the other Leavenworth

[Jonz_imp]

Had my Friday free so I went riding. Since I wanted to put a few hours and miles in I decided on Hwy 2 over Stevens Pass to Leavenworth for lunch, about 120 miles from home. At the last minute I tried to contact Gary (forum member) since he lives close to Hwy 2. But I might have not sent the message or something? ( Computer dummy here)Anyway a solo ride.
A glorious day it was. Left Seattle late enough to miss morning rush hour-9:15ish and via the "Ben Howard Road" got to Sultan, where I caught Hwy 2 at about 10. Just before the summit I passed a parade of antique and vintage cars, mostly open tops in the cool Mtn. air. Made me wish I could take pics like the Ferret, on the move. I thought about stopping at the top to snap some shots of the horseless carriages as they crested, but I didn't want to stop yet. Besides Hwy 2 is beautiful all the way up and down heading east or west, the summit itself is ugly for the 1/4 mile your on top. Too much pavement- I guess for exits to skis lift and DOT snow removal equipment.
So here's a few pics:
1) Leavenworth is on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mtns. which are a lot drier than the western slopes. They have a building code that requires everything to look like the Swiss Alps, kinda cute and kinda over the top touristy.
[url=http://s300.photobucket.com/user/jonz1/media/over%20Hwy2-%20May%208th%2015/IMG_5058_zps6fkx1mkt.jpg.html]
2)I did find some good mood food! It was the right place to eat. And to those of you who might be thinking that Washington State's newly legalized substance was involved-no it's just coffee, pastries, and sandwiches.
[url=http://s300.photobucket.com/user/jonz1/media/over%20Hwy2-%20May%208th%2015/IMG_5057_zpsg4fomeyd.jpg.html]
3)Getting my gear back on I noticed some nearby commotion and went to check it out. This is a pic of a large red butterfly the guys had just trapped in a plastic cup with a few leaves in it. I'd never seen anything like it. Not much in the focus dept. but the only other wildlife I saw was a dead deer on the side of the road.
[url=http://s300.photobucket.com/user/jonz1/media/over%20Hwy2-%20May%208th%2015/IMG_5056_zpsyh7z8zku.jpg.html]
4)Wenatchee River
[url=http://s300.photobucket.com/user/jonz1/media/over%20Hwy2-%20May%208th%2015/IMG_5059_zps17gy5qom.jpg.html]
5)I got some favorable comments on an earlier post about catching my refection in my mirror, so of course I over did the technique.
[url=http://s300.photobucket.com/user/jonz1/media/over%20Hwy2-%20May%208th%2015/IMG_5062_zpsn2umlwdl.jpg.html]
6)One eyed landscape
[url=http://s300.photobucket.com/user/jonz1/media/over%20Hwy2-%20May%208th%2015/IMG_5063_zpsbo12dp9y.jpg.html]
7)The CB looks like it wants a swim
[url=http://s300.photobucket.com/user/jonz1/media/over%20Hwy2-%20May%208th%2015/IMG_5060_zpsile3rhpr.jpg.html]
8)Back on the wet side
[url=http://s300.photobucket.com/user/jonz1/media/over%20Hwy2-%20May%208th%2015/IMG_5064_zpsbzurlubc.jpg.html]