Day 7 Twisp to Riverside 77km, over Loup Loup Pass 4020ft

Started today early and with trepidation at the thought of facing another climb over a pass, the climbing was long and painful, although not nearly so challenging as Washington Pass. It was the descent that produced the first tantrum of the trip, of course by Louise! Who was pissed right off that on the 14 mile steep descent, over crap roads with lots of bends nature decides not only to send a thunderstorm, complete with huge biting drops of ice cold rain, but also to throw in another short (relatively) steep uphill climb. Described, I think very accurately as "my own personal hell", Kerstin was, as ever, tolerant and forbearing. Out from under the dark clouds things started looking up, total change in scenery now, desert like mountains, with low grey scrub and red/yellow soil, rattlesnake country. Meeting lots of other cyclists today, with some good conversations which provide interest, encouragement and insight. The threatening skies chase us from Okanogan to Omak, pedaling hard to beat another drenching. A stop at the visitors centre, where Kerstin feels she has entered an episode of The Golden Girls, teaches us never to judge a book by it's cover, Omak, despite it's obvious poverty, has plenty to offer in the fabulous nature of it's people. We shelter from the storm in the Corner Diner, and enjoy both excellent food and service, with plenty of local knowledge chucked in for free, and a slice of blueberry pie to top it off. We say farewell to Omak as the storm has passed and head towards tonight's destination Riverside, 10miles on the back roads through Colville Indian Reservation really shows us the beauty of this foreign landscape, pity Kerstin had to pedal so fast! The welcoming nature of the locals continues to astound us, after dinner we are greeted by a local native woman, Polly who introduces us to her mustangs, which live just behind the campsite. We say goodnight to our followers with a fig newton from the warmth of a sleeping bag and pray that tomorrow's pass (another bloody one) turns out to be shorter and less painful than anticipated ;) - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad