The Hollow Whistle of Iron Horses
Visions of heavy steam engines chugging up dense forest mountainsides, clacking across steel girders spanning deep chasms cross your mind while cycling the Iron Horse trail from Snoqualmie Pass. Driving the scenic route from Abbotsford, Highway 9 winds through vast stretches of verdant farmland, including an abundant vineyard framed by the Cascade mountains to the east.North Bend, Washington is approximately a 2.5 hour drive from the Abbotsford, Huntingdon border on I-5 and I-90. The scenic route, Hwy 9 to Snohomish, east on SR (State Route) #2 to Monroe, turn right (south) on Wa-203 to Duvall and Wa-202 to Snoqualmie and North Bend, winds through some of the Pacific Northwest's most spectacular scenery. Hwy 9 is a secondary two-lane highway, dotted with lush green farms and dense forests, broken with numerous lakes along the way, including Lake Whatcom, Big Lake, Clear Lake and Lake McMurray. Be sure to stop by the acreage advertising bird houses, with ancient vintage cars in all kinds of disrepair parked haphazardly on the lawn.
A fill-up at the old-fashioned Lake McMurray Gas Station or a stop for snacks will introduce you to Yumi, the owner. Yumi, originally from Japan, settled in Lake McMurray 36 years ago after purchasing the store/gas station. Her initial immigration into the US had her settling in California, steadily moving northward in three different cities. The Pacific Northwest's similarity to Japan drew her to Lake McMurray, eventually purchasing the properties on both sides of the gas station . Her passion for flowers is evident year round, with flowers blooming inside and outside. Through the back door of her store, an abundant garden flourishes in the rear where several pots of beautiful orchids are carefully placed for fresh air and sunlight.
Her home next door is a vintage 1910 model that she spent 8 years renovating and restoring. Owning all three properties on the curve of the road ensures that no one will build around her, leaving her an unimpeded overlook of the lake.
Further east and south, both Monroe and Duvall are small cities teeming with history and well worth a visit on their own, each one proudly displaying restored historic storefronts housing modern businesses. Southeast, past Falls City (be sure to take an inner tube for floating under the bridge in the summer), Snoqualmie Falls, the hydroelectric plant, warrants a stop to view the impressive dynamism of the falls as they crash 81.6M (268 feet) into the river below.
After observing the falls, a short drive to the City of Snoqualmie greets visitors
with the Northwest Railway Museum, the massive ancient engines and cars sidelined on unused tracks at the city's entrance. North Bend Motel offers clean rooms with a fridge and microwave. They do not supply coffee pots or coffee, but Twede's Cafe, boasting a traditional 1950's decor about three blocks west, serves a "damn fine coffee" in large mugs with bottomless refills. For $10.00, buying a pound of coffee beans is well worth it, it's tagline a testament to its smooth flavour.
Twede's Cafe's breakfasts are large and delicious. Their Denver omelette is stuffed full of peppers, onions, cheese and ham, and fills an entire platter. They gladly substitute a side of four pieces of bacon for a lack of hash browns and potatoes without up-charging. Between their "damn fine coffee" and delicious omelette and bacon, you're more than fuelled for the day.
....continued.....
This is the first blog of ? of a travel article I wrote on cycling from the top of Snoqualmie Mountain a couple of years ago. It'll be two years next week, and I'm dying to go back there and experience it again. I will post the next part tomorrow.