Day 8
May 24th
Sunday
62 Miles
From Colonial Creek Campground over Rainy Pass and Washington Pass
to Winthrop.
As we were going to bed last night a touring cyclist rode into the campground. He needed a place to set up his small tent so we shared our camp site. He was from Canada riding to Toronto through the Northern US and Southern Canada.
We were up at 4:30 am wanting to get an early start. After breaking camp we were on the bike by 6:00. The climb was steep for the first few miles. Clouds were hanging above us as we started our day then later we were above the clouds. The views on this climb to Rainy and Washington passes were spectacular. We enjoyed the beauty that surrounded us. Water falls cascaded down the mountain around almost every turn. The river followed the road most of the way up. Several times we rode with the river on one side and a rock wall on the other. We could hear the sound of the rushing river echo off the rock wall - it was a fascinating sound we would not have heard had we not been on our bicycle.
There was an easier part of the climb about halfway up with the hardest parts close to the top of each pass. Two different times we stopped to visit with other riders. These passes are a popular training ride or century ride if you climb over then back across. One couple from Seattle were on a weekend trip. They recommended we stop at the General Store in Mazama just over the pass for fresh salads, sandwiches, and homemade baked goods. The other couple from Seattle were training for the Ride The Rockies Tour. They also recommended the store in Mazama for lunch. Since it was a holiday weekend they also offered to let us share their campground space if we had problems finding a place to stay.
We finally made it to the top! There we met Zig, a touring cyclist also traveling to Maine on the Northern tier. He took a picture for us and we did the same for him. Safe travels, and good luck Zig. Maybe we will see you down the road. He has a blog on crazyguyonabike.com.
After the decent we stopped at the highly recommended store in Mazama. Best food we have had so far! On their charming patio we shared a homemade tuna sandwich on fresh baked bread, a salad with locally grown fresh greens, berries, and nuts, and a delicious berry bread pudding. The store also had organic foods, bulk foods, specialty wines, and great produce. Ronnie said it was like a miniature Whole Foods only better with the home made foods they offered. It was a very busy little store.
Our next stop was to set up camp at Barn Bicycle Camping. This is a pleasant place to camp next to a barn on the property of Jan and Jim Gregg along with Stout their sweet dog that announced our arrival. We greatly appreciated their hospitality. This was a nice place to stay with very delightful grounds. It was a clear night so the stars were spectacular. We were exhausted so we set up camp and went to bed.
Long day, my favorite Beatles song kept popping in my head "Long & Winding Road"
As we were going to bed last night a touring cyclist rode into the campground. He needed a place to set up his small tent so we shared our camp site. He was from Canada riding to Toronto through the Northern US and Southern Canada.
We were up at 4:30 am wanting to get an early start. After breaking camp we were on the bike by 6:00. The climb was steep for the first few miles. Clouds were hanging above us as we started our day then later we were above the clouds. The views on this climb to Rainy and Washington passes were spectacular. We enjoyed the beauty that surrounded us. Water falls cascaded down the mountain around almost every turn. The river followed the road most of the way up. Several times we rode with the river on one side and a rock wall on the other. We could hear the sound of the rushing river echo off the rock wall - it was a fascinating sound we would not have heard had we not been on our bicycle.
There was an easier part of the climb about halfway up with the hardest parts close to the top of each pass. Two different times we stopped to visit with other riders. These passes are a popular training ride or century ride if you climb over then back across. One couple from Seattle were on a weekend trip. They recommended we stop at the General Store in Mazama just over the pass for fresh salads, sandwiches, and homemade baked goods. The other couple from Seattle were training for the Ride The Rockies Tour. They also recommended the store in Mazama for lunch. Since it was a holiday weekend they also offered to let us share their campground space if we had problems finding a place to stay.
We finally made it to the top! There we met Zig, a touring cyclist also traveling to Maine on the Northern tier. He took a picture for us and we did the same for him. Safe travels, and good luck Zig. Maybe we will see you down the road. He has a blog on crazyguyonabike.com.
After the decent we stopped at the highly recommended store in Mazama. Best food we have had so far! On their charming patio we shared a homemade tuna sandwich on fresh baked bread, a salad with locally grown fresh greens, berries, and nuts, and a delicious berry bread pudding. The store also had organic foods, bulk foods, specialty wines, and great produce. Ronnie said it was like a miniature Whole Foods only better with the home made foods they offered. It was a very busy little store.
Our next stop was to set up camp at Barn Bicycle Camping. This is a pleasant place to camp next to a barn on the property of Jan and Jim Gregg along with Stout their sweet dog that announced our arrival. We greatly appreciated their hospitality. This was a nice place to stay with very delightful grounds. It was a clear night so the stars were spectacular. We were exhausted so we set up camp and went to bed.
Long day, my favorite Beatles song kept popping in my head "Long & Winding Road"
Flying our American Flag
Wonderful little grocery store in Twisp
They had a wonderful fresh juice bar!
Winthrop - a cute western style town
Winthrop - complete with wood sidewalks
Barn Bicycle Camping
Our Campsite at Barn Bicycle Camping
We made it!!!
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