| Artists Point Ride 8-5-09 |
Artists Point Ride - Ride Synopsis |
| By - JohnG Following our August meeting we had a small group for the ride to Artist Point. We had John G & Margie, Robert, Laurie, Lenny, plus Wayne & Laura. Lenny would be Road Captain with John as Tail Gunner. We rode through Sedro-Woolley and then north on Highway 9. The sun was shining and it was a very pleasant 75 degrees. We followed Highway 9 to Mt Baker Highway. We stopped at the Shell station by the turn off for Silver Lake to fuel up and use the restroom. Lenny indicated he would head home from that point. Robert volunteered to fill in for John as Tail Gunner. John asked everyone about the speed so far and everyone approved the pace. We rode up the snaky switchbacks to the top of the Mt Baker ski area and stopped for the obligatory photos of Mt Shuksan. No matter how many times I stop there it is still one of the most beautiful vistas on the planet. We proceeded on to a right turn out that led to a visitor’s center. John and Margie went up to check it out. They sold a 2’ x 4’ poster of Mt Shuksan inside for $39. It was a beautiful poster, but too steep for me. We finished the ride up to Artist Point. Wayne needed to stay with his trike or transition to his wheelchair. He chose to motor about the parking lot checking the view from each corner. Margie, Robert, Laurie, John and Laura went for a short hike up the trail to photograph Mt Baker, Baker Lake and the panoramic vistas. As we returned to the bikes Wayne was there and completely encircled by his audience. Observers in the parking lot were quizzing Wayne about his trike and paraplegic status. Wayne seemed to thrive on the attention and was enjoying the spotlight. We saddled up for the departure down the mountain. Wayne informed us that he and Laura needed to head off immediately. They left quickly. The rest of the group stopped for a cold drink and a sandwich in Maple Falls. We headed back via Highway 9 to Park and split off around Cain Lake Road. |
