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Someone's probably wondering “Why does she show her license plate?” and the answer is that it demarcates the journey.  No doubt I'll be back to this place, and likely on a different bike. It was the first time in over 10 days I've not awoke in lush green and cool temps.  I stopped last night in Ellensburg, WA after an incredible day looping Mt. Rainier.  I spent much longer than I expected exploring Rainier and the sun caught me.  Since this area is known for having extreme issues with deer, I stopped; I love to ride but sometimes you gotta stop to go farther.  I departed Ellensburg in low 80's temps and ready for the North Cascades National Park and Scenic Byway.  I stopped took a slight detour through the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area so I could pick up yet another National Park Passport stamp.  Here's Lake Chelan (note the topography): Anyone who knows me knows I'm always up for an adventure, but even this would have been a little too adventurous for me... yikes! US-97 to WA-153 was my route to get to the Cascades.  Both roads were lined with a plethora of deer warning signs.  Some signs stated “Extreme Danger”, some said “High Density Area” and this one gave the facts: I always find statistics interesting and after seeing that one I wondered how they calculated the financial costs listed.  Nonetheless, I had indeed spotted several groups of 3-4 deer in different areas off the road and I stayed on high alert even though it was mid-day and rather warm (not the typical cooler dusk/dawn when deer are most active).  At one point after I had just refueled and as I was getting back on the bike I looked across the street to see this: Just as I was taking the photo and look what came down the road: Yeah, I know.... what the hell was he thinking?!  Did that guy seriously believe I was sitting on my bike at a gas station taking a photo of him as he rode by?  I guess it didn't occur to him that I might be taking a photo of something that was alive and quite possible could impede his progress!  Wow!  I'll recast my vote for erecting signs that simply say “PAY ATTENTION!!” I came across this sign which let me know I was heading in the right direction... those reassuring signs can sometimes be the best ones! Just before hitting the Cascades Highway (Hwy 20) heading west you go through Winthrop, a cowboy town that reminds me of Julian, CA: I was relieved to finally see this sign and make it back to the tall trees and mountain air..woo-hoo!: Here's a map of the general area: A few shots of Hwy 20 from afar: I had stopped at an overlook that was also the start of a trailhead and ended up doing a little exploring.  This probably will not be a surprise, but I did not follow a marked path and instead elected to just hop up a few rocks here, over a few rocks there, etc.  I could see the trailhead off to the side and saw a shortcut to rejoin it.  As I was skampering over a rock there was a couple who were hiking back up the trail and I caught them off guard.  “We thought a mountain goat or bear was coming out of the brush!”  While I was apologizing for startling them, they asked if I would take their photo, which I did.  The husband replied that he'd be willing to take my photo as well since I too was carrying a camera.  He got very, shall we say, into taking the photo.  He laid on the ground, twisted his torso in some yoga-ish contortion, while reassuring me he was going to get a“great picture.”  His wife was laughing at his intensity and while he was taking a photo of me with my camera she was taking one of him on the ground with their camera.  Well, here's the “great” photo he took, which also proves the laying on the ground part: I love the photo because it speaks about effort, kindness, and the goodness of human nature, all of which I experienced within bountiful nature itself. There were literally countless waterfalls along the Cascades Highway.  In fact, I can safely say I have never seen so may waterfalls in one day... they were everywhere!  Big ones, little ones, waterfalls you could stand under along the roadside and ones that were visible only with binoculars. Various photos taken along the scenic Hwy 20: Right along Hwy 20 is Diablo Lake, known for its green water (no the photo is not digitally enhanced...the water is really that green!)... ...and an explanation about the green water: Two more interesting signs about the area: I acquired my National Park Passport stamps at the various Visitor Centers along the way and came to the end of the Cascades Hwy much sooner than I expected.  At that point my “detour-itis” flared, a quick glance at my GPS, and off I went to run the “Mount Baker Scenic Highway”, also known as WA-542.  Here's a map to visually orientate the lost: As I was starting up towards Hwy 542 I could see it in the distance.  Just the awesome beauty energized me, especially knowing that it was likely I could see a good portion of the sunset if I so chose to be atop Baker.  Here is a shot of where I was headed, though the bigger peaks are absent from this view: Here was I was heading (the twist and curves in the road should be the give away): Given it was mid-week and I was in a rural area, it didn't take me long to get to the road I was hunting down: Views on the way up... ... and several from the top: The mountain is home to Mt Baker Ski Resort. I always love the unique names of the ski runs on a mountain: As has been the case for the last several days, the road was desolate!  I passed one car and two sportbikes while I was going up the mountain, and no one while coming down it.  Nothing like having a mountain to yourself!  I had spotted a National Forest campground while on the ascent so I was able to spend extra time at the summit knowing there was a place I could camp.  I've ended the day at a campsite along a rushing and river.  I couldn't feel more alive and a part of nature... a feeling that might be best described as “peace.” AGirl Day's end GPS: AGirl   If you wish to receive direct emails from me whenever a new Journey Report has been posted than simply click: This Link

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