North Cascades, WA – From the coast to the peaks

Back on American soil in Anacortes, WA.

Diablo Lake, Washington.

Diablo Lake, Washington.

The only other 2007 Lynx we saw on the road in a year of

travel.

Washington Pass.

Washington Pass.

Sunrise at Washington Pass. I was still sleeping, but Mark got some great photos.

Sunrise at Washington Pass. I was still sleeping, but Mark

got some great photos.

Washington Pass looking down at the road we'd be traveling.

Washington Pass looking down at the road we'd be

traveling.

Wasington Pass.

Wasington Pass.

Winthrop, Washington.

Winthrop, Washington.

One of several brew pubs.

Winthrop, Washington.

Winthrop, Washington.

Local bike shop in Winthrop, Washington.

Local bike shop in Winthrop, Washington.

Fiddlers Contest.

There were groups of all types up on stage and practicing

together in the grass.

The fiddlers were all ages.

Farmer's Market, Winthrop, WA

Farmer's Market, Winthrop, WA

Farmlands along the Northern Cascades.

Farmlands along the Northern Cascades.

The climate changed from wetter on the western side of the Cascades to drier as we descended the eastern slopes.

The climate changed from wetter on the western side of the

Cascades to drier as we descended the eastern slopes.

The towns along the way are small and inviting. 

We stopped in Republic, Washington and searched high and low for the visitors center, but despite several signs on the road, no one in town could help us locate it.

We stopped in Republic, Washington and searched high and

low for the visitors center, but despite several signs on the

road, no one in town could help us locate it.

Northern Cascades, Washington

 

August 25-27, 2007 - We arrived in Anacortes, Washington from Victoria, BC and,

after savoring a "burger and two beer" lunch special for a total of $7.50 at a cute little

bistro, we headed out over the Northern Cascade mountains towards Idaho.  It was a

beautiful drive.  We stopped for photos at the magical Diablo Lake where the water is a

brilliant turquoise.

While admiring the

view, we turned

and saw there was

another 2007 Lynx

travel trailer parked

nearby.  What a

surprise!  We saw only a handful of Lynxes all year -- an '05

and a few from the 1990's.  Where are all the others?

After climbing through the trees for miles and miles we came

across a scenic viewpoint at Washington Pass.  This is no ordinary

pullout.  Set back a half mile from the road there are bathrooms,

picnic tables with water spigots and a charming paved walking trail

along a spectacular ridge overlooking the winding road far below.

We took our time at this spot.

The road over the Cascades was completed in 1972, and many of

the towns along the way took that occasion to dress up a bit for the

tourists.  The very cute town of Winthrop was refurbished during the

1970's to reflect its western mining heritage, and today it is a

wonderful walking town.

When we arrived we

discovered they were hosting

a fiddling contest.  Fiddlers

from all over the west had

come to compete.  The

kids played really well.

Music seemed to be appreciated everywhere.  We stopped in another

town to pick up some goodies at the farmer's market, and a group of

musicians was entertaining people there as well.

Leaving northern

Washington we crossed into

northern Idaho where we

discovered the delightful

Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes

bike path.