Mini Day 3 Sequim to Victoria BC

Friday September 5, 2014

Two of Vickie's Whidbey Island friends joined us today to ride to Sequim. They prefer not having their photos published, so they will remain mystery people here on the blog. It was fun to meet them and nice to have them join us for this leg of the trip.

Our first challenge this morning was getting ready to leave the motel. Vickie was sure she had her second glove and simply could not find it. She finally resorted to rummaging through her pannier that she had searched earlier when I spotted it. Velcroed to the her butt!! A few minutes later I could not find my second glove until it was pointed out that it was on my hand! Was it just too early for us or had those hills yesterday taken a toll?

Friends arrived and we were then in the saddle for the beginning of the day's adventure. A short distance from our motel was a trailhead for the ODT which would take us all the way to Port Angeles and the ferry to Victoria.

Trailhead at Railroad Bridge Park

The old RR bridge we would cross

 

We are heading for PA

On that bridge

This trail is fully paved now. Several years ago, the portion that was near to PA was unpaved for several miles. The improvements make for a nice ride even though, once again, we had enough hills so that each of us at one time or another, had to walk a couple of them.

Apparently in the wrong place at the wrong time

We crossed our second bridge of the day

We passed by what seems to be a bicycle graveyard, or bent bike memorial:

Has seen better days

One wheelie too many

 

Couldn't make the climb

After riding through the forest for most of the trail, we popped out at the waterside as we approached PA.

Looking back at the trail and the beach

Vickie being correct this time, in just about 20 miles we arrived in Port Angeles. We had lunch and snacks with the friends before they put thier bikes on the bus back to Sequim. Having a few hours (like 4) before catching the ferry, we wandered around town a bit on bikes and on foot, and I stopped at the bike shop to top off my tires with air (better to use their floor pump than my small on the bike pump). Good thing too as I was 15-20 pounds low! Then we found our afternoon coffee/tea shop for... you know, coffee and tea.

 

We arrive -- and will catch the ferry here

Our lunch and rest spot

 

There is a bit more trail in town, but construction limits it for now

 

 

Our third and last bridge of the day

We took the in-town trail as far as it went and crossed the bridge

The active lumber yard was somehow fascinating to watch

 

This arm picks up and lays down these huge logs like playing pick-up-sticks

 

Some art work in the middle of town

We finally boarded the ferry for the 90 minute crossing to Victoria.

The misty mountains of Port Angeles and the Olympic Peninsula

 

Catching rays

 

We thought our ferry was a big ship until we saw this cruise ship in Victoria Harbor

We disembarked at near 7:00 p.m. and got quickly through customs to now bke to our hotel. Map in hand, Vickie led us in the right direction where we found a couple of cyclists who helped direct us to the Galloping Goose Trail that would take us there. It was tricky to get across the traffic bridge, around the construction and on to the trail, so we were grateful for the halp. Once on the elusive trail we asked directions one more time to find the street our hotel is on -- another tricky maneuver. Ahhh, we made it, and before dark.

Another full, and wonderful day.

 

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Fall Mini day 2 - Pt. Townsend to Sequim

Thursday, September 4, 2014

The town closes up tight and quiet by about 7:30 p.m. I think. Our room is on the corner diectly on the main street (Water Street) and there was no sound at all once we retired to it. It somewhat reminded me of staying at my Grandmother's in Baltimore when I was a child. She had a grocery store on the corner, and owned the building that held her home -- two stories with, what I recall as, tons of bedrooms upstairs. Her room was on the corner of the building with similar surrounding windows that we have in our current room. I would sleep in her room when my mom and dad stayed there at times. All those rooms were occupied by other family members as I recall. The night got very quiet and still and the street lights shone down on the black streets. Then in the early morning the street cars would begin rumbling by (there were street car tracks right below the window). Similarly, this morning, very early, the street sweeper truck rumbled down our street. Being an early riser, I was already awake and wide eyed. I don't know how my roommates faired! (I learned that they heard the truck also.)

