It was that kind of day, the kind of day where the camera and the photos are an afterthought because the ride was so nice.
We were supposed to do this yesterday, but we got a slow start, and then the weather was more <meh>, so we did other things.
Today was a much better start to the day and we got ourselves out the door and down to the border crossing at Sumas a little later than intended, by an hour or so, but is did work out perfectly for timing lunch at the Blue Mountain Grill. The restaurant was historically a bit of a biker destination, mainly Harley’s, and they had a rider’s memorial garden. The menu was typical burger fare, but good, and the location was always perfect in that it lies about halfway if doing the loop down Mount Baker Highway and back up Chuckanut Drive, or vice versa. Always a good rest stop.
We’d looked on line and seen that it had changed ownership, the menu still had a few of the traditional burgers, BLT, and such….but now…something new….lots of Thai dishes. A clue as to the new ownership.
We crossed at Sumas, and immediately determined that Kirk needs a new battery for his bike. He’d rolled up to the guard, shut off the motorcycle….and not been able to start it. He pushed it into the shade and, after a few minutes of cooling off (sitting in the short line on a hot morning, with the cooling fan running, had taxed the battery too much apparently) it came back to life.
My crossing had been much more straightforward today than Friday’s debacle. I’d rolled up, shut off the bike, handed over my Nexus card (and did not lose it this time) and was entertained by the guard who said I didn’t need to take off my helmet and he’d squint and see if he could see the resemblance from the eyes alone. Apparently it worked, because ha handed the card back and looked my bike over and said “You are riding a “thowwwwwsand” cc sportbike!” To which I smiled and said “Yes, yes I am”.
He smiled and told me to have a great ride…
We tried a road I’d long wanted to ride, but just never had. I usually come back up this way and, after a long day riding, I’d always looked but thought better of the added distance when I was tired. But today we were running the ride in reverse and Silver Lake Road was the first twisted edge off the main road.
And it was glorious. The road was nice, the traffic was non-existent, and the scenery was lovely. It was a definite do-again.
Out front here, back down to 548, and then a second side trip out around Mosquito Lake Road. A road I’ve done many times, never int he reverse direction, and not for six or seven years. It was like a brand new ride. I seriously do not remember the old one lane Bailey bridge…at all.
And once back on the main road just north of Acme, it was a quick ride down to the Blue Mountain Grill. We’d passed, going the other direction iron, a long line of Porches and, as we pulled into the Blue Mountain Grill, they all came back down the highway from eh North and started to turn into the parking lot.
Quick, get inside and grab a table outside in the shade!
Perfect timing on our part.
The menu was a touch choice, lots of new items, much of it Thai, and all of it delicious sounding.
The new owners are absolutely lovely and seemed genuinely thrilled to have us stop in. Service was excellent. The food was excellent. They were so kind to us, and seemed so happy when we said that we’d see them again. The lack of other riders tells me that there may have been a bit of rejection of the change by the traditional clientele….but we will definitely be back! It can’t have been an easy go taking over a restaurant that has a historical clientele, in a relatively remote area, in a country that has seen its share of xenophobic attitude towards certain nationalities. I hope they do well, they were a win for us.
Also, I love that iced tea in the US is not sweet.
From there, it was across on Park Road and down around the bottom of Whatcom Lake, to pop out at Alger. I was not impressed to encounter a patch of gravel and potholed road that I am absolutely certain was in the exact same condition six years ago, and the road into Alger included a very long stretch of freshly oiled and chip sealed road that wigged me out with its shiny slick surface and overpowering oil smell. I was very happy to get off that road finally.
But Chuckanut was mostly a dream…except for the terrified driver in front of us who braked at completely random moments and finally made me pull into a parking lot to allow him to get somewhere far, far, ahead.
A quick break in Birch Bay to stretch and have a drink of water…..and then straight (‘ish) on home.
A roughly 350km day, a stop at Trader Joe’s for a few things, and a visit to an old restaurant under new ownership….today was a win.
Oh, and Kirk needs a new battery before we go anywhere again.