cycling from Seattle 2017

72 miles to Eureka    A very, very hot 72 miles along Lake Koocanusa, formed by the dam above Libby-yes cycled to that first.The lake/reservoir extends for about 78 miles. I think it was built in about 1970. I am not saying there was no shade, but the blasted rock sides meant that in places it was limited.     Passed at about 50 miles the Lake Koocanusa bridge, built in 1972; it is the tallest and longest bridge in Montana. Apparantly it won a beauty award as best something or other in the world. Not a bad bridge, but I do not think 1972 was the best year for achitecture!      Am now in Eureka,camped in the yard of Nikki from warmshowers. She does not get back from work until 10 pm so she left me a note with instructions. e.g. where to put the tent and to have a shower. The baby sitter was there to let me in. She was watching TV with the little girl, because the little girl likes to watch TV (or is it the baby sitter?)

Cycled 72 miles in Idaho Just the little tip at the North FACTS: It is the home of potatoes- it says so on the car number plates- but I never saw any growing. The people like to go fishing. Only 72 miles that's it!

72 miles to Libby in Montana         10 miles in Idaho, 62 in Montana Another scenic ride through forests past lakes. Went past the Cabinet mountains went to some waterfalls on the river, and there was a swing bridge - a bit like a bigger version of Rogie Falls   Staying in an RV park as is Owen the Korean from Portland Oregon. He is not impressed by the food. We went out for a meal (he checks on his i-phone to find a suitable place) The chosen Mexican Restaurant was shut, so we ended up in an American diner. Had steak (which was good), a very limp salad, I had the fries, but he chose the baked potato -big mistake!      I love the Montana rivers.

A short day just 27 miles to Clark Fork. I enjoyed my motel last night. Had another look around the town this morning, and still arrived early.  A great cycle alongside lake Orielle once I had got past the edge of town road network.  There is an amazing railway line alongside the lake, which would compete with the Kyle of Lochalsh line for beauty, hope the goods train carrying rocks appreciates it. So am waiting until I can go to Annies Orchard a warmshowers host who lets you camp well in her orchard! Another small town with an excellent wholefood bakery. Have just eaten a chocolate brownie.      The Idaho car plates read Scenic Idaho Famous Potatoes

59 miles 25 in  Washington state and  34 in Idaho Met Garry in Newport. It was good of him to drive up from Spokane to see me We had a great natter about cycling matters and trips. Then the weather being good (a little bit of cloud and the wind behind me ) I cycled beside the Pend Oreille river to Sandpoint (there were a few hills mind).    Sandpoint is just one of those places where you want to stay. The cycle route in takes you over a long bridge over the lake. The pacific railway has its own bridge next door. Then when you arrive there are children cycling bikes, along cycle paths, near the boat marina and by the city beach.       The main street is lined with cafes, bakery, ice cream shop were I brought a Huckelberry cone and a couple of outdoor shops.      Then to please some I noticed a least four micro breweries and a winery. No camp site though. So am staying in a motel. A treat for completing the first of the...

A rough calculation but have cycled approx. 1194 miles in Washington state. 624 with Keith and 570 since he left. FACTS Washington is known as the evergreen state. It says so on the car number plates There are a lot of trees There are a lot of lakes There are a lot of wholefood shops There are a lot of hills Quotes From Andy cyclist at cycle only camp site "the need for food is over rated"                    (we had all just cycled over Washington pass and food                                                                          was limited" From Keith to me on leaving "mind the traffic and eat an apple a day"

Have entered Idaho. Still need to add up my mileage for Washington State. But a lot of mountain passes, a lot of trees, lakes, bears (well only one- but a lot of signs for them) , wholefood shops, heat. Through native Indian areas. Plus thunder and lightning last night. Drinking the gatorade, eating the apples and being careful of the traffic.

Sunday 57 miles   Last night I stayed with Angela and her family from Warmshowers. They run a small holding in the hills. Angela very kindly picked me up from the Safeway in Colville, with her pick up truck. My heat wilted self, bike and belongings were taken up to the farm.   A lovely family, they keep lots and lots of animals:Icelandic sheep, lambs, goats (I milked one), Jersey cows, (one is expecting a calf today), chickens, ducks, turkeys, horses, and my favorite- the geese. The geese had been moved to a new enclosure, and were not impressed so they kept trying to get out.    Lots of strawberries to eat for those that want some. Hay making was in progress and the girls had been hoisting bales. A great stop over. Monday 82 miles A pleasant cycle through rolling forests. Not so hot today, but still needed the gatorade Camped in the fairgrounds site at Cusick.Have just cycled 20 miles into Newport and am waiting to meet Garry.

Am now sitting in a wholefood cafe in Kettle Falls. Have crossed the Columbia River, been over the Sherman Pass (over 5400 feet)  and seen the Sherman Lake (resevoir).     A beautiful cycle No snow at the top but great views It is very hot so I was cycling by 05.45am to reached the top before the heat got too much. A great gradual cycle down with no switchbacks.     Passed 'Little America', a camp for the conservation corps from the 1930's. During the depression so many men were unemployed that this initiative of Roosevelt's engaged single unemployed young men to build roads, hiking trails and undertake conservation work. The hiking trails still exist today. The men were given three meals a day plus accomodation (with sheets on the beds) and paid a dollar a day. They had to agree to 25 dollars a month of their money being sent back home to their families. The camps were run as far as I can make out by ex military men. But a lot of good work was done.   ...

41 miles to Republic.  Over the Wauconda Pass at 4310 feet.   Tonasket where I stayed last night was a good place. Settled by hippies over 40 years ago they are now growing old. Still mellow in the way they talk. The wholefood cooperative was celebrating 40 years with a free barbecue and very nice it was too. Then I camped for free in the place allocated for cyclists behind the police station.      Have lost a lot of height and the land is now dry, irrigated.and on the Okanagan River. On the way I went into the most amazing western shop filled with stetson hats and cowboy shoes. A lot of dead rattle snakes on the road     Today was up and cycling by 6am to get up some of the climb before the heat. It was good to see the trees again. However, difficult to stop and rest because of ants, flies and rattle snakes.   Am now in Republic which is pretty, with wooden houses, museum, restaurants and tourists. It is very hot so will have to leave the S...