Friday 5/13/16 To the Pacific coast

Again having camped I was up early and headed down the road. I should remember to take a picture of my little tent. Very cozy and comfortable with a blow-up mattress and my ONE LUXURY ITEM that I allowed myself.......a feather pillow.

Today for the first time I was inland and away from a shoreline.

The land was flat here south of the Olympics and there was a nice tailwind.

I could do some business here with many lumber mills.

I passed through 2 Native American reservations and saw some of the Natives gathered at times when I would stop for water or food. They seemed sad, lonely and bored, not very talkative. I saw this historic sign near Aberdean WA and think I could understand. 

A treaty signed by the Governor and ratified by the US Senate in 1859. I wonder what promises the Governor and Senators made to the Natives that were never kept. Oh well the Natives now have casinos popping up everywhere in WA and the Natives seem well fed but very unhappy. It makes one think about what it is that makes a person happy.

The other striking thing I noticed were the cut down trees.

There were vast stretches of land with all of the trees gone. A few huge stumps spaced quite far apart led me to imagine the forest not so long ago when the Natives were in charge. Fewer trees but huge ones each reaching higher to gain the sunlight. 

Again Except for a few old mill towns with no place decent looking places to stay accommodations looked sparce so I rode on to the ocean and another State Park. This on Twin Harbors was right on the Pacific beach.

Rain was predicted for morning so I pitched my little tent in anticipation.

Thursday 5/12/16 Down the Olympic peninsula to Hoodsport

First of all in response to several questions about my health and stomach issue. I didn't think that anyone would actually be reading. But for those who asked, I ate a huge dinner of fish and chips on Tuesday and a big bowl of chili con carne on the ferry from Victoria, then rode hard and ignored it. And the problem cured itself. Amazing how the body will fix itself under duress. I have to watch what I write, now that I find that people are actually reading and not just looking at the pictures.

Well Thursday began early since I camped. Heading south on the East side of he Olympic peninsula it was relatively flat. The day was sunny and warm.

I watched a beautiful sunrise......

Passed through some bautiful farmland with the towering Olympic range behind in the distance.

There were many small rivers I crossed flowing down from the mountains. It was too cold for a swim, though I was tempted.

There were many similarities to Maine with low tidal flats. I was told that the tide was about10 feet. And lots of great habitat for shellfish ......like Oysters. 

My stomach was fine so I had some raw for lunch.

The only problem for the day was that the road was narrow with quite a few logging trucks which didn't scare me.....those guys are professionals ......but also lots of RV's and pick-ups with huge campers. Those were the ametures........danger.

Bridges were narrow with NO shoulder, but fortunately were not long and traffic was light.

It was a beautiful day and a great ride. There were few to no hotels so I made it early into a State of WA park for a hiker/biker camp site and hot shower. No restaurants were around so I made due and grilled some fresh scallops, a steak and a baked potatoe on an open fire. I was very impressed with myself for remembering some long thought lost Boy Scout skills.

I shared dinner with an amazing young Swiss man who had ridden his bicycle from Tierra del Fuego in Argentina. I learned a lot from him about gear and survival and felt very humble by comparison. I am a neophyte and not even close to his league. He left me with a great book Bicycling the Pacific Coast that he had carried from Mexico and since he was almost to Canada asked that I bring it back to Mexico and give it to a rider headed north. He signed it with his name and dates of travel.

The view from my campsite at sunset looking north along the Hood Canal, actually a natural long narrow bay in the Puget Sound.

Wednesday 5/11/16 Ferries across the San Juan Islands

I woke early and broke camp to ride the 12 or so miles north to Anacortes where there was an 8:30 ferry to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. I had a bit more energy after yesterdays nap and a good nights sleep. 

The views were terrific with the snow capped peaks in the distance.

I caught the ferry and the ride was picturesque to say the least.

We passed through narrow channels and spectacular views. Then into Friday Harbor, which was quiet  remote and definitely unique. My friend Bob from Stockbridge who told me not to miss this spot was right and for this I thank him. Bob if you read this, all I can say is, why did you ever leave? What a fabulous little town.... Quiet ..... and in need of a drummer.

I wanted to spend the night, but it would take another whole day and with having lost 2 days with Helen's late arrival I had to take the last ferry out to Canada.

I made the international crossing to the Vancouver peninsula then rode south to Victoria BC. 

There was a great bike path that took me right into Victoria. 

Beautiful country .......

A first class bike path.

Very friendly people. With some light industry, maybe I could find some work here.

I wanted to stay a few days here because my friend Steve raved about the city and it is everything he said. Great Chinees food, friendly, a sence of history and PALM TREES. 

Yes Sarah we should move here to Canada if Trump gets elected. PALM TREES in Canada.

Great street life and a picturesque harbor.

But I needed to move on to make up for the 2 lost days if I was going to meet the Climate ride and daughter Hannah in Eurika on the 20th. So I boarded the Black Ball Ferry that would take me back to the USA and Port Angeles.

