Spoiled But Not Rotten

Tuesday, July 15 - 48 Miles from Raymond, WA to Ocean Park, WA
Wednesday, July 16 - First rest day!
We rode to Ocean Park and are staying with my big brother Pat and his wife Carnita in their lovely home near the beach.  Paul often likes to tell folks that I am the baby of the family of six children and how spoiled I was.  My brother Pat helped immensely in that department,  so you can imagine how excited I was to come here:)   We have had royal treatment including fabulous homemade meals by Carnita, laundry service, our own little apartment, and an exquisite walk on the beach near their home.  

Sign in Coffee Shop

Outside the coffee shop in South Bend

                

  Pat set me up with Leatherman tool and more batteries for my lights (did I mention spoiling:)

Memory Lane

Another lovely day of cycling from Chehalis to Raymond - 62 miles.  We passed through the town of Pe Ell where I did my first year of teaching in 1997-8.  Evey's Cafe is still there, so we had lunch and I left greetings from Mrs. Brunton to a family that is still in the area.  Then on to Raymond where I had my photo taken with the wooden logger sculpture to honor the good ol' days when "my lover was a logger."   (An old timey song for those of you who may not know:)

I taught kindergarten here my first year of teaching.

Raymond, WA Logger Carving -Missing my Paulie!

Hospitality to Ride For!

Sunday, July 12 - Today we rode 52 miles to Melody and Bob's place in Chehalis. Bob greeted us with fresh watermelon, plums, shrimp, chicken, and bread . . . and that was just lunch!  We're looking forward to steak dinner later. Sorta feel like I've died and gone to heaven about now.  Lovely home, lovely people, lovely hospitality!

                                  Thank you Bob and Melody!      

Ukulele Practice

Hallelujah! Rain in Washington!

Saturday - July 11   We rode in the rain for the first time today from Hoodsport to Elma- 43 miles. We were so happy to get some much needed rain that we enjoyed every minute (especially since it wasn't cold).  Once again we have the luxury of a motel since the rain continued.

•     Highlight of the day - we laughed a lot all day long.       Maybe we're getting delirious:)

•     Talking all the fam - they're such great cheerleaders

•     The camaraderie 

•     The beauty of our state  

•      More eagles

                                                 Happy to don our rain gear!

July 8th, 9th, and 10th Catch up the Blog

Turns out I am having difficulty doing the Blog from my phone so am catching up via computer since we landed at a wonderful resort in Hoodsport.

July 8 - We were excited to be riding to Deception Pass. It's not a very bike friendly road there and it was foggy, but we did get a picture and move along.  Got in 55 miles and camped at Ebey State Park.

July 9 - Road the Ferry to Port Townsend.  Had a wonderful visit with Melody's brother John while there.  He treated us to lunch and we made our way to Dosewallips State Park.  53 miles today with Mount Walker Pass at the end and more great camping.
Highlight:

• Eagles
• Yummy dinner outside where we could watch the eagles

July 10 - We decided to have a short day today and the luxury of staying in a motel.  Road 26 miles to Hoodsport.  Staying at Glen Ayr Resort.  Hot Tub, laundry, internet, 2 queen beds - life is good!

July 6 We Begin Our Ride

Since Mel and I met in Bellingham, we needed to ride up to Blaine to officially begin our ride at the Canadian border. We surprised ourselves by getting in a 65 mile day and ended up south of Bellingham where we camped at Larabee State Park.  I guess we had a lot of pent up energy so the miles flew by. 

Highlights of the day:

• Peace Arch at Blaine and the beautiful park 
• Seeing the most Blue Heron congregated on the beach than I've ever seen!
• Camping - I love to camp:)
• 
  
  
  

Starting in Bellingham

Monday, July 6 -Thanks to our fine friends and neighbors Bill and Denise for transporting me to Bellingham.  I met my friend Mel at the train station (she traveled from Chehalis).  We stayed in a sweet little Air BnB. We start riding in the morning - yay!

                                  Mel arrives at the train station.