Our last update was from sunny windy Wenatchee..we left there a
week ago and entered the "rain zone" once again. Going up over Stevens
Pass was cold windy rainy all and more. We met a an organized bike tour
heading the other direction on their light road bikes. I know that
when they saw us heading uphill into a headwind with our loaded bikes
they felt a little lighter.
Bainbridge Island was spectacularly sunny and beautiful. We had a
lovely visit with a young couple, Erin and Benson plus their new 3month
old son River. We had met on a previous GCanyon trip minus the baby!
We even got to go for an evening cruise on Puget sound straight across
from Seattle on Bensons new live aboard boat..sweeeeeeet.
Next stop was more friends, alittle older, Alan and Barbara Banks
along with Al's 92yr old mother Gratia. It was a delightful visit with
great food good conversations and games of hearts in the evenings. No I
wont brag about winning, I think it was just the wine winning. Gratia
is a gem and pretty much her memory, hearing and sense of humor is
better than mine.
Of course our ride leaving Silverdale was yet another miserable
torrential downpour(where does all the rain come from?) and to cap it
all off Stan got a record number of flat tires along a very busy hwy
..we pretty much limped into Tacoma across the narrows bridge and back
to our surrogate familiy, Jim and Gretchen, where we are now.
We are pretty well done with the bikes..well at least I am. maybe
Stan also but he wil never admit it. It is TIME to get home weve been
gone to long..."the fish are calling"
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Monday, June 25, 2012
Almost Home But Not Quite
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Down & over to Wenatchee
After a warm and sunny day in Sandpoint the weather turn a turn for the wet. We thought about leaving on June 5 but the rain was dumping and the wind was howling so we elected to wait it out a day as the 6h was supposed to be better weather. We enjoyed the local library for email and a brew pub downtown for Happy Hour at 3pm for $3 pints!
Woke up and the 6th to more rain, it had rained hard most all night, and the wind seemed to have picked up about 15 mph and temps in the high 40's. Obviously we were not going anywhere and didn't want to spend the day in the tent so we broke down and got a motel room where we were able to dry everything out, take a shower and enjoy TV for a change. Next morning the 7th dawned with blue skies and calm winds and we headed out to enjoy Northern Idaho and spent the night camped in a wet field just off the highway about 75km from Sanpoint on Hwy 20. Quiet spot and showers during the night, next morning was threatening rain so hurridly ate and packed and hit the road. We missed the rain all day despite a big black cloud the NE of us. The night of the 8th found us at "Crystal Falls" where we were able to find a small spot just away from the scenic overlook. Beautiful night with starts until about 3 and then next thing we knew at 5 was rain. Slept till about 7 and packed in the rain / wind and headed off again towards Colville, WA.
Pulled into Colville about an hour later and had breakfast in the local bar - seems to be the only breakfast spot in town! The rain had pretty much quit by the time we finished so we headed off south thru beautiful woods and meadows all day long. Very green here and not sure if it's typical or just because we have hit such a wet spell. Winds picked up in the afternoon and we ended up camping just off "Roosevelt Lake" beyond Rice, WA. It is a long lake backed up behind Grand Coulee Dam miles downriver. Beautiful sunset on our camp overlooking the lake.
Next day, the 10th, we made it to Ft. Spokane and we were down in the dry Ponderosa forests and sagebrush, a very welcome change. Camped at Ft. Spokane, splurged and spent $10 for quiet spot along the river and a picnic table! It's been great to finally have some dry, warm weather and enjoy the sunshine. Actually it got much warmer, bordering on hot, as the next day we baked on the ride to Electric City, WA and Grand Coulee Dame. Didn't stop at the dam but did find a nice spot just off the highway, next to a local park that closed down at 10pm. No camping inside the park but since we were literally about 30' away and sheltered we had a nice spot on Banks Lake with use of a table and bathroom.
Leaving Electric City on the 12th we traveled south thru a beautiful canyon on Hwy 155 to Coulee City and then down Hwy 17 to Soap, WA stopping just before town to camp where we had a year before when borrowed Marlin & Christine's classic RV on a road bike tour of WA/OR. Again we had horrendous wind all night except this time no rain. We should have just collapsed the tent and used the sagebrush for a windbreak in our bags as we didn't gt much sleep.
