5/11 Roll on Columbia: Wentachee to Chelan

We're surprised to find a fairly warn, sunny and dry day. Forget the weather forecasters; it's a great day. Well, there's quite a bit of wind but it's behind us, blowing us forward most of the day. We never complain about tailwinds.

After leaving the Columbia and Wertachee rivers, we're on a highway for 15 miles. There's a wide shoulder and not many cars so all is well. We have cappuccino and mile 20 and turn North, climbing a couple of hills. We are in the forest, then open among the hills. After a screaming descent at mile 36 we see Lake Chelan. Most of today I'm riding with Brenda, Jim and Carig. At mile 38 we all take a 20 mile detour along the south shore of the lake to 25 Mile Creek. Then re-trace our steps, more quickly now since it's more downhill than up and the wind is again at our backs.

I'm real hungry when we get to out lodging at 2:00 after 70 miles of cycling. The lodge has wonderful patios so we walk across the street and buy sandwiches at Safeway and have a picnic overlooking the pool, hot tub and lake.

After lunch, Jim and I do the second option for the day, the Manson Loop. Although there is a lot of climbing at the start (1,000 feet), this is a great ride. You can easily think you're in Tuscany or France. There are vineyards and orchards with snow-capped mountains in the background. After we crest the top, it's downhill for 7 miles, switchback by switchback. This is as good as any cycling anywhere in Europe. I end up riding 85 miles and climbing 4,000 feet.

After our "happy hour" we go to Tsillan Winery for wine tasting and a great Italian dinner. It doesn't get better than this.