Today did not turn out as I expected...After the long bike climbs yesterday my knees let me know they were not happy. I started the day with icing, Voltaren, stretching and massage. The beginning of the ride was pretty flat maybe slightly downhill and quite enjoyable. Then the climb to Loup Loup Pass at 4020 feet began. The scenery was different more arid but so beautiful as we gained altitude it started to rain. Both my knees were hurting so badly that I did not feel that I could continue the ride. I was slowing down to mph going uphill and struggling doing that speed. Made the decision to stop riding for the day at 15 miles into the ride to protect my knees. After having the knee replacement last year I just did not want to do any damage to the new knee or my other good knee that was aching. The next two days Phil
and Barry will be crossing several more passes and I have decided to take a pass on those. Kevin and I will pick up our truck which is finally finished in Idaho and meet them again in Kettle Falls, WA in a few days. The rides from Kettle Falls will not be as steep and difficult until we get to Glacier National Park. We saw some absolutely beautiful farmland while driving through eastern Washington today. We saw the vast yellow fields of Canola plants. They looked incredible on those fertile rolling hills. Canola plants which they make canola oil, are used as rotating plants. The make the ground more fertile for the next years planting. We also passed the Grand Coulee Dam which is one of the largest structures built by mass of concrete standing 550 feet high and 5223 feet long. Grand Coulee contains 12 million cubic yards of concrete, or enough to build a highway from Seattle to Miami. It was really a sight to see. I am truly disappointed that I cannot cross these mountain passes with Phil and Barry but I believe resting my knees will make them stronger for the rest of the trip.
I am grateful I could climb Rainy and Washington Passes yesterday. Good Luck Phil and Barry, I will be thinking of you. Kevin and I have decided we will visit Winthrop, WA again. This town looked liked the old west and the town people were so friendly and helpful. We all went into the General Merchandise Store and had a great time. There were some fellows sitting at the soda fountain that looked like mountain men and offered Kevin some helpful hints on fishing in the area. The hotel where we stayed was right on the Methow River and our balcony overlooked this river. The bad thing was that fishing in rivers does not start in Washington until June 1st. It was really killing Kevin to look at that river and not fish it. Next time we visit it will be after June 1st.
