The Downeys Assemble! And on to the great North.

We continued around the western edge of the Olympic peninula, staying two nights at Sequim WA.  Those of you who have followed the blog since the beginning may recognize the next stop:  Hurricane Ridge, above Port Angeles WA.  We had planned to take the ferry to Victoria BC but the weather still was crummy.  We figured that the worst that would happen is we would see more clouds at the top of the park.  We got a surprise.  Although the coast was overcast and drizzly, we broke through the clouds and got clear weather.

Above the clouds,

View from halfway up Hurricane Ridge, across the Straits of Juan de Fuca.

Mike at Hurricane Ridge.

For the past 20-some years, every two years,  my brothers, their wives, and I have met someplace for a few days.  We usually have some of our offspring joining us, depending on where we meet.  We have done Kansas City, Kent WA, Elephant Butte NM, Ireland.

This was our year to gather.  Brother Dick and his wife Marge met us in Kent WA where brother Mike and his wife Kathy have lived for years.  Our late oldest brother Larry's daughter, Dana, joined us this year, to our great surprise and enjoyment.  

Left Kent heading north to Northern Cascades National Park.  Our bad weather followed us.  We had no more passed the sign indicating the beginning of the park than the rain started.Gloomy and dismal for probably 20 miles.  

We noticed how little water was in the river which the road followed and wondered why, as there was still enough snow to generate snowmelt.  Then we saw why:  a big hydroelectric dam. 

Must look like a tsunami when they open the gates.

So it's a pretty drive if you don't have to avoid the bike event jerks who feel entitled to ride down the middle of the vehicle lane and REFUSE to move over.  Darwin Award candidates, all of them.

Next post:  CANADA!