This Trip Has Its Ups and Downs...

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Cumulative Miles: 105
Total Elevation Gain: 6,000 ft

This day started well.  Why?  Because we woke up late--no alarm clocks--and got together at a leisurely pace.  We actually didn't roll out of Port Townsend until 10:00 or so.  I really like that part of this trip so far; there is really not a sense of urgency.   We got on our bikes and had surprisingly fresh legs which was good because it seems that every ride begins with a hill to climb.

So today was great on so many levels.  First, we were able to find some roads that were not only scenic but also lacking traffic.  We spent much more time riding side by side today than we were able to before.  Also, most of the trafficked roads had extremely wide shoulders and that helped ease the stress of riding with big trucks.  Third, today was such a beautiful route with the road passing through forests, marshlands, mountains and lakes. Here's a link to one of our scenery stops As long as it isn't raining, it is a fantastic place to check out.  

In terms of the ride, even though we rode 60 miles, we only pedaled 30 of them.  Today the road never seemed flat.  Either we were pedaling uphill or we were coasting downhill.  Katelyn always wanted to get as much speed as possible and try and make it up some of the uphill stretches without pedaling and see if she could go multiple hills coasting.  We made it through a couple long stretches that way.  She loves the downhill stretches and I am always telling her to control her speed because she wants to go faster and faster.  Today she hit 34 mph which, for a bike with bags on it, was faster than I want her to go.

Pulling into Lilliwaup/Hoodsport, we checked into the Creekside Inn (a 4 room motel) and asked the owner about places to eat.  He says, "well, there's a little spot 4 miles back the direction you just came from or else a little place 3 miles up the road.  You guys didn't bring food with you I take it?"  When I said we hadn't, he hands me his keys and says, "here, take my car into town for dinner."   Just nice people!  So we went into the "main town" of Hoodsport and found a burger place.  As we ordered, there was a family and the dad was wearing a BYU shirt (where I went to school) so we had a nice dinner and Katelyn got to hang out with some kids--her favorite!

Tomorrow: on to Montesano, WA.  56 miles,  much less climbing than today but probably more of a headwind.  All day to get there.  

We found something that moved slower than our bikes!

My FAVORITE sign I have seen on this trip so far!

Stopping to eat a snack--9 miles to lunch in Quilcene!

One of the few selfies on the trip.  Beautiful scenery on this leg!

Taking advantage of her camoflauge!

Sorry Washington, we picked some of your daisies--such a beautiful "weed" that was growing everywhere. 

Throwing daisies to the wind!

Found a bunch of cat tails growing along the road.  Couldn't resist playing a bit! 

Getting to Hoodsport deserves a little dessert!