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Today we woke to rain again but looked at forecast and it was supposed to stop around 11 so some of us decided to have extra coffee or tea and wait it out . It was a good decision. Around 10:30 we left and it had stopped raining and it was a nice ride under the Astoria bridge and around the Pennisula of Astoria heading across Young Bay toward Seaside. The villages have either very small cottages or very lavish homes. We stopped in Cannon Beach see the Sea stacks and had lunch. Then we stayed along the coast highway going up and down the hills to the next seaports. There were some good hills but it was quite rewarding at the top. We reached our camp around 5ish and had a nicely prepared salmon and pasta dinner followed by s’mores which we made ourselves. Our campsite is near the ocean and we can hear the surf which is very soothing although it is quite chilly. I did receive my other sleeping bag in the mail from Paul so I will see if this one works! 

it was a great day!

 

Today we knew it was going to rain in the morning so for 85 cents we got on the Pacific Transit bus and rode the bus for about 20 miles. It was really a beautiful ride and the route took us by an Oyster Company with 20 foot high piles of Oyster shells. The area is very green and cows grazed on the fertile pastures. The tide was out and the rivers and streams only flowed minimally. There were many sloughs that we passed by. Unfortunately it started to rain again but we had all our gear in our bags as we were prepared for it. Luckily the rain didn’t last long and we made it to lunch dry. Because of the weather a bunch of us took the van across the Astoria bridge and to our home for the night The Norrad Hostel. It will be nice to be  warm and dry for the second night in a row. 

it was a great day!

Today we knew it was going to rain so Mark and I pulled out early. I found Mr Jingles along the way. It was going to rain so I figured he needed shelter. We made it about 30 miles when it started to sprinkle and by the time we made it to Howuim it was pouring and chilly. We were trying to figure out directions at a bus stop shelter and low and behold a bus came by and stopped. We asked where he was going and he said Aberdeen and that was not our destination but it was closer, so we said great and put our bikes on the bus bike rack in front of the bus and got on. He drove us to the far end of Aberdeen and dropped us off at Walmart. Knowing it was going to keep raining we looked up hotel rooms in Raymond. We chose Golden  Lion and Mark asked if there was s way to get to the hotel which was still 25 miles away and the owner Bob said he was coming to Walmart and he would pick us up!! Not only did he pick us up but on the way he picked up Ann who was going to be my roommate.  So today I am very grateful !

it was a great day!

Today we got up early on a cold morning and started biking. I have been trying to figure out how to keep warm at night. I wear a lot of stuff but am still chilly! Maybe it is my Florida blood. Anyway, Paul is sending me my sleeping bag I used for coast to coast trip and I will get it tomorrow.

needless to say it was a beautiful ride through a evergreen forest of very tall trees. In about 20 miles we came to Ruby Beach. It is a pretty Beach with Lots of large driftwood along it. Every year the rains will tumble trees and they float down the rivers and some make it all the way to the ocean. It is quite the site to see all the very large trees along the shore. After exploring the beach and taking pictures we headed down the road which went along the beach. We saw a lot of cars parked along the way so we. Stopped and asked them what was going on. Well, there were Grey whales all along the shore. The whales were feeding and you could see their fins surfacing in the water. Incredible sighting! I guess the whales have been hanging out there a couple of months. We then headed down the road to Kalaloch Lodge for lunch. Almost the whole group was there. From there we left the shore  and headed inland to Quinault Lake for the night .

It was a great day!

 

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  Today we woke up quite chilly as it was in the high 30’s and we were close to the river. We left camp and went 12 miles mostly downhill to route 101- I hit 30 mph which is Big for me!

• we had a downhill ride most of the day . We stopped at Hungry Bear Restaurant and had huge delicious pancakes which were so awesome.
• we left and headed to Rialto Besch. Mark and u hit a ride from a nice ranger to almost the beach- we got another ride from 2 friendly people.
• the beach was beautiful with lots of LarRGE  whole tree driftwood. It is a beautiful beach.
• We then headed to Forks for the night

We were lucky to hike at beautiful hurricane Ridge on Olympic Pennisula and then head to Sol duc resort where some went in the warm springs. We camped by the river which was beautiful but it got very cold at night! I had to put next day’s clothes in pillow case along with my phone and flashlight and iPad . The pillow became very lumpy. We had no service yesterday and won’t have any tomorrow so I will try to post when I can

it was a great day!

   Totem pole in SequimSequim Bay Sequim Bay
 Daves birthday today- Pauls birthday tomorrow- either way we get cake!!
 

   Fat Smittys Big Mac Today we left Port Townsend as a group as a lot of us didn't have the Washington maps and KC lives in Seattle and knows this area so he lead us on the ride today. We rode on the Discovery  trail today which weaved in and out of the woods and across the highway. At times we road on the main roads with bike lane. We went up some good hills and equally down  some. We had lunch at Fat Smittys and the burgers were McDonalds version of a Bic Mac times 5 !
For second lunch we had the sandwiches we made in the morning we ventured down to Sequim Bay where we saw Sequim Lighthouse across the serene Bay. We watched as a flick of birds at least 100 or more all of a sudden flew into the air. It was amazing to watch. It was like someone said ready, set, go.. fly...
We made it back to camp in time for appetizers and tacos for dinner.
after our nightly meeting I happen to catch the sunset which was so beautiful.
it was a great day!

Today we had to prepare breakfast which consists of starting water for coffee, tea or hot chocolate and putting out breakfast items as well as items for people to make their pack lunch. Therefore we started out biking around 8:30. We had 60 miles to go but kind of got off route and ended up doing 70. Oh well it was a beautiful day and we biked by  stunning beaches, foggy inlets, over bridges, and took the ferry over to Port Townsend. We biked with Megan who is sweep and a pastry chef so we stopped at the Bread Farm and had delicious cookies and pastries in the morning. We followed the route but ended up accidentally taking alternative 20 instead of regular 20- oops, but we ended up in Anacortes and stopped for cold water to have With our cookies. We cut over the big hill to Deception Pass and had lunch by  nice lake where the fog came into. We then crossed over both Deception pass bridges by foot as you are not supposed to ride over them. Even though it was foggy at times there were points that we could see clearly. The bridges are very high up and the current below is very fast. We headed out to Whidbey Island which is  connected  by the bridges. We followed the shore which was really up and down but the views were so beautiful! We even saw a seal swimming by the shore. We made it to the 4:15 ferry by 5 minutes and were just about the last ones on. After the smooth ride to Port Townsend we headed up ( of course ) to our Fort campground. At the foft is  the Whites Lighthouse which is 1/8 mile away from area. I took some pics of Lighthouse with Whistler Mt behind it and then headed back to campground which is a field. It was Quite windy and kind of difficult to set up tents but others helped out and we got them up and staked.

everyone is really friendly in the group.

it was a great day!

 

 

Bridge over Deception pass