This was the official back to civilization day.  Long lines of cars that need to be passed, with long lines of cars coming the other way that need to be avoided while passing.  Still some beautiful country but we came this way on the way up, so it’s the same thing just a different direction.

Today started out cold and wet.  We both started out in our full rain and cold gear & were glad for the decision.  It wasn’t pouring down or anything just one of those spitting continuously rains that while not enough to make your wear a rain coat, is certainly enough to keep you off the golf course.  None of the golf courses we passed had anyone on them, I was looking; already thinking about golf again – still a long ways from home to start that.  Then again, we’ve been gone for two weeks and I’ll be home in three days…..

So, that was the first 300 miles or so, but in Cache Creek it started to warm up a little and it looked like we might be fairly dry for the rest of our ride down to Bellingham.  We stopped for gas at a station that just happened to have an A&W associated with it.  They were doing a land office business in there but we waited our turn & enjoyed a burger and root beer for lunch.

As we descended out of the mountains, it really started getting warmer.  I had to pull over and take my electric jacket liner out – it hadn’t been on for a long time but even just the liner was getting to be too much; while I was at it I switched to my summer gloves.  I still had my gaiters and rain pants on though and that was going to have to change pretty quick.  OK – construction stop, we go straight to the front and ask the flagman how long it’s going to be.  He doesn’t say but tells us what the last car in the line will be since they are already coming.  Fast as we can Rich and I are stripping off rain gear and cold weather gear and stuffing it in our saddle bags.  I don’t have time to get my rain pants off though and we jump back on the bikes, first in line for the one way construction zone.  Well – the vehicle we were in front of was a heavy truck and most of the one way road was up hill, so when we got to the end of the construction we were far enough ahead of the line of traffic that I had time to finish getting out of all my extra gear.  THAT felt good – first time I’ve been able to ride in jeans and a t-shirt since the day we left.

Pulled into the Econo Lodge here in Bellingham around 1645.  It was another great choice, right next to a casino that is also a bar and restaurant.  It’s also right next to the freeway but we can’t really hear any freeway noise.  It’s good to be back in the good old USA.