R O A D   T R I P   T O   S P O K A N E ,   W A

Monday, July 19th 2004

I guess it was a good thing I parked only in the most exclusive neighborhoods as opposed to just anywhere when I was up in Vancouver. There is nothing worse, aside from a missing van, to see a broken window after coming back from a long day of bike riding. Makes one feel rather violated.

With returned keys and license in hand, I make my way back to the van to continue my adventure. While pulling out I snap a few parting shots and as I was driving away I see Agent Sim walking to his car, having just finished his shift. He gets my attention and points to a parked pickup truck nearby with a broken back window, just to prove his point I guess. I then pull up to him and ask if I could take his picture for the website. With a smile on his face he responds with a single word. NO! Oh well, it was worth a try.

From US Customs I continue South on I-5 for a bit and don't see a whole lot. As they say, travel the country via the Interstate and you'll see next to nothing.

Fortunately, the scenery starts to spice up once I exit I-5 and head East on SR-20, the North Cascade Highway. Life is good once again. Taking the SR-20 route actually adds about 2 hours to my trip but it is definitely worth it. Supposedly there's a book called Blue Highways that'll educate you on many interesting backroads that are a ways off the beaten path. I'm sure SR-20 is in that book.

As I drive I start to encounter large meadows surrounded by foothills. Farming, both cattle and produce, appears to be the predominate industry in these parts.