WRAP-UP ON THE WINTHROP WROUNDUP

Submitted by,

George & Kathy Ridderbusch

Jack & Linda Keyes

One could not ask for a better late-July day to start off on any easy drive over Washington Pass surrounded by the breathtaking peaks of the North Cascades. George and Kathy Ridderbusch, co-hosts, lead a group of twelve cars, including a "furrin" car from Japan, through the back roads of Arlington, Darrington, Rockport, and Newhalem.

A make-your-own sandwich lunch was provided by Tootsie at the Eatery at Clark’s Skagit Resort in Rockport. In addition to being 89 and born where the Resort is located, Tootsie is renowned for providing hot chocolate and her famous cinnamon rolls to the crews opening up the North Cascades highway each winter. A real gem! Joining up with the group was Bruce and Dyann Myers from Portland in their 356, and their friends, Ryan Phelps and Lisa Johnson, driving another "furrin" car from Germany.

An impromptu stop was made just a few miles up Highway 20 to take in the beautiful Ladder Creek Falls at Newhalem, just below Gorge Lake. Although not particularly high, the Falls contain multiple levels that have carved a course through the solid rock. Great photo opportunities and a chance to walk off a little of the lunch.

After settling in to the quaint Mazama Country Inn, the group descended on the roaring (literally!) town of Winthrop. Although the motorcycle groups pretty well staked out the center of town as their domain, open parking was available at one end of town. The biker groups provided great entertainment and did ogle at the group of 356’s parading through downtown Winthrop. Lots of noise, but fun to watch. Undaunted, however, many in our group wandered around town looking for the correct answers to the walking rally. A chance to hone up on your observation skills and have a little fun.

The evening cocktail hour back at the Inn put everyone in the mood for lively conversation and a little heckling about the correct answers to the walking rally. First prize for most correct answers on the 21-question mind-teaser went to Bob and Jo Baker with second prize going to Eric and Kim Lee. The carved bear consolation prize for the most creative answers was awarded to Marianne Hatfield; luckily, there was no penalty for collusion, as her score sheet strongly resembled that of another participant! We didn’t decide if the prized bear indicated she was smarter than the average bear or not!!

After a relaxing evening on the patio of the Inn and a little swimming, Sunday morning found a few of the group winding their way up the great 356 road to Sun Mountain Lodge. While reservations were set for 9:30, a certain incident with a Togo Brown cabriolet delayed the group for a good hour and half. Thanks to the great assistance of Paul Hatfield in getting his hands dirty, John Davis in searching for three 12MM bolts at the hardware store (that did not exist!), and, finally, Dennis Gerlitz in finding the near-correct Grade 8 bolts right at the Maintenance Dept. at Sun Mountain lodge, we were on our way by 11:00. Thanks to everyone for their moral support and assistance. Is that why we travel in groups? The gracious folks at Sun Mountain still served us all breakfast even though they were starting the lunch preparation in the kitchen. The view from the Lodge is really something to behold!

Unfortunately, the weather did not hold for Sunday afternoon for the return trip and Rainey Pass truly lived up to its name. Off and on showers forced the wipers on (those that had them!) but didn’t dampen the spirits resulting from a very enjoyable tour. A few gathered at Cascadian Farms out of Rockport for a welcome ice cream cone to enjoy between the raindrops.