A Nice Relaxing Ride.

[Water Warrior 2]

Here goes. Started our little adventure a week ago.

Saturday: Woke up to an overcast ugly day. Cool and looked like rain. Puttered around and loadedup the bikes with hopes of a change in the weather. 2 P.M. and we hit the road late as usual. Rain suits are handy and we are dressed warm. Headed South on the Sea to Sky highway through Vancouver and to the Washington Border at I-5. Stopped at Burlington for the night. No rain and the temps were better throughout the day so we are pleased with the first day. Not a long ride but then none of the days were filled with many kms(miles) but very relaxing and calm.

[Water Warrior 2]

Sunday: Woke up to a beautiful morning with sunshine and 2 bikes ready to go go go. Breakfast next door and gas within a half block so we are ready to go into the morning sun almost instantly. Headed east on #20 towards Sedro Woolley, Lyman, Hamilton, Rockport and Marblemount. After Marblemount we came to Ross Dam. Great pic ops for those who can operate a camera. Good roads with elevation changes and some curves to keep things entertaining. They call this Blue Sky country for a reason. Almost too much to describe with words alone. Carried on to Mazama and landed in Winthrop for the night. Winthrop on a Sunday afternoon is full of bikes, cars, bicycles and folks from all walks of life. Winthrop has a Wild West Theme to attract tourism and keep the economy healthy. It works too. Wooden sidewalks, saloons, dry goods stores all looking just right. Did a walk around till we found a wooden cabin for the night. Maybe wooden and a bit dated looking but quite a new cabin with a hot tub and all the right stuff for travellers. Hot tub felt real fine and the warm evening air was just right. What will tomorrow bring.

[Krazy Kraut]

Sounds like alot of fun and too much relaxation! Have fun tomorrow!
Krazy Kraut Rider

[Water Warrior 2]

Monday: Good Morning Winthrop. Did beakfast at Three Fingered Jack's Saloon and bought a T-shirt there. Jack's is the oldest legal saloon in the state. Finished our walk around of the town, packed up and were on the road by noon. None of this 8 A.M. stuff for us. East and onward to Twisp. Still on #20 and top Loup Loup Summit at 4020 ft. elevation. Mountain riding is the best by far and it doesn't matter what you ride. Stopped in at Okanagon for a break at the visitor centre. Looking at the big map on the wall and tracing out a North route back to the GWN. A nice Lady asks if we have been to Grand Coulee Dam. Huh, uh no but always wanted to go there. Change of direction almost instantly. Headed NorthEast for 5 or 6 miles and headed East on #155. Rode to the city Of Coulee Dam and marvelled at the Dam site. Wow, is that sucker big !!! Got a room in town that overlooked the dam and the outfall. The best is yet to come.

[Water Warrior 2]

Monday night: Sat on a hill top by an American flag and watched a laser light show on the face of the dam. They run water down the face to create a white-ish background and have at it. 3 banks of lasers and piped in music and vocal documentary about the dam and it's history. 38 minutes of pure entertainment and knowledge to soak up. Life is good. A little TV and a sound night's sleep.

[Water Warrior 2]

Tuesday: Leave town after a hearty breakie. Riding S.E. on #174 to Wilbur. North from Wilbur for 14 miles. M-M Good. The last few miles are brand new pavement, twisties, elevation changes, hair pins and beautiful scenic views. The road ends and all there is is water. Just wait 15 minutes and a ferry will be along shortly. Gotta get across all that Dam Water on the Keller Ferry. The next 40 to 50 minutes after the ferry were truly amazing. We were all alone on the highway. Nothing moving and no one in sight. A Heavenly ride on a bike. Continued North to Republic on #21. From Republic we rode West to Tonasket on #20. Stayed for the night.

[Water Warrior 2]

Wednesday: Had a tasty breakie and headed North to the border. Declared 2 packs of smokes and a T-shirt each and we are on home soil again. Within minutes we are in stupid traffic and can't just cruise along at our own pace. Onto Highway #3 and a ride on the Hope-Princeton Highway. Really nice till some doffus wants your space. Oh well, ride defensively. Very scenic and beautiful area. Great in the summer but winter can bury you in snow while you drive. Been there done that. Stopped to have a short visit with a friend of ours outside of Princeton. Carried on to Abbotsford for the overnight landing.

[Water Warrior 2]

Thursday: Looks like the end of the road today. Will be home this after noon. The usual traffic snarls and delays on #1 are in full swing. Abbotsford to the West side of Vancouver is a bit of a nightmare after just cruising at our own pace in Washington on the secondary highways. From West Vancouver to Squamish is my kinda road. Sweepers, curves, twisties, call em what you want, some elevation changes and all on new pavement. It is never boring and really hard not to at least keep up to traffic which disregards the speed limits. Someday I will get stopped for flying low. Actually the speed limit signs are just a suggestion till a cop shows up. Now we are home. First stop Star Bucks.

[Water Warrior 2]

Friday: Comments about our trip. Do it folks. The ride through Washington is just a rider's dream and just right for almost any size bike. A GZ would be right at home on the secondary roads and be an absolute hoot in the twisties and hairpins in the mountains. We rode through open range country, miles of orchards with fresh fruit, met some wonderful friendly people and spent less than anticipated. Total trip was actually short distance wise but very refreshing for the soul. 1300 kms(800 miles) is not high for a 6 day ride but we decided that distance is not the determining factor for a trip. It is the quality of the ride. Yes we stopped a lot and played look when something scenic showed on the horizon. That's what it is all about in our opinion.

[happyhobo]

very well said. It was a GRRRrrrrreat ride. Back to work for me tomorrow....blahhhhhh