Loup Loup, leaving home, The Junction Motel

This morning I bid a very fond farewell to Nathan, and continued on my journey towards Michigan. The day of rest and relaxation did me very well. I biked out of town towards Loup Loup Pass. Here is a shot of some lovely irises that were growing next to the road:



I felt strong and confident as I went up Loup Loup. I made great time, and was amazed by how much easier it was than what I'd already done! At the pass, a previous biker had left a little note for me:







The terrain is very different here than on the west side of the mountains-the trees are a lot thinner, and there is evidence of semi-recent fires:



After lunch at a taco truck in Okanogan, continued on. I had planned on stopping at about 65 miles at Omak, but it was only 2:30pm when I got there, so I kept on rolling and rolling. I went through Riverside, a teensie weensie town. I stopped at a gas station and and relaxed with a Squirt, as the locals checked me out and chatted with me about my trip.


For some reason there was a giant metal rooster out front, which I like very much.



After arriving in Tonasket, I checked my map only to realize that there is no camping here! On the up side, I wasn't too sad about being forced to check in to the Junction Motel and have my first shower since leaving Sedro-Woolley. Pee Yew!

Tomorrow I may stop in Republic-a bit of a short day, but I don't feel a great need to do my last two mountain passes in Washington on the same day.

Missing my family and friends, wish I could fit them in my panniers...

Onward!

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Location:Tonasket Shop Rd,Tonasket,United States