October 1

If you are ever in Chelan, WA, have a meal at the Apple Cup Cafe. The Swedish Pancakes with lingonberries for breakfast was excellent. Then I drove down to the dock for Lady of the Lake Boat Company. Unbeknownst to me at the time was Sara and her husband were sitting across from me at the restaurant. They met me on the boat while we sat/stood for the 2.5 hours it takes to go the 50 miles on Lake Chelan to reach Stehekin, the focal point of civilization in Lake Chelan NRA. The boat stops at a couple of places on the shore, such as Lucerne, where 70+ people boarded. They had just completed a stay at Holden Village, way up in the mountains, and wanted a couple hours in Stehekin before leaving. Visitors who come for a “day trip” usually hop on one of two buses; Stehekin Pastry Company (aka “the Bakery”) or Rainbow Falls. I have been to both before, so I took the McKellar Cabin Trail and a portion of the Imus Creek Trail. The park’s VC was open, thanks to the continuing spending bill Congress passed yesterday. No doubt millions of people are relieved on this subject, but let’s see what happens with Congress between now and November 14.

The Lady Express was full going back down the lake. Then it was US 97 north to WA 153, to WA 20, to get to Twisp for the night.