Reasons 1457 - 1525

As said in the blog previous, had an early wake up due to the rowing. Feeling good about the ride to come, it will only be around 35 miles plus a ferry ride to Port Townsend. Today’s ride was a nice ride, it almost seemed leisurely. The town of Anacortes was on an island and we had to cross a bridge to get to the other island. The area where the bridge crosses is called Deception’s Pass. Sounds scary and I guess it kind of was. From the bridge to the water was 180 feet and there were no railings. I lied about there being no railings, but I didn’t lie about how high the bridge was. Crossing the bridge was a little tricky seeing as how it was two lanes, one in each direction with no shoulder. The bridge wasn’t too long so we just biked in the middle of the lane and left some frustrated drivers in our wake.

Deception's Pass Bridge

We got to the ferry in good time, but we didn’t know when the next ferry was. Turned out that we had to wait for almost an hour. While waiting a couple from Colorado came and talked to us. It was nice to have someone to chat with on our long wait for the ferry. Turns out the couple are on a road trip that includes going into Canada. Some of the places they visited were Banff and Jasper to Whistler and Vancouver and etc. They are also doing some states as well. Before loading for the ferry, another couple strolling on by with some fancy carbon fiber bikes and cool gadgets. While on the ferry we sat with them at a table and did some more chatting.

We strolled into Port Townsend with some time to spare. We weren’t sure how early we could go and bike to our hosts place for that night. We spent some time at The Food Co-op in town for about an hour or so. Taking turns to make sure no one would try and bike away with our tank sized bikes, personally I don’t know who would. I went first, but forgetting my wallet I just looked around. Nathan went next and came out with some chocolate that he shared with me. It was samples for some new chocolate coming out and Nathan liked it so much he got a bar. I decided to go back and get some things, this time with wallet in hand. Apparently, I was supposed to get Nathan some chocolate, as he did for me. However, I did not. I did go to the chocolate stand and did get some samples. The reason I didn’t get him any chocolate was that he already did get some samples and he has a whole bar waiting to be eaten. Seeing me and expecting chocolate got him excited but that soon disappeared when the realization hit. It was not all in vain though, while browsing in the store I came across some Root Beer. Not just any Root Beer. Blue Sky Root Beer made with all natural ingredients. I have had it once in my life and I vividly remembered that it was the best Root Beer I have ever had.  I only ever had it once, perhaps about eight or nine years ago. I haven’t forgotten about it, and seeing it got me so excited that I had to share it with Nathan. So, I bought him a Blue Sky Root Beer. At least I came out with something, even if it wasn’t delicious chocolate.

It was about time to head over to our hosts for that night. It was a bit of a climb, but we made it. When we got there Lys greeted us and showed us where everything was.  She even showed us around the house and her massive garden outside. Her and her husband Dan are in the middle of renovations on the house and their yard. Lys is a sustenance gardener, meaning she grows all of her own vegetables that she and her husband can live on. I think that is very cool, and very rewarding in many different ways.

Lys and Dan on the right were featured in a 1973 National Geographic for cycle touring from Alaska to Argentina.

Nathan Skyped with his family.

Lys was very busy while we were there and Dan wasn’t home so we basically spent the whole time by ourselves. Lys generously gave us free access to the food that she had in her kitchen. So Nathan and I made our own supper. It was a relaxing evening.