Well, I was only 12 and riding a one-speed Schwinn and I'm not sure the lake even existed yet, although the dam construction was well underway. We rode from Libby to an abandoned school from the early 1900s called Jennings School that has since been demolished. Then we rolled down a farmer's hill and he chased us off with his shotgun. It was a big adventure.

Andrea;

It's a great road for a first long ride. I think a circumnavigation of the lake would be a fantastic ride too. Best,

Buddy Hall

Michelle,

That's very good advice, thank you. I believe the Belair shuttle will be in my immediate future. Highway 2 is not going to open up for a long time - like maybe another month or so.

Bud

Thanks Adam - you are right about the fires - the smoke is getting pretty noticeable in the Omak area. Yes, Highway 2 is the basic route - south from Omak on the highway 97 corridor (staying off of 97 as much as possible by riding the old highway and alternate 97), then west on 2. My riding partner, Doc, went way south to I-90 corridor based on Google advice and he wishes he had gone 2 instead. So it's 2 for me, and I have plenty of time based on my flight home.

Bud

Thanks Steve - a "Rafter?" I would have never guessed that - I learned something new!

Bud

Thanks James - unfortunately I was rolling past there very early today.

Bud

Thanks Kelly, I will do that!

Bud

Please pass congratulations on to Doc! You are next!

I'm still singing Smoke on the Water.

If you happen to be going by the Okanogan Livestock Exchange when it's open, it's a great place to eat breakfast. Good food and huge portions.

Bud, a flock of wild turkeys is called a “rafter”! Anywho fun fact for today. We have really smokey horizons in San Francisco tonight. Even though the fires are far away, the winds can make them seem close. Just don’t fret too much about closures and reroutes….it’s just par for the course. Take care and have a good day tomorrow.

5,000 feet of climbing! Holy moly! You are going to sleep well tonight.

These wildfires look to be pretty bad. All state managed lands east of the Cascades are closed to public access: https://www.dnr.wa.gov/dnr-closure-eastern-2021

I sort of wonder if riding through the PNW area will ever be the same again.

How are you getting to Seattle, Highway 2?

Hi Bud,
Check out the Seattle area on Ride w/gps, many bike paths and routes. Having just been there, I took the light rail from the airport station to the University district where there are many bike shops and a post office. If you stay in that area or in the downtown area light rail is a good option to get to the airport, it is unbelievably easy. If you make it to Anacortes the Belaire airport shuttle is convenient and reasonable.
Hope the roads open up!
Tailwinds,
Michell

Bud can you ask around at the local diner if this barn is for sale? Someone must know the owner. I’d love to move there!!!! Just kidding…sort of. So glad you are inside tonight. Maybe the local pizza place can make a delivery to your room. And so glad you got the kids quiet last night. Young people can be so unaware of the needs of others. Anywho….enough for now…”over ‘n out”.