Front Tire Dip On Pacific Coast!

Front Tire Dip!
Originally uploaded by TourForLife.org.

In the late afternoon we cycled over a bridge to Fidalgo Island and reached the Pacific coast town of Anacortes, Washington. At the beach we were greeted by Greg's wife, Lori, and Lori's father and we dipped our front bicycle tires into the Rosario Strait to signify the successful completion of a 4,943 mile coast-to-coast bike tour!

We thank everyone who supported us and made it possible for us to successfully complete this tour and we thank everyone who contributed to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Day 89 Recap: 5 Miles West of Concrete, WA to Anacortes, WA (57 miles)

Self-Kicking Club Inductees

Induction Into The Self-Kicking Club
Originally uploaded by TourForLife.org.

This afternoon we inducted ourselves into The Self-Kicking Club in Rockport, WA. Having just completed an arduous trek through the Cascade Mountains, we figured we deserved membership status in this elite club.

We Thank Today's Fans For Life:
John - Allowed us to camp on his property along the Skagit River.

Day 88 Recap: Colonial Creek Cmpgrd, WA to 5 miles west of Concrete, WA (52 miles)

North Cascades Scenic Highway

Ascending To Washington Pass
Originally uploaded by TourForLife.org.

Today we cycled the North Cascades Scenic Highway over Washington Pass and Rainy Pass. After a long ascent, we finally reached Rainy Pass by late afternoon and at this point we relished the thought that it is basically all downhill from the pass to the the Pacific Coast.

After relishing this thought, we set off on an unforgettable descent through a deep and narrow gorge. As we winded through the gorge, the perspective was fantastic as we saw steep, jagged mountain peaks high above and a bottomless ravine far below . . .

We Thank Today's Fans For Life:
Holly & Andre - Encouraged us to continue the long ascent to Washington Pass and invited us to visit their bakery on Lopez Island once we reach the Pacific Coast.

Day 87 Recap: Twisp, WA to Colonial Creek Cmpgrd, WA (74 miles)

Pocket Fuzz Collection

Pocket Fuzz Collection, Riverside Grocery Store
Originally uploaded by TourForLife.org.

After riding through a heavy downpour this morning, we stopped at the grocery store in Riverside, WA to dry out and while waiting for our things to dry, we felt obligated to contribute to the grocery store's pocket fuzz collection. We also hoped to contribute to the belly button lint collection, but unfortunately we did not have any offerings at the time.

We Thank Today's Fans For Life:
Sarin at "The Bike Shop" - Let us borrow the shop's pump so we could pump up our tires.
John - Customer at "The Bike Shop" who told us to keep "spinning and grinning" as we left the bike shop in Okanogan, WA this afternoon and started a long climb over Loup Loup Pass.

Day 86 Recap: Tonasket, WA to Twisp, WA (64 miles)

Cycling Into A Snow Storm?

Sherman Pass - Elevation 5,575'
Originally uploaded by TourForLife.org.

This morning we broke camp in a cold, misty rain and set off on a long ascent to Sherman Pass. During our ascent, we tried to stay as warm and dry as possible, but as we climbed higher the temperature dropped and an increasing wind started blowing the rain sideways.

When we finally reached the pass we checked the temperature on our themometer. The themometer read 34°F. At this point we realized if the temperature had been a couple degrees lower, we may have been cycling into a snow storm!

We Thank Today's Fans For Life:
Clif Brown - Enjoyed chatting with Clif and his wife, Melissa in Republic, WA as they were on the last day of a week-long motorcycle tour and they encouraged us to continue over Wauconda Pass, our second pass of the day.

Day 85 Recap: Canyon Creek Cmpgrd, WA to Tonasket, WA (78 miles)

Preparing For 5 Mountain Passes ...

Preparing For 5 Mountain Passes . . .
Originally uploaded by TourForLife.org.

While eating dinner this evening we looked over our maps and tried to mentally prepare for the upcoming challenge of cycling over five mountain passes in the next three days . . .

Tonight we will camp in the Colville National Forest near Kettle Falls and tomorrow morning we will begin an ascent to our first major pass in the Cascade Mountains, Sherman Pass.

Day 84 Recap: Ione, WA to Canyon Crk Cmpgrd, WA (67 miles)

Where's Washington State?

Where's Washington State?
Originally uploaded by TourForLife.org.

Our anticipation of reaching Washington grew this morning we looked at our map and determined we were only 20 miles away from Newport, which is a town on the Washington state line. We looked forward to reaching the thirteen and final state on our bicycle tour and we planned to take a picture of the state welcome sign to document this milestone.

However, when we rolled into Newport this afternoon, we did not see a state welcome sign. So we wandered the town streets looking for a welcome sign and after searching unsuccessfully for a couple hours we began to wonder if we were even in Washington! As a last resort, we questioned a local man and he confirmed that we were in Washington State, but then told us with a big grin that there isn't a welcome sign since as he put it, "they did not want us to know we were in Washington . . ."

We Thank Today's Fans For Life:
Karen - Offered to get us a room at Riverview Motel in Ione, WA.

Day 83 Recap: Round Lake State Park, ID to Ione, WA (82 miles)

Smokey Kehoe & Sons - Master Builders

Smokey Kehoe & Sons
Originally uploaded by TourForLife.org.

Yesterday evening we watched in amazement as Connie’s neighbor, Smokey Kehoe, wrestled massive tree timbers onto a blazing saw mill in his front yard and skillfully cut gigantic logs into precise wood beams in a matter of minutes! Smokey was cutting these wood beams for his new home and he continued working vigorously past dusk before he joined us for dinner at Connie’s home.

Over dinner we enjoyed chatting with Smokey as he spoke with a feisty New England accent and eagerly questioned us about our travels. Our curiosity over Smokey’s accent increased as we chatted, but eventually we learned he grew up in Boston and then in his late childhood he moved to Portland, Oregon where he learned the home building trade.

So sure enough, as we camped in the town park across the street last night, we awoke this morning to a loud buzzing noise as Smokey and his two sons fired up their mill to begin the day’s work. We welcomed this as a final opportunity to watch this family of master home builders apply their trade and prior to departing they wished us well on the rest of our trip.

Day 82 Recap: Clark Fork, ID to Round Lake State Park, ID (41 miles)

Alaskan Fish Dinner At Connie's

Connie Cooks An Alaskan Fish Dinner
Originally uploaded by TourForLife.org.

This evening we enjoyed an incredible Alaskan fish dinner at the home of Connie Morris. We met Connie, a librarian, this afternoon while visiting the public library in Clark Fork, Idaho. Connie commutes to work on a scooter and when she heard about our bicycle travels she proudly showed off her scooter and then generously invited us to her home for dinner.

Connie also invited her spirited neighbor, Smokey Kehoe, to join us for dinner and so we enjoyed chatting with both of them about their storied lives in the Northwest. Connie grew up in Alaska before it was a state and she recollected the controversial election process the people went through to decide whether the territory should become a state. Smokey moved to Oregon late in his childhood and having moved several times throughout the Northwest as a home builder, he explained how the region has experienced a population boom and significant development since his childhood.

While enjoying the dinner, we learned that Connie had just returned from a vacation in Alaska and the fish we were eating had come from her recent trip!

Day 81 Recap: Savage Lake, MT to Clark Fork, ID (52 miles)

The Kootenia River Valley

Kootenia River Valley Near Libby, MT
Originally uploaded by TourForLife.org.

This morning we rode along the shoreline of Lake Koocanusa, which was created after the construction of the Libby Dam in 1970. By midday we reached the lake’s end at the Libby Dam and from this point we enjoyed a beautiful ride along the Kootenia River. While riding through the river valley we took in spectacular views of surrounding mountain ridges and enjoyed watching fly fishermen practicing their art in the river below.

Day 80 Recap: Lake Koocanusa Bridge, MT to Savage Lake, MT (75 miles)

Montana-Sized Garbage Cans

Montana-Sized Garbage Cans
Originally uploaded by TourForLife.org.

We have seen these monster garbage cans along country roads and at curbsides in Montana for the past several days and have started wondering why they are so gigantic. Given our curiosity, we have even questioned some locals as to the reasoning behind the "Monster Can", but as of yet the story behind these super-sized cans still remains a mystery?

