Days 1 and 2 - Everett to Wenatchee

Thank you, thank you to all of you who are praying! This post will be abbreviated, I will probably fill in more later

Day "0" Saturday, May 24

We arrived at Josh and Monica's about 7:00 p.m. after a good day on the road.

Day 1 - Sunday, May 25
Josh and Monica took us up to Everett for the drop off. They then took the van and will store it for us for the summer. Thanks, you two, for giving up your holiday weekend to help us. We love you!

It was a good day out of Everett over to Skykomish. We dipped our back tire in Puget Sound (that counts as Pacific water, right?), then took off. We left early enough in the day to have very little traffic in the city (being Sunday morning helped also) so got through just fine. As the hours went on, the traffic increased as people left the city for the holiday, going out to the mountains and lakes. We wearied of the traffic noise more than anything.

Setting up

Back tire in the Pacific (kind of)

We got to Skykomish, expecting....well, much more than there really is. We thought there would at least be a campground right there. Not so. But there's one about 1 1/2 miles past, so we rode out there and it was quite nice. Although we were hoping for a shower (Forest Service CGs usually don't have them), we were happy to have a place to throw up the tent. We got the tents up and had time to lie down for a while. Then it rained for a few minutes. That's the only rain we've had. We rested well. Thanks, those of you who are praying that we can actually sleep on the ground! (Susan, you can be proud of me: I actually went to bed without showering after riding. It's amazing how good a washcloth can feel!)

Day 2 - Monday, May 26
Wow, what a day. Gerry and I made our longest climb on a bike today - 16 miles, the last 7 were at 6% grade. It took us 3 hours. (Typically, we can cruise 16 miles in about 50 minutes) All four of us were beat; we were pretty much at the end of our reserves. The leg trembling was our first clue. So, Stevens Pass will be etched in our minds (and muscles) for a long time. It was pretty cool out, probably about 35 degrees at the top. We had to put our layers back on before heading down the east side. But that was sweet - 20 miles down to Coles Corner, where we stopped at a cool little diner for some refueling. A little rest under the pine trees, then off we went again. It was downhill all the way into Wenatchee, where we are tonight. We stopped briefly in Leavenworth, but there were so many people in town that we hightailed it out. We left camp this morning at 8:00 and pulled into Wenatchee this evening at 6:15; 75 miles. I think it's time for bed. The start of the 16 mile climb

The summit at Stevens Pass

16 mile climb, 3100', 3 hours - phew!

Again, thanks for your prayer. We have most definitely seen God's protection already.

Hopefully, I'll be able to add a bit more tomorrow - a half day off!!

Pat and Gerry