Wind was still howling at 7 when we finally decided to get up, pack and hit the road hoping to find a diner along the way for breakfast. Finally stopped in Quincy for breakfast and a short break from the wind. Knowing we wanted to get to Wenatchee and house for the night we pushed on and battled crosswinds headwinds for the next 40 miles or so finallly getting to Marlin & Christines about 5pm. Unfortunately they were/are in Colorado but we have enjoyed the FULL use of their home. It has been great to spend a few days resting up out of the wind enjoying the town of Wenatchee. There is a lot going on in the small town but a thriving downtown business section, a really good bike shop: Full Circle Bicycles (changed out the rear cassette, front sprokets, chain and rear detrailer cogs on our bikes yesterday - just a bit worn after 13,000km) and every Friday during the summer a free concert in the park downtown. Last nights concert was really good with "Eddyville" and "Gideon's Daughter", first night in quiet awhile that there wasn't any wind.
Tomorrow we leave for Puget Sound via either Highway 2, probably, or south and skirt Mt. Rainer on Hwy 410. It''s been good riding on nice roads here in WA/ID but we are also looking forward to putting the bikes away for a few days once we get home to AK, still three weeks away.
Woke up and the 6th to more rain, it had rained hard most all night, and the wind seemed to have picked up about 15 mph and temps in the high 40's. Obviously we were not going anywhere and didn't want to spend the day in the tent so we broke down and got a motel room where we were able to dry everything out, take a shower and enjoy TV for a change. Next morning the 7th dawned with blue skies and calm winds and we headed out to enjoy Northern Idaho and spent the night camped in a wet field just off the highway about 75km from Sanpoint on Hwy 20. Quiet spot and showers during the night, next morning was threatening rain so hurridly ate and packed and hit the road. We missed the rain all day despite a big black cloud the NE of us. The night of the 8th found us at "Crystal Falls" where we were able to find a small spot just away from the scenic overlook. Beautiful night with starts until about 3 and then next thing we knew at 5 was rain. Slept till about 7 and packed in the rain / wind and headed off again towards Colville, WA.
Pulled into Colville about an hour later and had breakfast in the local bar - seems to be the only breakfast spot in town! The rain had pretty much quit by the time we finished so we headed off south thru beautiful woods and meadows all day long. Very green here and not sure if it's typical or just because we have hit such a wet spell. Winds picked up in the afternoon and we ended up camping just off "Roosevelt Lake" beyond Rice, WA. It is a long lake backed up behind Grand Coulee Dam miles downriver. Beautiful sunset on our camp overlooking the lake.
Next day, the 10th, we made it to Ft. Spokane and we were down in the dry Ponderosa forests and sagebrush, a very welcome change. Camped at Ft. Spokane, splurged and spent $10 for quiet spot along the river and a picnic table! It's been great to finally have some dry, warm weather and enjoy the sunshine. Actually it got much warmer, bordering on hot, as the next day we baked on the ride to Electric City, WA and Grand Coulee Dame. Didn't stop at the dam but did find a nice spot just off the highway, next to a local park that closed down at 10pm. No camping inside the park but since we were literally about 30' away and sheltered we had a nice spot on Banks Lake with use of a table and bathroom.
Leaving Electric City on the 12th we traveled south thru a beautiful canyon on Hwy 155 to Coulee City and then down Hwy 17 to Soap, WA stopping just before town to camp where we had a year before when borrowed Marlin & Christine's classic RV on a road bike tour of WA/OR. Again we had horrendous wind all night except this time no rain. We should have just collapsed the tent and used the sagebrush for a windbreak in our bags as we didn't gt much sleep.
Wind was still howling at 7 when we finally decided to get up, pack and hit the road hoping to find a diner along the way for breakfast. Finally stopped in Quincy for breakfast and a short break from the wind. Knowing we wanted to get to Wenatchee and house for the night we pushed on and battled crosswinds headwinds for the next 40 miles or so finallly getting to Marlin & Christines about 5pm. Unfortunately they were/are in Colorado but we have enjoyed the FULL use of their home. It has been great to spend a few days resting up out of the wind enjoying the town of Wenatchee. There is a lot going on in the small town but a thriving downtown business section, a really good bike shop: Full Circle Bicycles (changed out the rear cassette, front sprokets, chain and rear detrailer cogs on our bikes yesterday - just a bit worn after 13,000km) and every Friday during the summer a free concert in the park downtown. Last nights concert was really good with "Eddyville" and "Gideon's Daughter", first night in quiet awhile that there wasn't any wind.
