Day 70 Sandpoint, ID to Newport, WA 28.9 miles Total 3,414.9 mi

 We waited for the diner to open at 7, then Steve had his hearty breakfast and was on his way.  I wandered a bit in town and then followed.

The K2 Motel

Nice fountain with bicycle motif



Interesting bench in the park

This was a short mileage day, nice after the long day yesterday.  It was all  Rt 2 along the Pend Oreille River.  We crossed the river and Voila! we were in Washington! No real welcome sign, but we were happy to know it anyway.  

We met up with Bud and Doc again, staying at the same illustrious motel.  We ate dinner with them right across the street at Mi Pueblo Mexican restaurant.  All three riders had a confabulation over the route and situation ahead.  

The wildfires are early this year. There's been a serious drought in the mountains in Washington and navigating a safe, viable route through the Cascade Mountains will be a challenge. Just west of Winthrop, ~ 200 miles west from here, the planned route currently has about a 10 mile road closure. We're all wondering what to do.  It is not a simple detour, it involves several days of riding.  There just aren't that many options in this part of Washington. We are lucky that we have the truck, and we can move from the farthest point to which Steve can bike to the other side of the mountain with one very long day in the truck.  Then Steve could start again at the point where the road is open, missing only the closure miles where he is not allowed to go.  We'll just have to wait and see.

We really want to see our old Army buddy, Hank Cramer, and his wife. They live in Winthrop.

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