Day Five - Montesano WA to Bay Center WA - 74km

'Take pleasure in life's simple things'

Clean and refreshed we made the final push to the Washington Coast.  As expected the interior of Washington is forgettable; numerous small logging towns, vast expanses of spruce trees, and numerous hills.  Good training for the California coast in a few weeks!

We had our first mechanical (flat tire) of many we are sure and came through it relative unscathed. Removing numerous bike parts to get to it did ensure a very un-Tour de France like quick change.

We crossed the head of the massive Willapa Bay at Raymond, pedaling through ‘The Oyster Capital of the World’ in South Bend and then a rolling 25k to our campground – yes we are trying a campground again! – Along the Bay.  We were sure to sample the local specialty and it did not disappoint in both its size and its taste.  

From our tent site it was just a short hike to water and a walk along the shore of the bay.  You could hear the mighty waves of the Pacific roaring in the distance and we were humble by the majesty of the scene.

Day Four - Potlatch State Park to Montesano WA - 65km

 “Remember to enjoy the journey”

It started with one drop of rain.  At 1:02 am.  The problem was the drop and soon to be many more drops we on the INSIDE of the tent.  As the rain beat heavier on the tent the water began to run in earnest looking for a dry spot.  As Dee and I slowly rose from our deep sleep it was apparent that we were experiencing a total fly failure. This was not good news.  Dee began to mop the initial puddles while I went out to tighten the tent fly – No luck – and we began to weigh options at 1:30 in the morning.  As the rain had no intention of letting up and with several puddles threatening to soak the remaining dry clothes we beat a hasty retreat to the shower room and a sleepless night curled up in the sleeping bag.  The fire and Pinot seems eons ago!

At some point in the night exhaustion set  in, as we did manage to sleep till daybreak but hardly a restful one.  Dee began to make some breakfast while I broke camp and attempted to dry things as best I could.  Of course fellow campers were now cutting in on our breakfast and commenting on how heavy the rain was last night. Really?  It was great here in the shower room.  Dry as a bone…

Damp, tired, and cold we set off hopeful to leave the nights activities behind us.  The rain was steady today but at least we were moving and warm.  The miles rolled by and we decided to stop for a snack in the one horse town of McCleary.  We treated to hot cups of tea, the best Blackberry crumble ever, and the reminder about enjoying the journey. 

With rain getting heavier we decided to stop in the town of Montesano for the night which for just 59$ you could get a room with a view and an opportunity to wash some clothes and dry a very wet tent.  We got caught up on the journal and a deep sleep.

Day Three - Mt Walker to Potlach State Park - 60km

Yesterday’s enthusiasm was met with today’s reality.  Our 90km ride / 2 hour hike and first tent sleep in 7 years left us a little bleary eyed and stiff.  Very stiff.

Sunshine and wind was the theme of the day and the descent of Mt. Walker to the Hood Canal was stunning.  The headwind we met at the bottom meant for slow plod. 

Mistakenly we started the day sans breakfast – after all how long can 30 miles take to ride?  Answer two and half slow hours with a headwind that tested our legs and head alike.  The route however was beautiful as it swept by numerous state parks (Dosewallips looked to be the best) and private recreation area.  Dee almost stopped to enquire when she saw a waterfront plot for 79,900.  Not sure where she is going for the nightlife however as it rural living.  The miles steadily rolled along until we arrived at the town of Hoodsport. 

We made a detour to the visitor centre where two Betty White impersonators laid out the lunch options – Hamburger stand or “‘The Mexican ... we’ve heard good reports”.  Thankfully there was a grocery store (an IGA for you Canadian to relate to) which we’re told ‘has excellent sales on this week; I think hamburger is 99c a pound.”  Clearly they wanted to fatten us up a little…

The grocery store was stocked with all that we needed – and we needed a lot to make up for missed time this morning and we continued on to Potlach State Park at the head of the Hood Canal where we wolfed down some cereal, fruit and got our wits about us.  A shower awaited the warmth of which determined by the number of quarters you had (one for me, two for Dee). 

Fed and cleaned we wondered down to the waterfront and spent the afternoon enjoying the sun on our face and waves lap against the rocks. 

Garth’s attempt to have dinner fireside was meet with initial resistance from some damp firewood.  Thankfully a Good Samaritan, or a camping neighbor tired of being smoked out offered up some dry wood and we enjoyed a crackling finish to the day with vegetable sandwiches and minestrone soup.  The feast washed down with a cheeky Oregon Pinot. All in all a good second day.

  

Day Two - Here we go! - Victoria BC - Mt Walker Washington - 92km

Sunset on Mt Walker, WA

Finally we got underway today on our great cycling adventure.  We cycled into Victoria's pretty downtown harbour, past the historic Empress hotel as the rain gently began to fall near our arrival at the ferry terminal.  We were happy to be able to take the passanger ferry to Port Angeles which is only about an hour ride but world’s apart.

Dee outside the Empress Hotel, Victoria, BC

We disembarked to rain and gray skies covering the stunning Olympic Mountain range.  Our route would find us in their shadows for much of the day and we were happy to find the rain stopped and blue sky appeared shortly into the ride. 