I was headed across the Straight of Juan de Fuca toward the mountains in the distance and Olympic Penensula.

I finished the day to a state Park where there was another Hiker/Biker camp site waiting. 

This one had a field of old farm equipment and I slept in a freshly mowed field and had a hot shower after a long day.

Tuesday 5/10/16 Headed North to the Puget Sound and Oak Harbor

Leaving early I had to make a stop at Verizon to try and resolve some IT issues and to Fed Ex to send a package of unneeded items I couldn't carry home. 

Now a bit late I was finally on my way. I headed out on a fabulous bike path. Heavily travelled with commuters. There was a steady stream of them headed into the city.

I wasn't feeling great, low energy, wooden legs but I thought it was the slac days and the plane ride.

After about 30 miles I made it to Mulketeo and the first of my great rides on the Washington State ferry system.

The ferry as always was a great rest and a chance to talk with fellow cyclists. I met a lady who lived on Whidbey Island where I was headed. As a stroke of luck she told me about a free bus, with a handy bike rack, that travelled the island. Since I was not feeling my best I decided to ride the short way up a hill just after the ferry landing in Clinton. 

But it was just past noon and lunch, I was feeling low on energy and in the comfy bus I dozed off. Suddenly it was nap time and those who know me well know that I BELEIVE IN NAPS. I had set my goal for the day another 40 miles at the State park at Deception Park which would have been a long hard day, probably unattainable with a moderately steady headwind. I napped for an hour and 30 miles.

 .

What a stroke of luck because while napping I figured out that e stomach cramps was the same diverticulitis I had had previously. An infection in the lower digestive tract that I am sure was causing the general lack of strength I was feeling. Thinking about it, I am sure that the cause was the 4 packages of nuts I ate on the flight out. We had been delayed for 2 hours and I missed dinner and with no food on the plane I was hungry and ate the only food available NUTS. Well enough about my bowels but at least I knew what was the problem. 

With the help of the bus/nap I was able to stay on schedule and slept in a 

Beautiful State poke at Deception Pass. 

View at sunset

An interesting story on how it got the name Deception Pass.

I slept well but a little worried about my attack of Diverticulitis.

Seattle and the Trip begins Saturday 5/7/16

After a mad scramble to get everything wrapped up before leaving home for a month I departed. Slightly delayed I arrived in Seattle to a warm 75F bright, clear sunny evening. 

The light rail through the city almost to the doorstep of our Squirrel Island friends Andy and Jillon Dupree. An airline delay caused me to miss the Seattle symphony concert where Jillon where was playing the harpsichord. A big disappointment but I went to bed early needing the rest from the 3 hour time change.

The view on my walk from the U of Washington train stop to the Dupree's. 

Although these posts are about  a week late, I am doing them as separate daily posts since the main purpose of the blog is as a personal journal. Not with the idea or expectation that anyone but I will actually read them. 

Helen arrives Monday 5/9/16

Contacting Fed Exp Ground I learned that Helen would arrive today. I was glad for another down day since I was not feeling great. I was having stomach cramps and low energy since my arrival. So I tried to work through some IT computer problems with my blog, took a long nap and a short ride around the beautiful neighborhood where the Dupree's lived..

The spectacular botanical gardens were in full bloom. 

The Seattle Yatt Club just down the block.

And some more great bike paths, that except for one instance never let me down. 

Another crisp clear day always with distant views of the Cascades and Mt Shasta. (Not in this photo, somehow I didn't get a picture of Shasta)

After another lovely dinner on the deck with Andy and Jillon the best hosts yet. I spent time talking in Andy's work shop in the basement where he builds harpsichords and other incredible woodworking feats. He is a modern day Strativarious. Truly a craftsman who while I was there was building part of huge new organ for Notra Dame University. He was putting gold, guilded layering inlay on parts of the exterior, unbelievable workmanship using thin sheets of real gold. The array of tools, clamps, chisels, saws, planers and every imaginable wood working tool was amazing, all were neatly arranged and organized. I wish I took a picture. 

I went to bed early expecting to leave early to belatedly begin my ride. Although with stomach cramps and low energy.  

A rest day waiting for Helen Sunday 5/8/16

The trip got off to an auspicious start when I awoke to find Helen my bicycle had not yet arrived. Now 6 days afte the promised 3 to 5 day delivery I had a rest day before I even got started. Not to be deterred I thankfully took the day to visit with my great hosts and fortunately find that Andy had a great in town bicycle that with a minor seat adjustment was absolutely perfect. 

So I set off to explore Seattle. And what a great city. 

There was jaz in the parks. 

A lively waterfront farmers market. 

Of course the Needle. 

No not London......but a wheel. 

Great waterfront parks. This one near the University of Washington with the rowers out. 

And a great downtown that was very bicycle friendly. 

Needless to say I had a great day and was very grateful for Helen being late an having the day to explore the city.