Our last leg of the journey is from Sandpoint, Idaho to Everett, Washington; 375 miles with over 14000 feet in elevation change. We experienced most of the elevation change in the past two days biking from Almira, Washington to Skykomish, Washington. Yesterday we skirted the south end of Lake Roosevelt, before having two long climbs.

We ended up in Cherry country and 100 degree heat. I have never seen so many cherry trees as exist in the valleys just east of the Cascade Mountains. This place is loaded with cherry trees, apricot trees, pear trees and more. What a sight!

We camped at Leavenworth, another German Village along our route.

Today, we traversed the Cascade Mountains on a 34 mile climb up through Stephen’s Pass.

This was work as in 3200 feet of elevation climb, but very satisfying and the views at the top were stunning.

After the climb up, we had a steep 6 mile ride down followed by another 10 miles of down to a diner in Skykomish. Thankfully, the wind was blowing up the hill and slowed us down. (Mom’s prayers were answered.) I rewarded myself with a turkey and pastrami sandwich and an orange crush float. I handed the owner a can of Orange Crush and asked her if she could make me a float. She nodded positively, and then said: “that is a good idea. I bet that is refreshing?” Oh, was it ever. While I enjoyed my float, Craig was taking a snooze. Alan and I could not pass up this photo opportunity. Poor guy, he got tired climbing that mountain.
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Our ladies picked us up at the diner in the traveling caravan and we scurried off to the next RV Park. Dinner was spaghetti with Steve’s sausage meat sauce from Steve’s Meat Market in Minnesota.

My brother Alan and I were goofing off for dinner wearing Steve’s hats that resembled hats my dad used to wear when he worked at Chico Dairy in Morgantown, WV.

We also had some visitors for dinner. I think they have done this before.

We are down to one more day of riding….only 55 miles tomorrow till we dip our wheels in salt water!