Sedro Woolley --36.9 Miles According to the Route Sheet

Ok, on paper it was supposed to be an easy day, right? Well, that isn't always how things work out. Reality is sometimes a little different when the route sheet gets misread. Bonus miles on this day is much better than any bonus miles on Monday's route.  So is life on the road.

I have to say I was a little pessimistic about this "heat wave" thing, but we got in around noon today with a temperature of 75. I have to say it was getting a little toasty on the bike! How can that be?  At home 75 is a perfect riding temp.  We must be closer to the sun in the northwest :-)  The staff at the National Park Visitor Center weren't especially encouraging either.  They asked where we were headed. When I told them, there was a little hesitation and then..."It's going to be hot."  Thanks!  It is what it is.

Today's route was nice.  Roads were pretty good, although mostly chip seal. There were some sections of bike path.

We road to Washington Park this morning for photos then headed out of Anacortes around 9.  Mostly rural riding once we were away from Anacortes.  That gave us the opportunity to see farmland, as the route was pretty flat with some rolling hills.  We saw lots of potatoes today and a processing plant where the potatoes are taken at harvest.  Also some sort of grain that could have been wheat, but was still green with very little head.  And the obligatory corn fields, that will have to grow fast to be "knee high by the 4th of July."

No other scheduled towns on the route today, but some of us saw Burlington, Washington during our little excursion off route.

Because of our early arrival in Sedro Woolley, we had plenty of time to visit Dairy Queen then ride into the downtown area.  

Downtown seems to be very active.  Most store fronts were occupied with a variety of shops, restaurants and local establishments.  And, even though we rode through farmland, it's obvious timber is the primary industry in this area.  You can look to the hills around town and see where timber has been cut.  Then there were the banners on the downtown light posts, "Logger Rodeo."   

We made our way to a local coffee shop and enjoyed the local fare there.

Wherever we have been so far, the flowers have been absolutely spectacular.  You can see the hanging baskets downtown were full of petunias, and the blooms were as big as your hand.  I don't remember this from previous rides in the northwest.

Tonight's dinner and tomorrow's breakfast will be  prepared by the ride's chef.  Sue owns a catering business when she's not working on a tour, so I'm expecting some interesting meals.

Tomorrow is my first day for SAG support.  It will be 52 miles to Marblemount.  This is going to be a new experience.  I'm hoping for an easy route, and to not lose any riders!

Downtown Sedro-Woolley, Washington