Day 16 started too early, as always, but we were ready to get going because we’re heading back into the US of A!
We loaded up the bikes, loaded up the riders, and went in search of some breakfast. We stopped at a Starbucks, had a bite to eat, then it was time to head out, but not before we admired the five police cruisers, belonging to the nice police officers, or should I say, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police [RCMP]! who were having breakfast inside the Starbucks. Their bikes were lovely, 3 Harley Davidsons and 2 BMWs.
I just looked up some information, and apparently the RCMP Highway Patrol are moving away from older Harley Davidson fleets to the modern police-spec BMW models, such as the BMW R1300RT, which are equipped with Code 3 emergency lighting. Too cool! Just look at the icons and logos, gotta love it!
Back on the bikes and away we go! We rode through Kelowna, BC, West Kelowna, BC, along the Okanagan Highway, also known as Highway 97. Interestingly, BC Highway 97 is the longest continuously numbered route and longest provincial highway in Canada, spanning approximately 1,293 miles from south to north! We rode through Peachland, BC, Summerland, BC, we passed by Skaha Lake, and a bunch of wineries! Vaseux Lake, Cawston, BC.
Videos: Okanagan Highway [The road, the mountains, Okanagan Lake!], Okanagan Lake: try to keep up! Skaha Lake, Vaseux Lake,
We finally made it to Osoyoos, which is the border with the US and we crossed into Oroville, WA, we were back in the US of A! Here are pics after we went through Customs. PSM was bummed that no one got video of him crossing into Canada, so here you are PSM, riding into the USA!
As we rode into and through Washington, the air was thick with smoke, unfortunately, the wildfires were affecting a lot of the Pacific Northwest, and Washington State was no different. As we’re riding the North Cascades Highway, you can see how think the smoke hanging in the air is. We rode through the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, you can see the devistation where the trees were charred, but you can also see the beauty of the life that is still thriving and pushing through.
Videos: North Cascades Highway Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
We ended up stopping in Twisp, WA at the Branding Iron Cafe & Saloon. The tagline: Good Times. Cold Drinks. Real People. And they were right! The staff and regulars were great! Friendly, welcoming, great sense of humor, we fit right in! It was the perfect stop, good food, fuel for the soul, good conversation, lots of laughs, and a good break, hey we’ve been at it for about 5 hours!
After an enjoyable lunch, back on the bikes, and away we went. We continued our travels through the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest on the North Cascades Highway, now State Route 20 (SR20) in Washington State. And… North Cascades Highway is the scenic and geographic name for the North Cascades National Park and Ross Lake National Recreation Area, and some of the skies cleared up and it was beautiful!
Videos: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
We stopped in the Ross Lake National Recreation Area to take some pics.
We rode on through the Ross Lake National Recreation Area, it was a big recreation are! It is just south of the Canada-US border and the most accessable part of the North Cascades National Park Complex, so there! lol. We rode through some tunnels, then stopped at the Gorge Overlook at the Gorge Creek Falls , overlooking the Skagit River, which I just learned is the largest and most biologically important river draining to Puget Sound and the second largest river system in the Northwest! I learn so much on these trips and writing these posts!
Video: Riding North Cascades Highway/SR20, Do you love a waterfall?! Stunning and sad all at the same time! Along the Skagit River.
Our last stop for the day was North Cascades National Park. North Cascades National Park has several peaks that rise about 9000 feet in elevation and has more than 300 glaciers! We rode through the park and on State Route 530 NE, which serves Snohomish and Skagit countines, about 50 miles long.
Videos: SR 530 NE, Saku River Bridge
We stopped at a gas station, I’m 95% sure, it was the Shim Shell, the reason I’m mentioning it…the store was ok, the bathrooms weren’t terrible, but what was on the walls was fabulous! The words of affirmation and encouragement was outstanding! I said it, then I saw it ‘This is the most positive batrhoom I’ve ever seen!” “You are an amazing individual, don’t stop being you.” Look at the stars whenever you can!” “Celebrate we will, cuz life is short but sweet for certain.” And the amazing thing…no one wrote on anything but the middle border. So affirming, inspiring, and kind! We could really use more of this today.
We continued on SR 530 NE through Darrington, WA until we reached our destination, the Homewood Suites in Lynwood, WA. We checked in, grabbed an Uber and headed to Chili Basil – Homestyle Thai Cuisine. It was charming! Every page of the menu had a family photo along with pictures and descriptions of each menu item, even some basic Thai phrases. Our waitress was great, the food was really good, although, I thought my mouth was going to fall off! Tasty, but spicy!
Back to the hotel to crash, we have more adventures to come! I hope you’ll join us!
Day 16: 360+ Miles, 9+ Hours, North Cascade Highway, 1 National Park, 2 Countries, Words of Affirmation. Let’s keep going! See ya tomorrow!
