Adventures with Yogi and Boone

June 11 & 12th

Back to the Past....or at Least 2006

WINTHROP, WA TO TONASKET TO OROVILLE WA

Nineteen years ago-yep, you read that right, nineteen-Bob and I each set off on a Life-changing bike journeys across the United States. It was 2006, and while we didn't know each other yet, we both stated from Washington and pedaled our way across the northern tier of the country, all the way to Bar Harbor, Maine.

Bob was brave (or possibly just really stubborn?) and rode solo.  I had the good fortune to ride with my amazing friend Devra (spelled D-E-V-R-A, thank you very much), and little did we all know just how much that summer would shape our lives.  We were unknowingly riding the same roads, just days apart, cranking our way through charming little towns like Mazama, Winthrop, Twisp, and Tenasket-each of which we've just revisited over the last two days.

Being back in Winthrop was like stepping into a memory-except now we travel with Yogi (the van) and Boone, our four-legged co-pilot. And have considerably less bug bites. We camped on the shores of Pearrygin Lake in Winthrop.  Both of us couldn't stop reflecting on how lucky we felt back then-starting such a wild, ambitious adventure with no idea how it would unfold.  Even wilder? That two strangers riding the same route in the same summer wouldn't actually meet until almost the very end of the trip.  

We We finally crossed paths just before Bar Harbor, in a small town, not unlike Winthrop. Booneville, NY. Yes!  Boone is named after Booneville, NY.

It was as if the universe had been slowly guiding us together, one pedal stroke at a time. (Cue the sappy movie montage with inspiration music and lots of spandex.)

Today, as we drove from Twisp to Tonasket, we both-almost simultaneously-started reciting a jingle that apparently lives rent-free in both our heads:

"A-tisket, a-tasket, we are going to Tonasket"

If you have ever done a long bike ride, you know the brain weirdness that happens. I remember that stretch of road like it was yesterday-hot, hilly, and just straight enough to make your mind go loopy. Devra, if you're reading this, I know you were singing it too. Probably with a tone of increasing desperation.

As we rolled into Tonasket, Bob started reminiscing about Shannon's Ice Cream Parlor & Restaurant. A sweet little stop where he not only got an ice-cream cone, but also camped out next to the front deck and was invited to dinner with Shannon and her family after closing time. (Classic Bob-he makes lifelong friends everywhere, even with people serving sundaes)

The shop is no longer Shannon's-it's now the Creekside Restaurant-but here's where it gets cool:  The couple we met out front: They're the ones who bought it from Shannon.  Not only that, but they were literally going to see her later that day. What are the Chances?

So naturally we took a picture of Bob (and Boone, of course) in front of the building, and they offered to share it with Shannon. Who knows? Maybe there's a reunion in the works. either way, it was a full-circle moment in the sweetest way possible. 

Tonight, we're staying in Oroville at the stunning Esther Bricques Vineyard.  There's live music planned, we are ready to soak up the evening vibes-good wine, good tunes, and a very tried dog who's already claimed the best spot in the yard.

And Tomorrow?

Canada, here we come!

Bob, Sherry and Boone