ENDING JUNE IN LOTS OF SUN AND HEAT!

I fortunately was able to rope in two different friends for two different rides. I like my solo riding OK, but riding with others, as I know I have said many times, is a real treat for me.

I met Kathy in south Everett for a favorite ride to Snohomish which takes us through the countryside. We got horses — lumbering over to us as soon as the first one made his first tentative steps. I like them all so much, I cannot help but post many!

Kathy got me.

I got Kathy…

Cascade Mountains were showing.

Countryside farm building was glowing in the sun.

On another day that week I had a ride with a different bike buddy, Ron. We decided to ride from a different than usual starting point on the Centennial Trail and ride farther along than we often do. 

Start at Machias Station.

However — I told Ron it would be about a 24-25 mile ride which ended up being 34 miles round trip. Luckily Ron has said he will not let this deter him from riding with me again. 

We entered the town of Arlington, our destination and turn around point, to find ourselves smack dab in the middle of a Farmer’s Market! My plan to stop for our lunch at a quiet table in the shade was thwarted by the crowds of people. We found a table not so shaded but enjoyed our lunch and some people watching.

I think I redeemed myself for the extra miles by having the brilliant idea of the Ice Cream shop ;-). We walked our bikes the couple of blocks to ice cream with smiles all around.

To wind down this month of June, Susan and I got in at least a little outing in the RV/Van. There was a walk planned up near Bellingham for an out of state Sister On the Fly visitor. We would join the walk, but first a stop to visit Susan’s long time college friends Elaine and John. I unfortunately did not take any photos of our wonderful day and overnight stay with them, but I did get a photo of sweet Hildy…

On a visit in the future I will be sure to get photos of their gardens, beautiful deck and son Russ’s “tree house” (not your usual tree house).

We made our farewells to Elaine and John after breakfast and drove a short distance north to meet the two “sisters” for the walk at Lake Louise (not THAT Lake Louise, one here in Washigton).

The trail was empty of any other walkers and we enjoyed the cool breeze as we circumnavigated the lake.

In a short time it got warmer though clouds were forming overhead. We were fortunate to miss rain that did not come until much later in the day.

Karen gets up close for what turned out a beautiful close up of the lily pads.

The product of Karen’s daring lean…

My shot was not a close up, but shows the vast pads growing in the lake.

This Lake is for the birds…

Karen got a good group selfie of the four of us — Linda, Karen, me, Susan.

The end of our walk took us back through the tunnel. The steel sides reflect the colors of jackets we wore.

Our after-hike lunch was not only filling, but fun to learn more about each other and have some very nice social time. Soon it was time for another set of farewells and Susan and I continued on to Thousand Trails campground in Concrete. We had an early evening and were well rested for the next day’s adventure.

Thousand Trails Campground is on Grandy Creek.

We would begin from here at our campsite for our bike ride on the unpavedCascade Trail to the town of Concrete. Our first encounter was that of workers along the trail.

See the guy way over there on the left — working on cutting up this downed tree? Susan asked a few questions which he did answer, but she said as we rode away, the directions were only slightly better than “mud”.

I will copy what Susan wrote in a text to the girls and Grands as I think it sums it up quite well.

Concrete — as senior citizens we were invited to a “donation” lunch. She said it would help their program to up their numbers so we stayed. She about fainted when we gave her $20. We felt they could use it (as this town is a bit depressed). It was a fun 14 mile day. I don’t know if the lunch, hauling our bikes over downed trees on the trail or having to maneuver crossing a creek on boards while pushing the bikes due to a washed out bridge was the highlight. It all made for an adventurous day.

Lunch…

Adventure on the trail… first the tree.

We had to go a little off the trail to get over it..

Safely on the other side, Susan then came back for my bike ;’-).

A few miles later came our next adventure of a maneuver around and over the steam where washed out bridge had been.

Once again we got a bit of the trail (what trail there was) for the crossing on a slim board that was worse than it looks here. I got one foot wet but it dried while riding to town.

Those adventures done, we finally got to Concrete. Enlarge and read this sign as it is quite interesting.

The little white spec at the bottom center of this next photo is of that sign above with my bike next to it.



 Cruising on toward town is where we found the Community Center and lunch ;’-)

Beautiful Dogwood tree on the grounds.

On the way out of town there was a ‘Children's Garden” that had rows of bird houses along the bordering streets.

This bird house especially caught my eye…

Getting ‘home’ to our van was just in time to not exhaust us and we took advantage to relax, read and recall all the great things of the day. And for me to catch up with this blog post!

We have made the very best of this short getaway with one more bike ride before heading home. 

Along the Skagit River which has its own unique color.

Rasar State Park was our starting point for the ride we have enjoyed several times in the past. Mainly we ride on quiet country roads with almost no traffic. Here I have a patch work roof ;’-) that adds color to the surroundings 

Entering into the very small town (hard to call it a town but I cannot think of a better name) of Hamilton we see an interesting sounding bar.

About a third of the ride is on unpaved trail (again) which is ‘mostly’ fine riding but we did have a death defying stretch with large rocks in a wide area! Note it is a “primitive” trail.

Somewhere along this trail I saw this old wreck and wondered how it even got there.

About to cross a road to connect with more of the trail we met two women who told us we could not get through up there due to a very big bridge out. Not like the crossing we had done getting to Concrete yesterday, but a BIG bridge washout. 

I could not help but get this photo while talking with the women.

We took to the road to avoid the washout and finally — it was lunch time and we found the same spot with a beautiful view of the mountains that we have done on another ride.

Back in the saddle on onward to complete our day. I often have trouble passing up an old barn. Though we saw several, this is the only one I got.

Returning on the ‘better’ part of the trail.

This has been a longer post than usual, but I/we did fit in a lot of things this month.  Thanks for reading.