The Blue Mountain Cafe

What a summer we are having in Western Washington!  Day after day of cloudless days with perfect temperatures - between 70 and 85 for highs.  The cool evenings allow us to sleep comfortably with windows open.  Although we have done many projects this summer, we have had time to get the motorcycle out for a ride quite often also.  Yesterday, we picked the Blue Mountain Cafe as our destination. 

 The entire ride from our house in Granite Falls to the Blue Mountain Cafe is about 60 miles, and every single mile is scenic.  Of course, all the roads are under construction - I think every bridge in the state is being replaced this summer.  But we managed to get through the bridge replacement project on Jim Creek on Jordan Road without too much delay.  On the way home, we slipped into Granite from Arlington on Burn Road, which is the only path through the maze without a one-lane section.

Highway 9 out of Arlington winds and twists past several lakes - this is Lake McMurray.  Big Lake and Clear Lake are next on the ride.  Then just before Sedro Woolley, we crossed the Skagit River.

Lots of debris piled up around the bridge supports shows how high the river has been recently.

On to Sedro Woolley

And another railroad park that we didn't visit.

Mt Baker peeking out from behind the closer ridge.

Hungry when we arrived at the Blue Mouninta Cafe, we were greeted by the smell of bread fresh from the oven.

Sparkling clean, inside and out - by far the best biker bar we have ever seen. We always choose to sit outside!

Fish and Chips and the "Awesome" sandwich.  Both delicious!

The grounds are beautiful,

and the view from the deck is amazing.

We had a really wonderful ride and a great lunch.

Motorcycle Ride to Sumas

Another beautiful day in the Pacific Northwest found us once again on the motorcycle.  This time we headed up to the Sumas border crossing into British Columbia. It is the perfect ride - through the Skagit and Whatcom County valleys with mountain and river views the entire way.  It is just about 100 miles - a perfect day trip.

We headed out Jordan Road to Arlington, following the South Fork of the Stillaguamish River.  

Highway 9 between Arlington and Sedro Wooley is dotted with lakes. We followed long, narrow Lake McMurray for a couple of miles, and then entered the forest for a few miles.

We had peek-a-boo views of Big Lake for many miles.

Mount Baker in the background, flourishing dairy farm fields in the foreground as we passed Big Lake and neared Clear Lake.

There was no place to stop in traffic as we went through Sedro Wooley, but the plaza when we entered the town was full of the most gorgeous flower display.

Mt Baker got closer and closer as we neared Acme, where we found the cleanest nicest biker bar we have ever been to.

Of course, it isn't just for bikers!  The food was excellent, and the view was wonderful.