Day 6: To Republic and Gold Mountain RV Park

10 years ago today, I married my best friend. In my vows,  I promised her adventures far and near. This adventure is of the former. 

I love you, Rhonda. Period. 

Yesterday, back in Tanasket, we enjoyed a leisurely, peaceful afternoon. Most of ii on a deck built under a giant old Sycamore tree. Shannon’s Place is the place to be. The big Sycamore  provided respit from the hot afternoon sun. After arriving around noon thirty we enjoyed a cold hard ice cream cone. Closing at 3, we decided to hold off on real food until 2:30 especially since our Red Rooster brunch in Omak kept hangry away. Shannon’s Place offers cyclist a place to pitch a tent, which we did later in the evening. Until then, I sat under the old tree with a cold beverage just being. 

A friend and colleague of mine, Mike Senn, told me of a river trip where he was encouraged to “just be”. Just enjoy the moment. I’m reading the book “The Ruthless Elimination Of Hurry” by John Mark Comer. He expands on the concept of just being. Hurry starves you of the Spirit. It takes away our love, peace , and joy. Comer states, “there’s a secret to happiness-present to the moment. The more present we are to now, the more joy we tap into”. 

As I sat under the Sycamore, I think I was experiencing a rare moment of that joy of just being. 

Shannon’s is not just a roadside spot for the traveler. Many locals come to enjoy the shade on the deck. There was a bunch of ladies sitting around a table, sipping white wine and talking about old men. Others came to sit and conduct a little business. Still others to eat. But let’s not forget to mention the food and the service. Just like homemade and portions that rivaled grandma’s dinner on the farm. 

After closing Shannon sat with her staff and discussed menus, specials, purchase orders, and training of the help. The Rona hit these small business owners hard. She and her husband Roger weathered it. But now find it difficult to find more help to fully reopen. But she is optimistic. 

Later, when it quiets down, Roger returns home from a road trip and the couple share dinner together on the deck, now their own private dinning room, which they share with us cycling travelers. They tell us stories how they first started 30+ years ago. How they value character when they hire staff, then train them for the tasks needed. And it shows. Their staff are the best. Hard workers, friendly, and engaging. 

Shannon and Roger bought some dirt in the bench over looking the Okanagon Valley from the Canadian border to the town of Okanagon. From there they plan to build their retirement home, watch the neighbors kids rumble and roam and sit together and just be. 

We pitched our tent as the sun set and the air cooled. In spite  of the highway traffic we slept soundly, awoke early as Roger and Shannon’s girls prepared for the morning breakfast crowd. Even before the 7am open, some old guys, probably husbands of the gals sipping white wine, filtered into the restaurant and took their accustomed seating assignments and drank coffee that Roger prepared earlier. As they waited for the breakfast orders they sat around and talked about…well,whatever us old guys talk about with a cup of coffee in hand. 

Soon our breakfast was served, again cooked and served by the best of staff. Fueled up and packed up, we said goodbye to Roger and Shannon and their staff, and the deck under the old Sycamore. 

Our route today started up the hill with no warning or warmup. And up 3600 feet in 27 miles we pedaled. But after the first five miles the canyon opened up and we rode through a high valley with broad views of forested hillsides and valley floor pastures. I could only imagine what it would be like to work these ranches a hundred years ago before satellites and the internet. 

After a couple of hours we passed Chris and Patty as they keep pedaling towards home in Maine. By mile 24 or 25 we thought we were done climbing but it only got steeper. Then, just as I thought I couldn’t do it anymore I saw the sign for Wauconda Pass. Then a nice 13 mile descent into Republic, WA known for ranching, mining, timber and recreation  and now an award winning brewery. 

Camp is at the Gold Mountain RV park where we will meet Mark and Becky, and Clate tomorrow. Mark and Clate join us on bikes for the next six days of riding. Rhonda and I will take a rest day and hang out in camp, which tonight for our 10th anniversary is a Tipi.