Cascade
Loop

June 2007

As you might have noticed from the previous photo, we unfortunately were experiencing some wet weather and overcast skies, not uncommon to the northwest.

A review of the various guidebooks will lead you to the Cascade Loop, which covers the northwest corner of Washington state, but our schedule limited us to the southern portion of the Cascade Loop, leading us southeast from Everett, Washington on Highway 2.

After a short ride, we were approaching the mountains and while the weather was only overcast - not raining - we noticed that the clouds seemed to be trapped on the western side of the mountains and a bit later, we would see the differences after we crossed the summit.

There were many places to stop along the edge of the road. This particular stop had a short path to the river's edge with a boulder in the middle of the stream.

It's fascinating, with thanks to the national and state park services, that there is still so much unspoiled wilderness in the American west.

While wilderness abounds, there are ever present reminders of the settlement of the American west, particularly in terms of the role of the railroads.

Pictured here is one of the many railroad bridges that cross the rivers and valleys.