Seattle to Whitefish bike trip

yikes!  I got on here to post about Belize but realized I never posted about my summer's bike adventure from Seattle to Whitefish, MT!

I'll do that quickly and then on to Belize.  Unfortunately, I'm tired of futzing with formatting, so for now this will have to do.

In sum, the bike trip was incredible.  Neil and I flew to Seattle on Friday, 20 July of last summer (2012).  I stayed with Julie and David while N stayed with his friend Wayne.  Neil spent Saturday putting our bikes together while I went kayaking with Julie, David, and the kids.  Sounds fair, huh?

Neil with our bikes at the Lyss-Loren house

Day 1, Sunday 22 July:  
Seattle to Arlington, WA
On Sunday, we started pedaling north.  The ride north was easy and pleasant - most of it was on bike paths!  Our goal was Sedro-Wooly where we would pick up the Adventure Cycling Northern Tier route but we didn't make it quite that far and stopped in Arlington, WA instead.  Not exactly a scenic spot, but it was a place to sleep.

Day 2, Monday 23 July:  
Arlington to Concrete, WA
The next day we woke to clouds and drizzle, but it was still beautiful.

Day 3, Tuesday 24 July:  Concrete to Lake Diablo Campground

On Tuesday we rode from Concrete to Lake Diablo.  This was also beautiful (as were all the days!).  It was also the last day of relatively flat.  We entered the Cascades that day and Lake Diablo was at the base of the first major climb.  

We got to the Colonial Campground and set up shop.  The coolest thing about our campsite was that there were three Great Grey Owl chicks sitting in the trees right around our site!

Day 4, Wednesday 25 July:  Lake Diablo to Winthrop, WA via Rainy and Washington Passes

Our new friends, Dave and Tim!

Our campsite in Winthrop - not beautiful like the night before, but it was a place to rest.

Day 5, Thursday 26 July:  Winthrop to Tonasket, WA via some pass I can't remember...

Our lovely accommodations in Tonasket.

 Day 6, Friday 27 July:  Tonasket to Republic, WA 

We're definitely on the east side of the Cascades!

Day 7, Saturday 28 July:  Republic to Colville, WA

Our campsite, which we shared with Dave and Tim

Day 8, Sunday 29 July:  Colville to Newport, WA

our great lunch stop!

 Day 9, Monday 30 July:  Newport to Clark Forks, ID

 Day 10, Tuesday 31 July:  Clark Forks, ID to Libby, MT

We  found this in the middle of nowhere!  A lunch dream!

In ID, we stopped for a short hike at Kootenai Falls - a must-see if you're in the area!

Day 11, Wednesday 1 Aug:  Libby to Eureka, MT

My lunch drink (on the left) and Neil's (on the right)!

This was how I always found Neil when I would catch up to him!

Day 12, Thursday 2 Aug:  Eureka to Whitefish

We made it!

but now we have to go home... sadness.  This is the Whitefish Train Depot.