Leg #4 - September 2007 - Doug Routh and his wife escort the Gnome to Washington and Mt Rainier.
| The Gnome and I spent the weekend riding around Washington. We started out from Duvall for a trip down to Mt Rainier. I've lived in Washington my entire life and I had never been to Mt Rainier. So we made our way south through the towns of Maple Valley, Black Diamond, Enumclaw, Greenwater and then into Mt Rainer National Park and up to Sunrise Lodge and overlook. The weather was perfect and the mountain was breathtaking. After leaving the park we headed over Chinook Pass which too was a first. Nice mountain road through the forest and valleys. Once I hit Yakima I headed north to Ellensburg were I was planning on jumping on I-90 and head for home. The weather was so nice and it was still early in the day so I decided to head over Blewitt Pass and to one of my favorite towns, Leavenworth. From there is was non-stop run home. We did 388 miles and not one complaint from the little fella. The next day the Gnome, my wife, and I jumped on our motorcycles for another day of wonderful riding. This time we took the ferry over to Whidbey Island and headed north to Deception Pass. We stopped off at Fort Casey where as a 5th grader I spent a week on a school field trip. Seeing the barracks and the parade field brought back memories. We left Fort Casey and stopped at Deception Pass State Park for some lunch. Next up was Deception Pass itself and the walk across the bridge. Man you are way up there. From here we headed across Skagit Valley towards the Cascades. This part of the ride took us through Burlington, Concrete and Darrington Washington. Absolutely beautiful part of the state. We did 222 miles and still no complaints from the Gnome. There is something special about this Gnome. When ever you pull him out of the bag it immediately puts a smile on those that see him. Everyone ask what's up with the Gnome. So we tell his story and everyone thinks its pretty cool. Even had the Ferry Caption holler out window to the bridge and ask what the Gnome was for. He thought we were shooting a commercial. -- Doug Routh |
Thanks to Doug for his story and the wonderful pictures!
Where is Followe the Gnome off to next as we head into the Autumn season?? He has gone coast to coast from June til September! Will he head north or south? Will he back-track back east... or continue west to foreign lands? Who will be the next humans to be enchanted by the Gnome?
Stay tuned....
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