Day 4. To Okanagon via Loup Loup Pass

What a difference a day and a summit pass make! Yesterday we cruised down the backside of Washington pass in some cool drizzle with nice tailwind pushing us. We split a turkey pesto sandwich at the Goat market in Mazama and continued on Winthrop. After a nice rest, we cruised down the road to Twisp for breakfast, or possibly brunch. 

We’ve met many great folks. Yesterday on Rainy Pass, a couple walked up to us with the usual questions: where are you from?,  where are you going?, how long will it take?, you’re incredible! Last night that same couple saw our bikes parked in front of the market and came looking for, making sure we found a place to camp. Then in Twisp while eating breakfast/brunch, a guy, looking very much like Yvon Chouinard walked up to us, bowed and said, “ you guys are impressive. We passed you yesterday on the North Cascade highway and were so impressed.” Then the usual questions and standard responses. Maine!? Say again how far? 

Decending down the Methow River soon ended, leaving the valley we started climbing again up to Loup Loup Pass. We met our fourth biking couple, Chris and Patty from Maine. They are our mirror image. They flew to Seattle and our biking home to Maine. He’s the extrovert, she the quiet one. Looking forward to seeing them on the road soon. 

The country has changed from Pacific Northwest rain forest to a drier Ponderosa Pine mix and now sage brush steppe.  My friend Johna was right. It wouldn’t take time before we wished we had the cooler and damper climates. Rhonda even wanted to run through someone’s yard sprinklers. 

After a warmer climb up to Loup Loup, we had a sweat descent on long stretches of fresh smooth brandy new tarmac. Then halfway down some engineer with a cute sense of humor put in a 10% bump in the road. The legs didn’t have much left in them. But we coasted into Okanagon through orchards and vineyards. Not much was open in town but we did find a taco truck and found a motel with a soft bed and AC. (We’ve gone from near freezing to near 90 in 24 hours…yeah you’re right, I should be used to that.). 

Ok it’s time for a shower and then hopefully the BBQ and Brew with deck seating will open for dinner. 

Jon