It was time to play!!
We left Bellevue about 6:00 PM and headed for Mount Vernon where we spent the night before a day of riding on Sunday with Cheryl’s cousin Keith.
Along the way we called my daughter Marissa who lives in Oso, between Arlington and Darrington. They often go to Mount Vernon and surrounding towns like Conway and La Conner. We thought maybe she could refer us to a good place to eat near our motel.
Well, she came through with a recommendation of Skagit River Brewery. Great setting in an old building right next to an active railroad track, where freight and Amtrak trains rumble by…mere feet from our table in fact! Have you ever noticed how BIG locomotives are??? Service was great, food was delicious and the prices were good. Oh, and the beer wasn’t bad either! Haha I had the Skagit River "Steelie" Brown Ale – “Favored for its luscious malt character and smooth finish. The Brown Ale's caramel, roast and chocolate flavors go well with many foods.” We both had hamburgers and waffle fries while we played Five Crowns. Cheryl had a cheddar cheeseburger, and I had a blue cheese burger with bacon added.
Yummers.We slept in Sunday morning – oh yeah… Then about 10:00 we headed out to the next exit north on I-5 where we were to meet Cheryl’s cousin Keith. After meeting up with him we rode Chuckanut Dr to Fairhaven, where Keith’s wife Jane met us for breakfast.
The drive along Chuckabut Drive
was beautiful and fun. Hwy 11 travels along Samish Bay and then Bellingham Bay, passing through Larrabee State Park along the way to Fairhaven. 
(Fairhaven is actually part of Bellingham, but shhhhh… Don’t tell the status conscience people of Fairhaven…). Here’s another site with pictures of the beauty of Chuckanut Drive.We met Jane at the Harris Ave Café, on yes you guessed it, Harris Avenue. (Thanks for the material Jane!) “The Harris Avenue Café is the kind of place that instantly invites you off the street and into its cozy bosom. Located at street level in a vintage downtown Fairhaven building, this café’s warm and earthy yellow and orange walls at once put you in the mood to just relax and gaze at the world going by.” After waiting for about 25 minutes on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant, petting the dogs that sauntered by, we ended up in the patio area – beautiful setting. I had Texas Taters – a scramble with potatoes, chorizo, serrano chiles, a couple different kinds of cheese, and topped, by me, with a healthy douse of Tobasco sauce! Yummers…
After breakfast, Jane headed off to school… She is a principal and getting ready for the new school year requires some extra hours! Keith, Cheryl and I headed for Keith and Jane’s house in Lynden…via backroads of course!
Once to their house, Keith realized we were locked out…but ahhh, there was one small window open. Oh, sometimes it’s not good to be 6’ 5”! haha Anyway, we got in and were able to see the house and meet Sasha and Buddy, their very friendly dogs!
And now… On to Artist Point at Mt. Baker. What a ride! Artist Point – “There may be gold at the end of a rainbow, but that would pale with the reward of reaching the end of the Mt. Baker Highway at Artist Point – a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of lakes, meadows, snow and steep mountains. This area is open for only a short time in the summer.”
We wound our way UP Hwy 542 where there were numerous 15-mph switchbacks…and I MEAN 15 mph! The scenery was beautiful – well, at least what I dared take my eyes off the road to view that is! Cheryl actually had the camera out and was taking pictures from the back seat of the motorcycle! 
She did a great job.We reached the top where there were still patches of snow! We walked a bit, took some pics, hit the pit-toilets and then headed down. And on the way down we did a lot more scraping of the kickstand and running boards on the way up! Woohoo. Good thing my wife loves and trusts me! Haha
Then we headed for the Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro in Bellingham to meet Jane for dinner. “A no smoking, all ages establishment, The Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro has been in business since 1995, catering to locals and out-of-towners alike. While our beer has won award after award, it is balanced by a selection of food that will bring you back all on its own. All presented to you in a unique atmosphere of energy, artistry, community and hospitality.” Cheryl had the Yam Alechiladas and I had chicken enchiladas accompanied by a “Scotch” - With a similar malt profile to its more famous cousin Scotch whisky, this smooth, strong beer is complex with a lingering hop finish. Original Gravity 1.064
After eating and visiting, Cheryl and I began our 110-mile ride home. We got home at about 10:30 PM, tummies full of good food, lungs full of fresh air and smiles on our faces. And went straight to bed…
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