Winthrop, WA to Tonasket, WA 70 Miles

Tom Sullivan is an avid cyclist. He and his wife, Carolyn really knew how to take care of us. We hit the road EARLY so Tom was in the kitchen by 4:30 AM to prepare us a breakfast of oatmeal, yogurt and even lattes. We were on the road by 6:15 AM. We had a big 11 mile climb up Loup Loup pass. Loup is French for Wolf. But we were the only ones howling on those 10% grades. As we were approaching the top, Pam noticed an RV parked by the side of the road. She said, "maybe that's my aunt who has come to help us carry our gear." I, the skeptic commented, "you have a big imagination." As we rode by the RV a woman came out and told us she was supporting her husband on a coast to coast bike trip. Would be like for her to carry our gear also? No pause, I blurted out YES!! We couldn't unhook our load fast enough.

Laura Brimlow is supporting her husband, Dave Brimlow on his coast to coast bicycle trip. Dave has been diagnosed with MS and he is raising money and awareness about what a person can do even with the diagnosis. Their story is quite heartwarming and we are grateful to be a part of it.

You can read their blog at: www.freewebs.com/jubileetour

We ended up having a long hard day even after the pass because of headwinds. This meant we had to pedal in our lowest gears even downhill. Everyone had told us, "you've already done the hardest part after the Cascades, the rest will be a piece of cake."

Downhill through the Cascades

Well, we shot our wad on Rainy Pass and Washington Pass. We dragged in to Tonasket at 4:30 PM. Imagine, what would have happened to us if we had to carry our own bags. I hate to think about it.

This trip is really teaching me about the synchronicity of the universe.