But first back to Republic, WA and Sherman Pass.
Monday I continued my drive back to Spokane from the Okanogon. i stopped and tourist a bit in Republic on the East side of Sherman Pass. Old town on lad stolen from the indians for ranching, timber, and mining. I did some quick internet work on Giardia and discovered on Wickapedia that Goldenseal root has some healing properties and I found a health food store and started eating the herb. Some success but not completely cured.
Drove up Sherman Pass ttrhu the White Mtn fire back in ’88. I skied @ the pass over the years and seeing the summer bare ground gave sight to the steep slopes down to the highway. Mel, I looked for the traffic camera once dfriving slowly and later pedaling and I could not find it.
I drove down to the West side to ride up ST to pass and then Kettle Crest trail out around Jungle Hill and down. Hot day and a bit of exhaustion forced me to push my bike. I rode stuff that in my previous rides I needed to walk which pleased me. I shared the trail w/ destroying slow elk and their offal. The trail down was a blast and I rode it w/ aplomb. Nicely done.
Kirk, I kept my clothes on for my solar shower. Before I could get wet a rig pulled up behind the van and a guy & girl got out. they saw my van and wanted to read the stickers. We struck up a conversation and it turned out that I met Andy way early during the creation of the mtn bike club I cofounded. I met his wife, Jen. They live in C d’A. Moy tongue loosened and I spewed stories. I invited myself to share their campsite and stories continued until the fire died. Oh, I did get my shower before joining them. They invited me to share their driveway.
Tues then I finished my drive to Spokane and started calling people. Randy is leaving on Friday for an Alaskan fishing trip making his schedule the tightest. He invited me to dinner for beer and he grilled salmon that I have not had since I left. Good friends Randy & Lisa.
I walked in front door of U District PT, the caretakers of my body, and put a big smile on Jeff’s face. Jill welcomed me. Jeff invited me to lunch on Wed.
Visited w/ Tim @ Bicycle Butler, my local bike shop. I will be doing a shop ride w/ them tonight. I am allowing myself to get a feel for the SPokane mtn bike scene that I didn’t do when i lived here because of time constraints. No constraints equals opportunities.
Yesterday driving across Division st I heard a crash inside the van and turned to see the contents of my medical drawer on the floor: the drawer exploded. How fortunate that Don, who built the cabinets, is in Spokane and not far away. Today he put the drawer back together and I pick it up tomorrow after the glue dries.
Slept in Randy & Lisa’s driveway last night. Before falling asleep I heard a cat fight. Later I was awkened by skunk squirt.
Lunch w/ Jeff & Jill was very pleasing. He is a fan of my adventure. I have some good friends, some of them i did not know how well.
This is Labor day weekend and Spokane has Pig out in the Park, tonight’s mtn bike ride might be an urban assult ride to riverfront to hear Too Slim & the Tailgators.
Gotta go.