I enjoyed that little visit with my past.

 

We say farewell to our delightful hotel

I don't know how this always happens, but whenever I repack the next day it seems I have more to pack. I mean, I bought only small thin bags of tea! Anyway, I was able to cram it all back into my panniers and we got on our way. First stop would be the grocery store for vittles for the day.

No one was willing to carry the watermelon so we had pass that up

We left the store, crossed the road, and wound our way through a small marina and entered the trail that would take us 7.5 miles out of town. Unpaved but very hard packed and easy riding.

I wondered what that structure emitting all that smoke was

 

Found out it is a working paper mill that was very important to the economy of the area in the 1800 somethngs

 

Trail becomes forested and adds beauty to the morning

 

Tunnel is not historic as the sign says built in 2002

Looking at the map last evening, Vickie estimated the ride to be about 40 miles. Ok then, that does not seem at all bad because there do not seem to be many hills. When, at mile 10 I announced we had only about 30 miles to go, Vickie said "or more". Huh?

My friends bring me to the nicest places for lunch

At lunch we had done 21 miles and I said we had gone about half way (since 42 is "or more" than 40). Vickie said "or less". Huh?

I bike for ice cream and the cones Gerry and I had were delicious

We had a nice long ice cream break where we met a young couple of about 23 and 24 years old. They were on their way to Mexico and thought they would be there in about six weeks. It takes youth. They had just spent a few days in the San Juan Islands lulling around and would now beging the trip for real. Nice couple and I am sure they will make it to Mexico.

Our ice cream break came at about mile 28 and was just about the end of what I thought to be "fine" cycling. We soon climbed a long gradual hill for almost 2 miles. This was the biggest hill we would have for the day, and we all did just fine (meaning I did fine, becuase the other two would do just fine all the way). We had a nice loonngg down hill on the other side. The folly of it all -- grind and grind up a gruelling two mile hill to then come freewheeling down on the other side for almost 2 miles.

From here on (around mile 33) the riding was up hills all the way. No big hills but we seemed to never stop climbing something.

Stopped in the middle of climbing for a rest, and had plenty of time to take a photo of this mail box as an excuse for the stop.

Around mile 37 I became "cranky" with all this climbing, and seeing Vickie so very far ahead that at times I could not even see her. She is much stronger at climbing than I am and gets way out there on her own ride, which is fine, but it is nice that Gerry stays back with me. I feel sure Gerry could have kept fairly close to Vickie. It was nice to have the company of Gerry who is always nearby me on our tours.

Vickie zoomed by the trail head to ODT (Olympic Discovery Trail) that Gerry and I saw. We took the trail and met up with Vickie as the road she took joined the trail in less than a mile.

We begin the trail

 

Took this photo to remember the tribe that has the Casino across the road. This is the start of the ODT

At this point we had now gone 40 miles. The 40 miles I expected to be done with the day's riding. But oh no, more to go.

We entered Sequim and these bike racks charmed me

 

48.5 miles for the day -- what our friend Kim would call a "bait and switch". When you add almost 9 miles to a 40 mile expectation, and then have lots of climbing for the final 15, it can cause crankiness!! Vickie felt responsible for some reason and I feel bad about that. I told her it was something I had to deal with and get through. I did get through it, as I usually do, and now (the following morning) I look back on the day as being a good day where I met a challenge that did not defeat me even though it tried. I may not be a fast rider, but I do have endurance. ;'-) During the climbing I did not feel tired, just not wanting all that non stop hill climbing.

Three blocks before our hotel we stopped at a diner to have dinner. We all felt that once in our room we may not want to go out to eat! So -- at least everyone had had it -- I was the only one who got cranky.

So here we are in Sequim.

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Terrific Trio Fall 2014 Mini Tour

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

The first leg of the trip is to get to Port Townsend. Similar to a centepede, this leg has many other legs.

