Sunday August 24, 2008 -- Republic, Washington 1 a.m.

Drexel writes:

Well I didn’t make it as far as I thought I would have (80 miles) but I over looked one small thing Wauconda pass 4300 foot I missed it on my map I thought I had an easy day and the wind was at my back moving right along and BAM I thought this feels like another pass I pulled over and checked my map and some wise ass had added it because it wasn’t there earlyier in the day...

I got off to a very late start this am ok this afternoon 1pm I was up at 6 am repacked my bike and it's as it should be now. Ashley that was your bike until 1 pm today you said I would have to tweak it and make it mine you were so right!!! Now me the bike and the road are one and what a difference I had to much weight on the back and piled to high making the bike very unstable I thought it was going to throw me a few times yo Ashlee I told you I was picking up what you were laying down!!

I had a very healthy Bfast LOL but a guy can only eat so much 7 grain cereal.

I met 3 sisters 87,85 and 39 ok she finally told me 75 and the 85 year old son they were so much fun to talk with and restored my faith in the people from Washington. I was getting worried as no one I mean no one waves going down the road it has become a game with me I will wave like a mad man just to piss them off.

After that I went to Tonasket WA pop 994 and some kids were fascinated That I was riding a bike across the US. We talked for 1 hour I gave them 5 bucks a piece and told them to always listen to their MOM and Dad's go to church and set goals.. See that long haired kid that was me over 30 years ago. The great part about a Mt pass is the long downhill over the pass 7 miles today at a 6% 40 MPH… The deer in the picture jumped yes jumped the road 5 feet in front of me I put my camera on top of the handle bar bag for such photo ops missed my chance early in ghe ride to take a pic of a black bear running across the road. As for the fruit ther iw organic fruit and ORGASMIC fruit how cool is that right off the tree!!!!

Leaving Republic early am I hope climbing over Sherman pass 5600 ft they say it's a beautiful climb and mt top, Kettle falls Collville,newport etc no guess on distance the say it's a tough ride.

I am having the time of my life very tired but my cup is running over.. There is nothing greater than seeing this beautiful US on a Bicycle..

Tony made it back home thanks for the prayers 4300 miles in 4 days that’s a whole lotta gone in a hurry!!!! Please any of my friends in MO if you get a chance stop by and say high to my momma she is at Christian health care east nursing home south of Sims she loves Ice cream and shrimp or shakes from sonic.

More later Very tired 1 am here 3 am there

Thank you sooooooo much to Jill Brown for hooking us up with the Blog her and Bruce have always always been there for me!!!!

Happy B Day Sherre Lane !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!