Tomorrow we leave for Puget Sound via either Highway 2, probably, or south and skirt Mt. Rainer on Hwy 410. It''s been good riding on nice roads here in WA/ID but we are also looking forward to putting the bikes away for a few days once we get home to AK, still three weeks away.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Pointhill to Sandpoint Idaho
Well here we are in great old USA..in fact its been grand this part of
northern Idaho had been a pleasant surprise. Its very inexpensive,
folks are friendly and the country quite beautiful. We even looked at
real estate because it was so inexpensive compared to our other travels.
We crossed the border from Creston into Porthill Idaho..basically a Mercantile store selling everything. It was so good to cross into USA if not because life was somewhat simpler?. The mercantile store was a classic selling everything and of course cheap beer and free coffee. We were able to camp right down by the kootenai river near the store within breathing distance of the border crossing at a very nice public picnic/camping site!!! We were later visiting by the border patrol, more out of curiosity than wrong doing. He was a very nice young man although im sure our skin was the right colour!! It was a public free area so we were not breaking any rules although it did see quite odd to me that we were allowed to camp so close to "The Border". We celebrated our return to USA by consuming a 6 pack of PBR (pabst blue ribbon) and the other classic Milwauke ice!!
Next day we headed out into blustery headwinds and rain arriving into Bonners Ferry. A delightful place at the crossroads of 2rivers and the antique car show was going on when we arrived. Due to increasingly crappy weather, as in thunderstorms followed by more thunderstorms we ended up in the Kootenai brewing company..and OMG..the special was double cheesburgers with a side for 5 dollars!! ..sorry to my vegetarian readers but this was one bad boy burger and I had to give half to Stan the man Garbueratour man! Not to mention the beer was exquisite. The rain came down and down some more the bridge was alsmost floating.
After a lovely storm free eve next to the river we headed towards sandpoint into more headwinds and rolling terrain. Sally proclaimed she needed a rest day because very ditch was staring to look invinting. We pulled into Sandpont fairground next to which was a campsite, The camphost said well we usually charge 25 bucks a night (standard camping fee!!!) but seeing you dont use any power how about 10 bucks...sweet done deal stayed 2 nights. We were the only ones there today and we get our very own picnic table and freehot showers!!! Its the small things in life.
So today happy as a clam after a rest day a breakfast of backy and eggs at our campsite a tour through town another brew pub visitation and home to cook dinner. So thanks again for everyone that does occassionly think of us ..we are blessed and we are anxious also to get home..Yoda misses us!!
We crossed the border from Creston into Porthill Idaho..basically a Mercantile store selling everything. It was so good to cross into USA if not because life was somewhat simpler?. The mercantile store was a classic selling everything and of course cheap beer and free coffee. We were able to camp right down by the kootenai river near the store within breathing distance of the border crossing at a very nice public picnic/camping site!!! We were later visiting by the border patrol, more out of curiosity than wrong doing. He was a very nice young man although im sure our skin was the right colour!! It was a public free area so we were not breaking any rules although it did see quite odd to me that we were allowed to camp so close to "The Border". We celebrated our return to USA by consuming a 6 pack of PBR (pabst blue ribbon) and the other classic Milwauke ice!!
Next day we headed out into blustery headwinds and rain arriving into Bonners Ferry. A delightful place at the crossroads of 2rivers and the antique car show was going on when we arrived. Due to increasingly crappy weather, as in thunderstorms followed by more thunderstorms we ended up in the Kootenai brewing company..and OMG..the special was double cheesburgers with a side for 5 dollars!! ..sorry to my vegetarian readers but this was one bad boy burger and I had to give half to Stan the man Garbueratour man! Not to mention the beer was exquisite. The rain came down and down some more the bridge was alsmost floating.
After a lovely storm free eve next to the river we headed towards sandpoint into more headwinds and rolling terrain. Sally proclaimed she needed a rest day because very ditch was staring to look invinting. We pulled into Sandpont fairground next to which was a campsite, The camphost said well we usually charge 25 bucks a night (standard camping fee!!!) but seeing you dont use any power how about 10 bucks...sweet done deal stayed 2 nights. We were the only ones there today and we get our very own picnic table and freehot showers!!! Its the small things in life.
So today happy as a clam after a rest day a breakfast of backy and eggs at our campsite a tour through town another brew pub visitation and home to cook dinner. So thanks again for everyone that does occassionly think of us ..we are blessed and we are anxious also to get home..Yoda misses us!!
