8/1/08
Spectacular. Stunning. There is no other way to describe the Northern Cascades. Since this was the last day the wives would be with us, we accompanied them to Anacortes and a craft fair. To a Toad attending a craft fair is the equivalent of watching grass grow. However, I did pick up a picture of our mascot, which I will frame and hang in my office when I get home. Taking a cue from the Toads Gailbird asked a local for a good place to eat. The somewhat surprising reply was a bowling alley. This was a new experience, a restaurant in a bowling alley. The food turned out to be really good although we believe they had to go out and slaughter a pig to get some ham for Stinger's sandwhich. After having said goodbye to the wives, the Toads headed off across WA 20 through the Cascade Range. We thought we had seen the mother of all scenery in Glacier National Park, but the best was yet to come with miles and miles of deep canyons, waterfalls, craggy snow covered peaks and rushing mountain streams. The weather was cool, cold actually, like 48 degrees through Rainy Pass. The grip heaters were a much appreciated feature on two of the Toad bikes, but the other less fortunate Toad could not enjoy that luxury. At one point we stopped and doubled back about ten miles just to get a good picture of some waterfalls. Because of its magnitude it is hard to capture the scene in pictures. Our campsite was a KOA in Winthrop, and this would be our third night of tenting since no camping cabins were available. Accommodations are tight right now due to Sturgis and a Canadian holiday. After setting up camp, we headed into Winthrop for some grubb (that is western lingo for food). We ended up at the Duck, which had outdoor seating, but it was a late supper. Heading back to the campground Uncle Eddie stopped at the post office to mail his application for a doe permit in PA this fall. We have to admit that the guy is prepared. It was a cold night, but the Toads were prepared.

8/2/08

Leaving Winthrop behind we headed to the Grand Coulee Dam. The weather has been great for riding, which is unusual for the high plains. It is usually stinking hot, but with low humidity. In fact the campground manager last night told us that it is only 7%. The Grand Coulee Dam, the biggest generator of electicity in the U.S., is 1 mile across the breast and is as high as the Space Needle in Seattle. On this leg of the trip we found gas availability to be a problem. Uncle Eddie had filled up in Winthrop the night before, but the Beemers had to stretch the tanks to 240 miles. Actually, it turned out to be not that much of a stretch as we had a gallon and a half left when we found fuel. The rest of the day was uneventful, but we are tenting again tonight. We are getting good at setting up and breaking camp. See you tomorrow.