Day 79 Recap: Whitefish, MT to Lake Koocanusa Bridge, MT (74 miles)

Steve & Dylan Hill & "The Silver Box Of Hospitality"

Steve & Dylan Hill In Whitefish, MT
Originally uploaded by TourForLife.org.

Several days ago, Steve Hill and his son, Dylan generously invited us to stay at their home in Whitefish, Montana and as we rolled into their town late this afternoon we graciously accepted their invitation. We greatly appreciate the Hill's hospitality as we enjoyed chatting with them this evening over an excellent home-cooked steak dinner and tonight we will be able to sleep in comfortable beds in Steve's camper trailer, which we learned is often referred to as "The Silver Box Of Hospitality"

We Thank Today's Fans For Life:
Shane & Annette - We met Shane this morning as he prepared to leave Sprague Creek Campground to bicycle over Logan Pass. We enjoyed chatting with Shane and his wife Annette, and we greatly appreciate the breakfast Annette cooked for us at their camp site.

Day 78 Recap: Sprague Creek Campground, Glacier Natl. Park, MT to Whitefish, MT (46 miles)

Glacier National Park

Terminus Of Sperry Glacier
Originally uploaded by TourForLife.org.

Today we explored Glacier National Park on foot and did a day hike to the terminus of Sperry Glacier. Looking at the glacier up close was spectacular. The glacier had a strong white glow as light reflected from the glacier's icy surface this white glow sharply magnificantly contrasted with dark gray colors of deep crevasses and dark ice caves. This unique site truely seemed extraterrestrial and for a while it felt like being on the moon!

See Photos - Appreciating a forest of towering pine trees, an encounter with a wild mountain goat and alpine wildlife while doing a day hike in Glacier National Park.
Day 77 Recap: Hiked in Glacier National Park, MT (2 miles)

Over The Hump And Pooped

Children's Book At Logan Pass Visitor's Center
Originally uploaded by TourForLife.org.

Today we climbed over the Continental Divide via the Going-To-The-Sun Road in Glacier National Park and needless to say, the physical demands of cranking over this hump have left us feeling “pooped”.

Our climb started at dawn and for the rest of the morning we winded up the mountains at a slow, but steady pace. We finally completed our climb around noon when we reached the hump at Logan Pass. At the pass we took a side trip and hiked to the top of Mt. Oberlin, a nearby peak where we stumbled upon a small herd of mountain rams and took in incredible views of the Rocky Mountains. In the late afternoon we returned to our bikes and began a roller-coaster descent from Logan Pass in which we effortlessly plummeted over 3,400 feet in elevation and rode over 25 miles in less than an hour!

On our descent, we immediately notice a new ecosytem, which is home to lush forests with towering evergreen trees and is in contrast to the thin forests and dry, rocky land on the the east side of the divide. At a time when we are tired, entering this new new ecosystem is a milestone, which gives us a psychological boost since we now feel like we have reached the Northwest.

See Photos - Enjoying expansive mountain views while riding on the Going-To-The-Sun Road and while hiking on Mt. Oberlin.
Day 76 Recap: Rising Sun Campground, MT to Sprague Creek Campground In Glacier Natl. Park, MT (36 miles)

Jimmy Henry's Poetry Recital

Jimmy Henry - A Poet Touring On Bike
Originally uploaded by TourForLife.org.

This afternoon Jimmy Henry, a self-proclaimed poet, greeted us outside a grocery store in the small town of St. Mary, Montana. Jimmy had a bike rigged with a mil carton as a baggage rack and he described himself as a "harmless and Lazy" touring cyclist, who often "cheats" by hitch-hiking whenever possible.

After briefly swapping stories about our travels, Jimmy took advantage of a captive audience and recited poetry at length and with great fervor. We enjoyed the free entertainment and before parting our ways, Jimmy encouraged us, "to take chances to feel, NOT fear, what life has to offer."

We Thank Today's Fans For Life:
Backroads Active Travel Company - Invited to stay at their guest house in Whitefish, MT.

Daily 75 Recap: Cut Bank, MT to Rising Sun Campground in Glacier National Park, MT (74 miles)