In 2001, the Courage Classic was canceled due to forest fires in and around the Leavenworth and Wenatchee area... [sigh] Here is what some news agencies had to say about the extraordinary fire season we had that year:

No, we don't have any pictures of the (non)ride. We were literally turned around at the start line. The progression of emotions we experienced was quite interesting in hindsight. At first, we both could not believe it. Then, as I realized this was not going to happen and tried to impress this on Cameron, he got very sad. I recall him telling me through tears and clenched teeth that, "Next year, we'll be back for sure." Being the adult, I put on the happy face and assured him that indeed we would be back next year; but as the day wore on, it was I that got really sad as Cameron started to cheer up. I suppose I began to realize just how much this event (especially riding it with Cameron) means to me.

For what it's worth, here are some (meager) pictures of a different ride we did that summer on our tandem up & back on the John Wayne Pioneer Trail (also know as the 'Ironhorse Railway grade') from Rattlesnake Lake above North Bend to the Hyak ski area through the tunnel at Snoqualmie Summit: