AUGUST 2

 What a fabulous way to start the day!

We arrived in Bellingham on time. Off loading went smoothly as always. 

By 8:30 we were off the boat and just like that we were on our way east. 

We had chosen a northern route so we wouldn’t have to backtrack through Spokane and because it ran through North Cascades National Park. 

Unfortunately by the time we reached the visitor center the smoke was so bad I knew that would be the last stop for me.

We were soon stopped to join a convoy led by a pilot car through the area of fire activity  

Fire fighters were working several fires in the area including one right by the road. The pictures are terrible, but it was the best I could do. There was no way we could open the window because of the smoke.

Once we got past this area, the smoke cleared significantly, but it was still enough to keep me in the car - even for pictures. The  park is beautiful. So many high mountains, deep gorges, trails, rivers, creeks! It was impossible to keep track. 

Out of the park, the scenery changed dramatically! No more dense forests or spiked mountains. Now it was rolling hills, horse farms, apple orchards, and hay fields. 

Lunch at a state park. Obviously we weren’t in Alaska anymore. It was hot!

Through the town of Winthrop where absolutely everything was Western. This town was as much Old West as Leavenworth WA was a Bavarian Village. 

And on to the little town of Tonasket where we shut down for the day. 

Deli fried chicken is coming up for dinner. 

¡Buenas noches!