This part of the US 101 highway could best be described as ‘forgettable’ for the first 30 miles.  A busy four lane highway with endless traffic.  No without an opportunity to explore.  Thankfully we were able to get some respite at one popular West Coast entities -   the drive thru espresso bar.  Small, cottage like establishments catering to peoples’ caffeine fix and we decided we would give it a try, preferring to actually stop in and enjoy one for a few minutes.  In addition to a welcome rest it seemed to start a break in the weather and some sun in our face.

The 'Mocha' Drive Espresso Bar, Gardiner, WA

In place of the rain was sunshine and a nasty headwind we battled for the next 30k.  We alternated pulls at the front but for the first time I was a beneficiary of Dee’s draft as her panniers create quite a cut in the wind.  I don’t think she found the Bob trailer as generous as draft.

We arrived in Quilcene @ 3pm and after a quick search – of one restaurant -  decided on lunch.  A quick stop at the grocery store to buy dinner (2 bananas, take out salad, and can of soup) we headed up the day’s major climb of Mt. Walker arriving at the Falls View summit campground around 4:30.

We quickly made camp then bombed up the Mt Walker viewpoint hike – 2 miles and a 2000ft elevation gain.  Dee blazed trail and we found ourselves at the summit in 45’ with a beautiful view of the sunset and a look back at the days travels.  The second summit view offered spectacular (thud!) views of Seattle and 14,400ft Mount Rainier.  After lingering for some pictures we zipped back down the hill with darkness and a cougar watch impending. 

Back to camp where dinner quickly but enjoyably consumed – thanks to Kimmy for the bearclaw for dessert – dishes washed, teeth brushed and into the tent!  Did I mention no showers, for that matter no water at all at this campground.  Minimal living at its best.

Sidebar- September 22 + 23

Wednesday September 22

After a morning bike ride to meet with our tenants in Saanich, we took to the streets to explore Victoria.  The first day of fall was a gorgeous one that reminds the rest of Canada why they might want to live on the West Coast; 25C, a fresh ocean breeze, and sunshine.

In keeping with the cycling theme we met a friend and physio colleague's of Dee for an early evening bike ride around Victoria's southern communities.  Barb Bialokoz is a fellow Dal grad as well as a cat 1 cyclist  who runs a vibrant physio practice from her house and gave Dee the lowdown on the physio scene in Victoria - along with the oppressive zoning restrictions -.  I rode with her partner Dave McLeod a fellow star cyclist in his own right.  The ride took us well into the dark followed by an enjoyable beer and some forgettable wine along with a impassioned discussion on the merits of the Tarn 3 tent from Mountain Equipment Coop (MEC).

Thursday, September 23 - More staging

We were pleased to hear that Kim, Ma, and Baby T were coming over to the island for a final visit.  They came bearing the legendary Red Barn Sandwichs which are only for those with a hearty appetite.  The way Tahlia has been mowing down the adult food I'm surprised she didn't get one for herself!

We spent a lovely evening with friends Scott and Lorrie (Mc)Cramb in Victoria.  They have moved to Victoria from Parksville and are enjoying the transition so far.  We were entertained by Tahlia and their two boys, Donovan and Quin while the adult had a few laughs themselves.

September 21 -Day One - Vancouver - Victoria 38km

Tough first day!  Rolled down the hill from our friend Lewis and Heather in Tssawassen and the long 6k to the ferry terminal.  After carefully negiotiating the bike and BOB trailer through the maze of tractor - trailers on deck one we grabbed a warm beverage for the 90 minute crossing through the beautiful Gulf Islands to Victoria.

A light rain, along with a riding escort by the name of Sue Edney greeted us on the other side.  Sue and husband Dave Morrison are dear friends from Bermuda who have made Victoria their second home.  We are staying with them this week while we visit our house, meet some perspective employees - Jobs? Yikes! - and get a feel for Canadian island living.

Today ride took us near our home in Saanich, the spectacular Butchart Gardens - which we've never yet visited - and to Dave and Sue's house at the top of Willis Point.  A hot tub awaited our exhausted legs...

The initial run on the bikes was positive.  Neither of us has been blessed with a lot of acceleration and the extra cargo will not help in that department at all. A day in Victoria awaited us complete with an exhausting swim at the Commonwealth Training Centre.  All that was left to do was enjoy the Sunset from Dave and Sue's deck.  Bike travel is tough!

Baby T Birthday Bash(es) Sept 18+19th

A weekend of celebrations for little Taliah's first birthday.  Plenty of food and drink as well as outstanding cake back to back.

Final preparations for the bike trip.  Check and re-check lists.  When the employees at Mountain Equipment Co-op (Outdoor Store) began to greet me by name it was a sign I was spending far too much time there.  Much time spent negioitation over the essentials.  Do we really need 3 pairs of socks?  Can I get by with just one pair gloves and two shirts?  Not argument over underwear however.  You know what your mother always said...

Our first day will be a light one.  Kim transporting us to the ferry terminal so we can make our way over to Victoria.  A couple of days to visit friends and test out the machines.  We aim to leave the island on Thursday via Port Angeles, Washington and let the good times and the great sunsets come...