NW Tour
Sorry for the long delay but we've been busy riding, and lately enjoying American beers!!!
We left Tacoma about 3 weeks ago I think and rode up the Hood Canal to Port Angeles visiting friends along the way and then onto Vancouver Island where we spent a week -10 day visiting more friends and enjoying wonderful sunshine and company. Naturally the day we left it was raining as we left Doug & Evelyns for the ferry. By the time we got to the ferry terminal on the mainland it was pouring down all the way into Vancouver where it finally let up. Spend a nice evening in Vancouver and headed out to cross BC via the Crows Nest Highway. Seems like we forgot that the mtns run north-south and we were riding west to east so again we had lots of passes to cross. Finally got across all but the last one and found out we could ride north from Nelson for 30km and take a ferry across the lake and then ride south along the lake to Creston an bypass the biggest pass of all. No real decision to make there!! So we hit Creston and headed south to the good ol' USA and are know in Sandpoint, ID.
Beautiful spot and real estate prices are a lot less than what we expected to see but as nice as the area is it's not probably the place for us: a bit too tame! Seems like we have hit the area in the peak of their rainy season and as we plan to head out tomorrow for WA there is another big rain storm predicted for tonight and tomorrow.
Right now we'll head west on Hwy 2 then a quick loop to the north before going back south to 2 again then to 25 before heading towards Wenatchee and finally Tacoma near the end of the month. After BC it's good to be back where prices for everything are much cheaper. We have started to try to cut down the mileage per day to enjoy the riding and scenery a bit more and make it a more relaxing end of the journes.
Sally picked my up a really good book about China and what it is "really going thru" these days - not all the roses that one often hears in the mainstream media. "Out of Mao's Shadow" is a very realistic book and the stories that are told, while we don't have first hand knowledge of the stories, we did experience the general tone of the book on our trip. Not a pleasant experience for the bulk of the Chinese people who don't have the means or the connections or the will (fortunately) to trod on their fellow citizens.
We are so blessed to live in the country we do, even including Canada. As much as we'd like to change some things there is no where else we'd prefer to be. Clean air, clean water and mostly open government!!
We left Tacoma about 3 weeks ago I think and rode up the Hood Canal to Port Angeles visiting friends along the way and then onto Vancouver Island where we spent a week -10 day visiting more friends and enjoying wonderful sunshine and company. Naturally the day we left it was raining as we left Doug & Evelyns for the ferry. By the time we got to the ferry terminal on the mainland it was pouring down all the way into Vancouver where it finally let up. Spend a nice evening in Vancouver and headed out to cross BC via the Crows Nest Highway. Seems like we forgot that the mtns run north-south and we were riding west to east so again we had lots of passes to cross. Finally got across all but the last one and found out we could ride north from Nelson for 30km and take a ferry across the lake and then ride south along the lake to Creston an bypass the biggest pass of all. No real decision to make there!! So we hit Creston and headed south to the good ol' USA and are know in Sandpoint, ID.
Beautiful spot and real estate prices are a lot less than what we expected to see but as nice as the area is it's not probably the place for us: a bit too tame! Seems like we have hit the area in the peak of their rainy season and as we plan to head out tomorrow for WA there is another big rain storm predicted for tonight and tomorrow.
Right now we'll head west on Hwy 2 then a quick loop to the north before going back south to 2 again then to 25 before heading towards Wenatchee and finally Tacoma near the end of the month. After BC it's good to be back where prices for everything are much cheaper. We have started to try to cut down the mileage per day to enjoy the riding and scenery a bit more and make it a more relaxing end of the journes.
Sally picked my up a really good book about China and what it is "really going thru" these days - not all the roses that one often hears in the mainstream media. "Out of Mao's Shadow" is a very realistic book and the stories that are told, while we don't have first hand knowledge of the stories, we did experience the general tone of the book on our trip. Not a pleasant experience for the bulk of the Chinese people who don't have the means or the connections or the will (fortunately) to trod on their fellow citizens.
We are so blessed to live in the country we do, even including Canada. As much as we'd like to change some things there is no where else we'd prefer to be. Clean air, clean water and mostly open government!!
