Today would be all about the climb. The third big one in five days and this one the tallest. Sherman Pass at 5,575 feet. The climbing STRAIGHT UP . . .

. . . gave one plenty of time to look around. Here was a table laying in the ditch that our friend Darla from Marblemount would have loved to have. It even had four legs!.

Oh boy up we go!

Sad to see this fawn lying in the road . . . not much road kill here in WA. Beautiful animal.

After three hours it was finally time to summit. The truck in the photo is typical of the log haulers we have been dealing with for the past week. They give you ZERO room on the road and would just as soon we were not riding. Today David was blown into the ditch by one today and crashed!!!

This is what it looks like as you approach the top of a pass.. YIPPEE Finally a 25 mile downhill. The longest I have ever ridden. NO PEDALING . .  .just controlling the speed.

There was a GREAT USFS Civilian Conservation Corps display on the way down . . .

. . .  with lots of great exhibits.

We finally made it to Kettle Falls after a very long day. Camping in the Great View campground . . .

The week of climbing has taken its toll. One of our riders has rented a van and is traveling ahead to Sandpoint and will meet us there. Another is having problems with his Achilles tendons because of all the climbing.  Everyone’s REAR END is sore!!!

Jill, out campground host stopped by to make sure we had everything we needed in the way of creature comforts during our stay.

Busy cutting up 4 pounds of stew meat!

Mike N and I had cooking duty today and used a beef stew recipe out of the ACA  cookbook. Served with a salad, worm bread, and cake for dessert.

YUM . . .

. . . and more yum. There wasn’t much of anything left.

We are done with the Cascades and on the way to the Rockies!!!!