My immune system gets all suppressed after completing Ironman races. Therefore I like to avoid crowded places and public transportation. So the perfect solution for me was to get off the busy freeways and travel along the back roads of Washington state. I jumped onto Highway #2 just west of Spokane and headed out onto the wide open plains.
The scenery was spectacular and there was very little traffic so the driving was quite effortless. This was just what I needed. I was in no hurry so I really took my time, stopping every couple of hours to eat and drink or sometimes just to walk about in the wide open spaces.
One of my first stops was at the Grand Coulee Dam. I had not been here since my childhood so I enjoyed the visit. There was a tour and light show however that would have involved hanging out with other gringo’s so confined my visit to a walk around the visitor centre. That was quite enough.
The weather was still a little variable so I decided to press on to Lake Chelan which lies in the arid Okanagan Valley. I am so glad that I did because it was gorgeous there. It was warm and sunny as I drove through the many valleys that were lined with orchards and vineyards.
I spent a couple of days at the 25 Mile campground on Lake Chelan. It was totally relaxing. There wasn’t much to do but swim, nap, eat, read and have a beer or two. At night, all I could hear was the rushing water of a nearby stream. It was the perfect location to unwind and recover from Ironman Coeur d’Alene.
Ironman Recovery Centre
After my stay in Lake Chelan, I continued west leaving the arid valley behind as I began the climb up into the Cascade Mountains. The first stop on the way was in the Bavarian themed town of Leavenworth. Here even the local McDonalds was festooned with (someones idea of) Bavarian architecture.
Faux Bavaria
On (and up) I continued until I got to the top of Stevens Pass where there were remnants of snow on the mountains even in June.
A couple of hours later I arrived home relaxed, unhurried and happy. A perfect post-Ironman state to be in.
