Washington Pass Reduex

The American Alps. This time with less snow. Many waterfalls, large and small, passing by them at 4mph you can smell the crisp melting snow.

There was a few miles of road work with a pilot car, impassable for bicycles, so the construction company had a schoolbus shuttle just for cyclists. A perfect driver too- waiting just for us. A big Harley guy with tattoos,  very happy for such a gravy job he said. He helped lift Richs 100lb loaded bike, then picked up my 45lb tank and said this is light!

I am very happy with the trailer setup. This time I installed skinnier tires with earthguards to be much easier with less resistance, and even though the trailer weighs out a little more, it is more aerodynamic. I don't feel as "done" by the end of a long day.  It is a challenge on the rainy, steep, slick surface on the east side of the pass- the trailer's weight was pushing the bike, felt fishtaily, could barely stop it. But usually I can handle it to 35 mph.

Diablo Lake

some unexpected climbing and a narrow dark tunnel gave a good workout today. The tunnel was scary because so many Sunday drivers flying past probably wouldnt pay attention to flashing "bicyclists in tunnel" sign.  So we attached every little blinking light and reflective we had to the backs of our bikes, and tried to race through it, but it was uphill. 

Getting some elevation. Thats the view from the bridge, riding by Skagit river.

Arlington to Diablo

Only one thing needs to be said about this stage- Cascade Organic Fruit Stand, which we planned our day around berry shortcake and ice cream for lunch. Stayed for an hour and kept going back for more. 

Starting through the foothills to the pass.

Issaquah to Arlington to Concrete

Making good miles- 55 yesterday and 60 today. Feels a little like that game Chutes and Ladders- didn't we already cover Washington, and we have to do Washington Pass again? But Rich is a genuine purist, wouldn't consider driving 1000 miles into the trip, we are truly going the whole route point to point.

Yesterday we had planned to stay at River Meadows State Park, but GPS sent us down the wrong road so we headed back into town. It was too late to make it a motel 5 miles away, so we saw this church- perhaps they would let us set up our tent there?  No one answered to ask, but this little bible sculpture was by the door- we figured they wouldn't mind since we would leave early.

On the way to Concrete I took some nice pictures of Mt. Baker between foothills and Skagit Valley farms, but the camera didn't save them properly.  :-(

Regrouping, Rewinding, Rerouting

Had to return to Seattle short notice.  Instead of driving back to Yellowstone to pick up where we left off, we've decided to do the Northern Tier, which runs closer to the Canadian Border.  Will be starting the second trip out next week.

First pictures of the wildlife-

The sport in Yellowstone seems to be tagging wildlide by photo. A bear! Elk! Sleeping Bison! All within a few yards of the road, which is lined with cars, winnebagos, and tourists with cameras trying to get as close as stupidly possible.  You're driving along and there are cars parked by side (or even blocking the road) What do they see?!?  What is it?!? Is it a bear?!? On the short detour to see the Petrified tree, 20 cars blocked the narrow road, with people walking up to the center with cameras. Its like you're going to the fair and there's not enough parking so they park up the road and walk in.  So what do I do? We eventually drive squeezing past, and I take a picture through the window. I am so ashamed.

That seems tone the dilemma of this park. Should it be wild? Or should this wilderness experience be a "park" belong to the people, accessable by short paved easy path. There are even "villages" of Disneyworld-like stores and convenience foods. I feel it has been loved to death. 

Yet, just a day ago two hikers were just a mile or so into the park on an established path, (which only 2% of visitors seem to go beyond 1/3 mile it seems.)  They saw a mama grizzly bear with 3 cubs, ignored the danger, (its her territory!) and blithley continued. The two hikers were mauled, killing one, the first fatality by a bear in the park since 1984. The rangers decided mama just being a bear, protecting her cubs, so they closed the trail and area, and are letting her be.

West Yellowstone- milestone! 1000 miles

Passed a motivated and cheerful group of college- age cyclists crossing the country the other direction Illini4000.org. Fun to talk with them- Best of Luck, and I would tell them they will go far in life, but it seems they already have!

Passed by many fly fishers, the main sport in this part of Montana. Waters are still high, kinda brown for fish but improving.

So glad to make it to West Yellowstone. mile 1000! One rest day to visit the park, (by car lol) then a day riding south over a major pass and the continental divide, through the park and camping not far from Old Faithful, then the day after our direction heads true east.

Next post or two will be about Yellowstone Park.