{"id":8076,"date":"2013-06-27T19:46:55","date_gmt":"2013-06-27T23:46:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=8076"},"modified":"2013-08-01T16:46:55","modified_gmt":"2013-08-01T20:46:55","slug":"day-6-wednesday-june-26-tonasket-to-republic-washington","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=8076","title":{"rendered":"Day 6. Wednesday, June 26 – Tonasket to Republic, Washington"},"content":{"rendered":"
Coasted down four blocks for breakfast, only to find we were the last of the bikers bellying up to the breakfast troth. \"\"<\/a> Had\u00a0a hearty breakfast of blueberry pancakes \"\"<\/a> while trading stories with the two other couples there; Bill and Linda from Langley, British Columbia\"\"<\/a> and Doug, Donna and their darling dog from Prince George BC.\"\"<\/a> By seven, we all packed up and immediately started our uphill climb.\"\"<\/a>The morning was beautiful,\"\"<\/a> overcast, yet no rain,\"\"<\/a>the mercury reaching for 60; perfect for the tough climb we had ahead of us. \u00a0We traveled past farms\"\"<\/a> and<\/span> hillsides with very few trees but lots of low shrubs in beautiful hues of green;\"\"<\/a>fortunately, the recent rains had left most of the growth green.\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n
We had a light tail wind for most of the morning with an occasional whip around to the face. \u00a0The day\u00a0a had a serene kind of beauty and peacefulness, not much traffic to interrupt the sound of the birds and crickets.\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n
At the 14 mile mark the fields disappeared and the trees filled the hills to the road’s edge.\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n
Had an early lunch at the only outpost between here and there. \u00a0The\u00a0Wauconda Cafe is a vintage country store and post office,\"\"<\/a> circa 1930, originally built on the other side of the mountain in 1898; during the gold rush days. \u00a0We enjoyed our lunch break (this was supposed to be a small cup of soup), \"\"<\/a> rest and the local conversation, but we had two more miles to reach our pass for the day. \u00a0Shortly before 1:30, we completed our straight up 28 mile climb. \"\"<\/a> We only had to pedal about 50% of the time on our thirteen mile ride into town, \"\"<\/a> the air filled with the smell of Christmas trees. \u00a0And though we saw many showers during the day, we managed to dodge all the raindrops today; it was a wonderful ride!<\/span><\/div>\n
And then we stepped back in time as we arrived in the town of Republic. \"\"<\/a> Barely reaching the edge of town, someone comes out of their shop to ask if we needed directions. \u00a0Seeing where our hotel was,\"\"<\/a> we declined, so she offered a recommendation of the Brew House across the street,\"\"<\/a> should we need refreshments <\/em>after our days ride…….not us<\/em>! \u00a0\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n
Incredible town, the cars stop blocks in advance, if you are crossing the road, even a deer crosses the street without a problem. \u00a0Strolling along main street, people wave from the other side of the street and their cars; we felt like we were in a Twilight Zone capsule of genuinely friendly people….it’s a really good feeling. \u00a0We were sorry it was not time for a day off, as this town makes you feel welcome the instant you get here.<\/div>\n

Though legs are still tired, we felt pretty good about our 28 mile climb, 41 mile day. \u00a0Hopefully, we will have the same thought after tomorrow’s steeper climb.\n\t\t