Day 64

Up and out. Came around the corner and finally got the sign I had been looking for yesterday. Satisfying.

And then down. Oh boy, lots of down. Pretty great way to start the day. Did nearly 8 miles without hardly pedaling.

Near the bottom saw this inviting sign:

Maybe when I inevitably become a hermit that's where I'll go.

Another mysterious and smoky day out here.

If this is what LA is like, you won't find me dead down there.

Came into Twisp around 11 and found a spot on the Method River to have my mid-morning rest.

Twisp seemed pretty livable. Couple good produce stores, a saloon, and "the Washery," showers and laundromat. Perfect. Did a load there and talked to a guy who warned me of bears and cougar if I was camping out there, and then proceeded to tell me how he scared a near up a tree just the other day by throwing rocks at it.

Rode the remaining ten miles to Winthrop. Certainly more of a tourist attraction than Twisp. Less permanent residents, but lots of vacation homes and a kitschy downtown. I don't blame the vacationers; it is gorgeous here. I've only been here in the winter before,  for ski races,  but it's darn nice in summer too. The western vibe was dominating. Downtown compete with wooden covered sidewalks, and stores with essentially supplies for every cowboy like leather cowgirl  boots for your baby, and artisan glass works...

I had just entered town when it appeared that the Race Across Washington Group AND the 4k for cancer biking tour had both descended upon the town. I made myself scarce as not to be a part of the mayhem.

Took a walk around, read some in the bookstore, and looked around the art gallery before making my way to camp at the nearby state park.


Here, Breezey and I laid up to wait for my fellow Tevlins. Big brother and Daddio are coming out all the way from Seattle to welcome me home. They're the first of the welcoming committee that will slowly assemble as I approach the Puget Sound. I've been calling friends for a couple weeks now to get them on board for the home stretch.

Car trouble set them back, but the boys made it around 4, and it was good. Took me out to a brewery downtown to celebrate and we had a fine meal. Talked until late back at camp under the red smoky sky. Good to be with my people again.