There's This Really Great Property -- "Own Your Own Zip Code!"

This is the reason to do tours.  You run into the most interesting things and people.  Who knew you could own your own zip code?!  Plus a house, outbuildings, cafe and gas station all in one property!

This was in Wauconda, and was the only property to be seen, but did include the post office.  

While here, I talked to two riders who were biking from Washington to Pennsylvania, self-supported. We've seen them the past couple of days. I would hate to do all this climbing with all the gear they have.  Good luck to Bob and Jay!

Today was a SAG day for me, 69 miles and three summits.  The biggest was Wauconda Pass at 4,310'.  The heat continues to be a significant challenge.  It was 97 degrees when the final rider finished today.  Thankfully, everyone made it in safe.

We only got two SAG stops in, before I had to start moving back and forth through the group to make sure everyone had enough water and nutrition to get through.  The group spread out fairly quickly once the climbing started. 

The van with the trailer required unexpected service, so wasn't available for part of the day.  Fortunately, the local dealership in Tonasket (on our route) found a screw through the tire and it was quickly able to be repaired.

The countryside was varied today, a lot of rock and desert type vegetation but also pine trees and pastures.

We've seen more cattle in the last two days.  Pasture is plentiful, but there are also a lot of irrigated alfalfa fields everywhere.  We seem to already be out of orchard country.

While we were sitting at the second SAG we could hear fighters overhead and could see jets doing rolls above us.  We also observed a very steady convoy of Forest Service vehicles and fire fighters headed east (the direction we are traveling).

When we arrived in Republic, we could see wild fires in the distance.  The fires are reported to be south of our route so tomorrow we move on to Colville, crossing Sherman Pass (5,575') along the way.  Tomorrow's climbing starts 2.5 miles from where we are staying tonight, so we're all hopeful to complete the major climbing before the heat of the day.  But, the wild fire situation will be monitored and adjustments made if needed.