Inching Closer, but Can't See Mexico Yet
GPS tracker--Click HERE for Port Townsend to Hoodsport, WA
Day one is in the books and you all will be happy to know that we are both still alive and talking to each other. It was definitely a bit of a challenging day given that it wasn't supposed to really be that many miles and mainly downwind. But, as you can imagine, nothing ever goes as intended...
We left for the Sidney ferry around 10:30 and had fun with the whole ferry experience. It was a three hour ride over to Anacortes which actually took longer because they couldn't find an owner of one of the cars that needed to be moved so we didn't get to start riding until close to 3:30. We got off the ferry and were greeted in the US by none other than a bunch of hills to climb. Some were pretty steep! We really got a workout for the first 8.5 miles but at least it was really pretty since we were surrounded by lush forest. Then the forest thinned out and we were met with the most ridiculous headwind that stayed with us the entire ride. So, instead of what was supposed to be a fast easy ride turned out to be pretty tough after all. But it is so pretty that it is tough to get too upset by the elements. One of the highlights was crossing the bridges at Deception Point. I included the video link here and it probably doesn't do it justice but it was a pretty cool experience!
Some of you may be a bit confused as well by the live GPS tracker that still shows that we are in Sidney, BC. So what happened was, when we went on the ferry, I left the bike computer running while we went upstairs to hang out. The 3 hour ride drained my battery all the way down and I couldn't find a cord to recharge it. So, we were not able to capture our data for the trip down to Port Townsend. Not that I'm much into data on this trip, but it would have been nice to see the live GPS working for those wanting to follow us. Hopefully today will work better...
Lastly, we got into Port Townsend and checked into the Port Townsend Inn. They hooked us up with a nice discount to offset our trip cost so we appreciated that! Then we went to dinner with Steve, Maggie and Shelby Smith--more friends that we knew from back when we lived on boats in Mexico. After hearing the stories, Katelyn has changed her mind--yesterday she wanted to move to Canada and today she wants to live on a boat! They took us to dinner at a nice spot and got us all carb loaded for tomorrow. I hadn't seen Steve and Maggie since I was 15 years old. It's amazing how so many years can pass without seeing friends and yet it still feels like it was yesterday.
Ok, next leg is Port Townsend to Hoodsport. 60 miles, 3100 feet of climbing. Nasty hill in the middle. All day to do it. Wish us luck! We love mail by the way! Bikingthecoast@gmail.com (Almost as much as donations!). See you in Hoodsport!
 |
| Last minute butterfly catching before taking off |
 |
| This is it: Next stop Mexico! (And maybe some places in between) |
 |
| 5 miles into the ride, catching the first of two ferries |
 |
| The ferry had some puzzles laid out on tables to pass the time. Only problem was that barely half the pieces were still there. This puzzle's edge were completely done... |
 |
| Loved Canada, but there is something about being back in the US that was comforting |
 |
| Katelyn got a kick out of the signs with Washington's head on them. After a few climbs, she stopped getting a kick out of them as much... |
 |
| Looking out over the bridge at Deception Point. I believe her words were, "we have to ride over that??" |
 |
| Katelyn is convinced that this is the house from the movie "UP." |
 |
| This is probably my favorite picture from the trip because it captured the real sense of what it is like at times. Here we are waiting for the second ferry in the only place we could sit indoors. |
 |
| More BOAT PEOPLE! I have been friends with the Smiths now for over 30 years. Some of the best people on the planet |
You are such amazing people. You make the world a better place.
ReplyDelete