Day 8: 46 miles
A 5.30 alarm woke us from our best sleep yet – probably because it was cooler and the first night I actually cuddled into the sleeping bag. We were packed up and off by 6.30 and straight into uphill. Even at that time there was a fair amount of traffic on the main road but after 6 miles we were able to turn off onto the old Blewett Pass road.
This was an idyllic road with no traffic at all. The road surface was beginning to erode and in as few years rock falls will probably close it all together but for now it wound up through pine trees, the view opening up as we went.
The valley was uninhabited but it was not always like this because this was the site of a goldrush in the 1860s. Up to 400 people (mostly men I assume) panned the fast running river for gold and the lucky few sold their gold in Seattle and made fortunes. It was all worked out by 1910 and the town they built in the valley, Blewett, fell derelict. It is only marked now as the name of the pass but this area has a fascinating history.
The sun was out and blue skies still but the early morning cool to reach the top of the pass at 4100ft.
A more cautious downhill the other side to avoid the pot holes then back joining the trafiic on the dreaded I97 – streams of RVs going past having packed up for the weekend. A few miles on – all downhill now – and we stopped at Mountain Springs restaurant for our first full American breakfast of pancakles, eggs, bacon, maple syrup etc. We felt we deserved it! Further on down and the 97 split off with the main road heading off to Seattle and suddenly the volume of raffic decreased. We were into another 1000ft climb but managed to plod up in the middle chain ring.
We must be gettting fitter! Views over agricultrual land and a wind farm at the top – and just the crest of a snow capped peak to be seen in the far distance, which must be Mount Rainier, the highest peak in Washington State.
Then our best downhill yet – 15 miles down into Ellesburg with a strong following wind and a good road surface. Felt as if we were flying. Through the dreary suburbs of any town we turned into the ‘historic centre’ of Ellesburg to the sound of Jazz music “Jazz in the Valley”. It was the final day of a 3 day Jazz festival. Sitting in the shade we decided we would stay. The next bit of road through the Yakima canyon sounded decidedly hot and best done in the morning so we settled on a shorter 45 mile day and found ourselves a comfortable motel. This is a holiday after all! We called David’s Mum to wish her happy birthday – Happy birthday Mum if you are reading this.
Showered and cooled we pedalled back into town – this time feeling bizarre without any panniers and in flip flops and got back to the centre just in time for the afternoon final Jazz session. Sitting on a Sunday afternoon with a cold beer listening to a big band playing was great and we struck up conversation with a young couple next to us – Katie and Josh.
Both had studied at the university (most of the population of the town are students) and were now working for the university in HR. They were delightful and thoughtful as we discussed our 2 cultures. Not the American stereotype at all – but then no one we have met has been so. After a rest back at the motel we went out to eat at a nice Italian restaurant to pack in the carbs for the following day!
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We loved your company….safe travels!
Hi David and Bernie
Sounds fabulous and you are really making the most of it. You deserve it and …..yes you are worth it!!!!
Pippa and Anthony came for lunch and we had a good natter. They both seem fine living life to the hilt – Ant was over the moon winning at Bewdley. Thank you both for such a lovely birthday present duly delivered by Ant. I will smell like an Italian beauty parlour when you get back.
Thunderstorms and sunshine here.
Had a good day with Tricia & co. Ethan having fun in and out of the puddles!!
It is good being able to keep in touch.
Love Mum
It was so great to meet the two of you yesterday! I’m also glad I found your blog so we can keep up on your adventure.
Nothing beats a Sunday afternoon with good music and great company 🙂
Safe travels!
Katie from Ellensburg
David and Bernie,
It was a pleasure to share our home and community with you in Winthrop. We hope to some day ride shoulder to shoulder with you, but for now are avidly following your blog. I have ordered my own set of the ACA SierraCascades route maps. Bon courage on your warm trip down the Yakima River canyon today and your ascent of White Pass. We look forward to seeing you again.
Tom and Carolyn