our eyes open for this.

Rocks in the sandles don't make for comfy riding.

This is what a forrest fire leaves behind.

That makes five passes in Washington Cascades mountains!!

Just another pretty view along the way.

Only had 900' to climb to Wauconda Pass (4,310') which took about 45 min. for the 5 miles. Coasted down to Republic where we ran into the Grinds again. Only took 7 hours to climb the 3,000' to Sherman Pass (5,575') -- pretty hard climb, again. The scenery on the way down was beautiful but we had to work so hard to keep under control that you couldn't see that much of it. Took 1 1/2 hr. to go down 20 miles. We were glad to have all the winter gear back on to help against the cold. We crossed the Columbia River only to go up another long hill b/4 locating campground, arriving @ 6:35. J & H picked up pizza for supper. Kirk would rather pay for a shower than one where the shower head falls off & the hot scalds b/4 you can get it controlled. Maybe when you are tired, you just notice things?

Ride across the USA: Sunday, a day of rest

The Wauconda Community Church located right next to Joe's brand-new campground. We were the first RV'ers to stay there, if you want to count a fold-down camper as an RV!

Pastor Norm and his wife, Mahashka with Jerry & Hazel in background. Yes, the church has this lone merry-go-round in the side yard.



People gathering for the morning worship service.


This young man just graduated from high school with a 3.8 -- he is in charge of getting the church opened and the fire going for everyone's comfort. This is right by the front door and the coffee, etc. is across the way.

normally I will not post Sunday activities but going to church at Wauconda will probably be one of the most memorable experiences. First of all, happy 45th anniversary to us! Sharing the spirit with 20 other believers in an old building where a young man arrives early to start the fire, with a social time of 30 min., 30 min. of singing and then a sermon about "campers" from Romans. The 2 hours went by quickly. Met Rich & Violet, who live "off the grid"; Molly saw bears on the way out her back door; Norm (the preacher) & his wife, Mahashka, plus other members of the church, including the dogs ...... and help yourself to coffee anytime.

Ride across the USA: 57 miles Omak to Wauconda, WA. -- 253 total

What better place to have a nice, quiet lunch than in the beauty of God's great creation.


You really shouldn't be looking back but sometimes it is better than staring at the "hill" in front of you!


One advantage to bicycling is that when you see little, quaint places, you actually take the time to stop and check it all out.


Nuts. This is supposed to be rotate but obviously, I didn't do something right. Anyway, this is Ed, with his leather kilt, leg wrappings and morning cup of coffee. He is the wannabe inventor referred to in the below comments.

The "pocket fuzz" jar was started when customers would reach in their pockets for $$ and blow the fuzz out of their hand. The owner would have to clean it up. One day a guy started to blow off the dust, she had a coffee cup in her hand and the rest is history. They keep smashing it down and it hasn't filled the jug yet.




Got lost going out of Omak on this beautiful hot & clear day. 10 miles down the road we come to Riverside, WA which has the most quaint antique/grocery/gas business we've seen. On the counter is a jar labeled "pocket fuzz 1986" which you put your pocket fuzz in. As we rolled into town we see Ed walking to the store -- his long not-so-clean hair, walking stick, leather kilt and leg wrappings. We had quite a conversation with him and he was most interested in Kirk's recumbant bike as he has an idea to motorize it. Recumbant Energy Transportation Assisted Recreation Device = RETARD. And he will call it RETARDED because his name is Ed. Hopefully, I'll soon be able to get pictures to transfer. On to Tonasket and the locals told us to get ready for a rough climb. No one was lying. Five to six mile stretches of 6% climbs. When we arrived at the village of Wauconda, there was a cafe/grocery/gas store due to open next week (maybe), this brand-new campground (we were the first RV's), an old school building, church & 1 mile down the road a community bldg.

Ride across the USA: Twisp to Omak, WA -- 36 mi; 198 total

On the road to Twisp, Wa. Don't know for sure, but we are guessing this is Washington Mt.


Difference in scenery as we head to Loup-Loup Pass.



There is a garden growing on the balcony of this house. I call that handy, but where does the water go when you water it???
Looking down at a gorge



The beautiful, colorful waters of the streams in the Cascades.



Today we rode Loup-Loup Pass, 4,020', which makes 3 down, 2 to go in the Cascade Mountain range. What took hours to go up, took 22 minutes to go down. The road was wet so we had to be careful going down and the road was like a ribbon, weaving its way down, one curve after another. Then you round a curve and see this long, long hill staring up at you. So, change gears and tackle it! As we are catching our breath at the top, another couple stops for a breather -- Sharon & Kyle Midkiff from Virginia. They are doing a loop of Washington state. As we climb these passes I find it interesting, as I'm struggling along, that when I feel like giving up, I feel a little tailwind giving me a boost or I hear a gurgling stream that gives you just enough lift that you actually feel like continuing on. There is only one source for that encouragement, so thank you, Lord. Stayed in Omak's "stampede" campground tonight which is what the Indians do by riding their horses in a race that includes coming down a steep hill in a narrow pack. That would be interesting to see.