Leg 1a -- I need to bike from home to the ferry that will take me to Whidbey Island:

All packed up and ready for an adventure

The 9:00 ferry was just departing. I will be aboard the 9:30 as planned.

A beautiful day is developing as we cross over to the island

In a few short 15 minutes we are at the ferry dock

 

Ready to disembark in a moment

Leg 1b -- The plan is for Vickie to fetch me and my gear to plant one car at the starting point and drive to the ending point and plant a second car.

Vickie is there on time and starting on her morning latte

 

We add my bike to her rack

We meet Gerry in Anacortes and she has found us a cheap parking for the week.

 

We will end our tour here and reverse our tracks back to the car in Coupeville

 

But first we have to have lunch in Anacortes. It has been a busy morning and now afternoon!

We got to Gere-a-Deli at almost exactly noon to find the line at this popular cafe lined out to the door entry. We did not feel we had that much time to spend, so we went across the street for lunch -- we were the only ones there.

Leg 1c -- Drive back to Vickie's friend Joanne's to drop this car and pick up bikes that we stashed there.

Joanne made it convenient for us to set up our shuttle

Leg 1d -- Get to the ferry from Keystone to Port Townsend. My second ferry ride for the trip, thier first.

I cannot figure who would even try to ride a bike up this very steep ramp. But I suppose fearing litigation makes for such warnings. You never know who will try a stunt!

The day continued to get more beautiful and perfect for any activity -- driving, biking, walking or sitting and watching.

The annual wooden boat show is happening this weekend and Tall ships are arriving for it.

 

Tall Ship sails by downtown Port Townsend.

Leg 1e -- Get to our hotel between 3:00 and 6:00 before they close up. This is an old hotel and the "front desk" is actually the counter of the store below. The store clerk is also the front desk person for check in, and the store closes at 6:00.

The Water Street Hotel. Lovely old place where the bathroom is "down the hall". But we do have a sink in our wonderful corner room.

 

These are the step we had to carry our bikes UP to our room!!

We unloaded and carried our bags and gear up first. I got my bike as far as the first step and seemed kind of stuck. That is a loooonnnggg way up! A burly fellow was walking by and asked if I needed some help. That's OK, I said, I am waiting for one of my cycling buddies for help (those cycling buddies didn't really know that). Can I just do a quick trip up? he asked. Well sure then, I thankfully said. He handed me his cup of yogurt to hold (which made me feel like I was helping) and lifted up my (rather heavy) bike and brought it, seemingly effortlessly, to the landing where our room is. I have had several hightlights already on this trip, but for today -- this one is at the top. Thank you road angel.

Now if I can only find him tomorrow morning for the trip DOWN!

This will be the trip down in the morning. Vickie says I can just through the bike down.

All checked in and bikes securely in our rooms, we wandered around town for a bit. Well, of course I needed to do some sorting first!

Bike "sculpture" in town

Walking around the harbor made me a bit melancholy. Susan's Dad would bring us -- me, Susan and Susan's mom, as well as other family members at times -- by boat over here for dinner at the Chinese Restaurant. One year our friend Kim, from Vermont was visiting us and he brought us all here by boat. It was one of his favorite things to do -- and I thought about him and about Susan's mom a lot today.

At the Harbor. Can't see Gerry's face too well, but we had to put this in as our second of a series (we have one from another trip somewhere)

I say arrgh as I head the boat out to plunder.

One main stop for me in town was the tea shop we had visited when we were here in December. I wanted to get more of it for home. It adds a little to the gear I am carrying but oh well.

Pippa's tea house. I doubt I can miss a tea house on any adventure. If there is one, I need to go there!

Dinner and then home for bed. We are bushed!! And none of us have done even 10 miles of biking today. But you can see how full our day has been!! We did a great job of the logistics for this trip -- car shuttles, hotel rooms lined up, and maps ready to follow. We're good!

We will actually be riding bikes tomorrow.

 

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