Back on American soil in Anacortes, WA.
Diablo Lake, Washington.
The only other 2007 Lynx we saw on the road in a year of
travel.
Washington Pass.
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.
Wasington Pass.
Winthrop, Washington.
One of several brew pubs.
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
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 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.
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.