Swimming in Sandpoint
Today finds us drying out in the library at Sandpoint and a second rest
day. The weather is nothing short of atrocious!! Another big storm
front moved in last night and high winds(would have been headwinds) and
cold rain were enough deterents to just hang out. Library now, brewpub
later. We thought the weather was bad in Bonners ferry where the
bridge looked like it was going to float away but its even worse here
today. Not much you can do on two wheels except to go with the
flow..Ha!!
So think warm thoughts and hopefully we shall see the sun again..
So think warm thoughts and hopefully we shall see the sun again..
Monday, June 4, 2012
Oh Canada
getting ready to leave the beautiful province of British Columbia,
heading for Idaho presently in Creston, B.C. We had a lovely if not
challenging trip across the Crowsnest hwy #3..a few to many summits to
summit and detoured via Nelson across Kootenay lake and down to
Creston. As beautiful as Nelson is we probably couldnt afford to live
there very expensive and somewhat exclusive. The ride along the east
side of Kootenay lake was peaceful, and secluded.
Weve really enjoyed B.C although have found it to be a little expensive and more so in the prime destinations..the price of beauty. We met a number of bikers in Hope B.C and they either died on the passes or a bear ate them as we havent seen any since. We also met a group of "hippies"!! real live hippies walking to Ottowa with kids and dogs in tow. I asked them what were they going to say. Something like " we want to be free!!" and then they were gong to dance on the lawn. I must be getting old because the message seemed kind of vague for me.
Anyhow we are well although tired and always hungry. Looking at adjusting our route a little to have more R @R on the coast before we fly home july8. We will keep you updated as long as the freindly librairies are available..
USA bound with one very large box of RED ROSE tea!!
love Sal
Weve really enjoyed B.C although have found it to be a little expensive and more so in the prime destinations..the price of beauty. We met a number of bikers in Hope B.C and they either died on the passes or a bear ate them as we havent seen any since. We also met a group of "hippies"!! real live hippies walking to Ottowa with kids and dogs in tow. I asked them what were they going to say. Something like " we want to be free!!" and then they were gong to dance on the lawn. I must be getting old because the message seemed kind of vague for me.
Anyhow we are well although tired and always hungry. Looking at adjusting our route a little to have more R @R on the coast before we fly home july8. We will keep you updated as long as the freindly librairies are available..
USA bound with one very large box of RED ROSE tea!!
love Sal
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Back on the Road
After spending some wonderful time with friends in Seattle and Tacoma we are back on the road again. We left Tacoma on Wednesday for Quilcene, on the Hood Canal. Taking the long way around we arrived at John & Shelly's after 158 km. We spent a nice evening visiting with them, last visit was 3 years ago when we rode our bikes from Tacoma to Anchorage.
Next day was a hilly 85km to Sequim to see Scott Erikson, a friend and also a member of the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group. He has a great spot just north and west of Sequim near the ocean. Early yesterday, Friday, morning he took us to Port Angeles and we took the ferry to Victoria, BC. 120 km later we were at Doug & Evelyn's in Nanaimo - a much hiller ride (at least the first 50km) than I remembered.
We'll spend the next week or so here on Vancouver Island visiting friends before we leave for the mainland. Plan right now is to ride east in Canda along the US border and drop down into western Idaho, thru McCall and then work our way back to Tacoma. All in all a 2000 mile wind-down from Asia.
It is sooo refreshing to be able to ride and enjoy the clean air, clean water, blue skies, the absence of honking horns and often just enjoy the quiet. We are happy with our decision to return home when we did and are looking forward to the late summer/fall of 2013 when we hope to ride Central Asia. Short trip and small geographical area.
Next day was a hilly 85km to Sequim to see Scott Erikson, a friend and also a member of the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group. He has a great spot just north and west of Sequim near the ocean. Early yesterday, Friday, morning he took us to Port Angeles and we took the ferry to Victoria, BC. 120 km later we were at Doug & Evelyn's in Nanaimo - a much hiller ride (at least the first 50km) than I remembered.
We'll spend the next week or so here on Vancouver Island visiting friends before we leave for the mainland. Plan right now is to ride east in Canda along the US border and drop down into western Idaho, thru McCall and then work our way back to Tacoma. All in all a 2000 mile wind-down from Asia.
It is sooo refreshing to be able to ride and enjoy the clean air, clean water, blue skies, the absence of honking horns and often just enjoy the quiet. We are happy with our decision to return home when we did and are looking forward to the late summer/fall of 2013 when we hope to ride Central Asia. Short trip and small geographical area.
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