In Memory of Warmer Summers

June 16 to Kettle Falls, WA
June 17 to west of Ione, WA
June 18 to Newport, WA

June 19 to Sandpoint, ID

We crossed Sherman Pass on the 16th.  Sherman is the highest pass in the state of Washington and we encountered some significant weather while doing so.  We got into a mix of snow, sleet, and rain with dropping temperatures during our descent off Sherman and we ducked into an old log hut built in the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.  We donned some dry clothes and put on every piece of clothing we owned until somewhat warmed and waited out the storm for about two hours.

While negotiating these passes, log trucks are frequently encountered and I make a practice to wave at all log trucks.  These drivers get paid by the load and that requires haste.  They do not like delays and encountering a cyclist in a narrow mountain road with no shoulder on a blind switch-back means delays.  When a truck is seen going west-bound empty, I wave at them, as soon they will be coming east-bound with a load of logs and I’d prefer they maybe hit their brakes instead of me.

We reached Idaho on the 18th and said goodbye to the beautiful state of Washington.  Border to border, this is some of the prettiest country I’ve encountered.