Ride across the USA: 6/10/10 -- east of Washingon Pass, Cascades, to Twisp, WA. -- 45 miles, 162 Total

Ranch in the valley by Mazama


And another one ...... tough waking up to this, isn't it?

The "touristy" look of Winthrop, WA. This is where the yuppies like to hang out ....... plus a few older folks!

Remember when the advertisements were painted on the sides of buildings? I thought this one was funny ....... in Winthrop.

On the rode to Twisp ........ beautiful day for a ride in the mountains........

Today's ride was relatively easy as most of it was downhill. Our first stop was at a quaint little village, Mazama. We met Jerry & Hazel there for a snack when Don & Ginny Grind walked in looking for warmth. They had just come flying down from Washington Pass and were freezing. It was interesting where they spent the night so if you want to know, you'll have to ask us! Had a good visit then headed on to Winthrop, passing through beautiful, lush meadows. Winthrop has worked hard at being a tourist town maintaining the old buildings which make it look very "western rustic". Too many people hanging around so we went to a church parking lot & ate our normal lunch of apple, almonds, p. butter sandwich & honey. We were able to get to Twisp in pretty good time so after getting camp set up for the night we rode beyond Twisp a few miles just to get a little jump on the next day. Then we turned around and rode back which really doesn't make much sense, does it? Had a charge for the showers again, so that causes us to share the shower. Darn. Had a little fire tonight and actually felt like we were relaxing.

Ride across the USA: 6/09/10 -- 39 miles, Diablo Lake over Cascade Rainy & Washington passes -- 117 total

Kirk on the long climb up to Rainy from Diablo Lake





A look down at Diablo Lake through the rain & clouds.

A little fun to go along with the excitement of reaching our first pass in the Cascades.


What a beautiful view looking back as we head to Washington Pass, the second one of the day.



Here we are!! Feeling pretty good after going over 2 passes in one day. Now to bundle up more for the long ride down to Lone Fir .... so named because of an avalanche that left one lone fir tree standing & was a landmark for years b/4 disease caused it to be cut down.



This is a day you dread but anticipate ....... great contradiction, isn't it? We knew this would be hard as we continue the 50 mile climb to this first pass. Since we are heading to Rainy Pass it is only fitting that it rained on us most of the day. There is definitely something to be said for riding so slow as you really take in the surroundings with all the waterfalls and birds. Rainy Pass is 4,855' and we had a little fun with the snow. Then it is time to put on more winter gear for the ride downhill. Short-lived relief from the climb to Rainy of 500' because now we start climbing up Washington Pass, 5,477'. Had a group of riders with Timberline, out of Denver, pass us .... all 23 of them. They do this ride in 2 months which is a lot harder riding than I want to do -- and it only cost each of them $16,000 -- but they don't cook, carry or worry, just ride. We conquer Washington Pass and it is a great feeling!!! Time to bundle up again as we have a 2,000' decline with a 7% grade. A lot of braking to keep yourself under control. Tonight we are staying at a Forest Service campground so we know we have no services. The first problem was when the battery was dead and we couldn't get the top of the camper up! Hooked up to the van battery and was successful, just took a long time. It was cold sleeping but when you're tired, it really doesn't matter.

Ride across the USA: 6/08/10 -- Rockport, WA. to Diablo Lake, 41 miles -- total 98

We were glad to have lights in the tunnel to see the rough spots and puddles. Still scary wondering if the vehicles really will slow down.

George Dam in the Cascades, on way to Diablo Lake.



Lupine was lining the roadway. Along with the fragrance of wild roses, it was a beautiful ride.


Here comes Di, rolling along over the Skagit River.


If you could stand the cold, you could take a shower in this waterfall......



This was our destination as it is the only campground before the first two Cascade passes. As a result, we took a little more time to sight-see along the way. There was quite a bit of climbing today. The road was extremely rough, so bad the bike wouldn't have rolled if we had been going downhill. Once we made it to hwy. 2 it was better riding. We had two tunnels to go through today, one which was short. The longer one required us to push a button that would signal on both ends of the tunnel that there was a biker inside and to slow down to 35 mph. Like most tunnels, it was dripping water and with this being uphill it seemed like we were inside it for a long time (I'm sure it actually wasn't). The Grind's sent home a big box of items they now know they can live without. I'm also finding out just how bad of shape I am actually in!!