State park shuffle

It's been a few days, getting close to BC, and the miles are still coming slowly. I write today from Deception Pass State Park, quiet time 10pm, unless you're flying a fighter jet fifty feet above the campsite, in which case there are no quiet hours.

Last update was from a Starbucks in Aberdeen, home of the muddy wishkah river and Kurt Cobain.

I was hosted by jeff, a retired doctor and nature/ukulele enthusiast.  The next day I got my tyre replaced and was off.  The wind was at my back most of the day and I made good progress, calling it a day at Potlatch State Park. 

The view of Hood Canal was quite something.

The next day I followed the, and I might name wrong, the American adventure cycling association northwest route.  The scenery was great as always, spending most of the morning flying along Hood Canal.  At one point, the road veered away from the canal and climbed up, only to descend back to the canal a mile or so later.  I learned that evening that I passed bill gates house, he had paid to have the road rerouted.  

Lunch in Bremerton and north in the direction of Port Townsend.  The heat was taking a toll so I stopped for the night at kitsap memorial state park. I shared a hiker/biker campsite with Marie from France. 61 years old, she spends her summers bike touring in America, on her own.  This year, vancouver to San Francisco.  Last year, St. Louis to San Francisco. The year prior, New Orleans to St. Louis.  She suggested a good family bike trip is france to turkey, hitting all the major centres along the way. Stay tuned for that blog in the future.  

Looking at Hood Canal, this time from kitsap memorial state park. 

Up early and a bridge crossing at the mouth of the Canal. 

Up and down along coast through scenic and exclusive communities. I was scowled at for no reason other than my cycling shorts haven't been cleaned in three days. Lunch in the stunning Port Townsend and then a short ferry ride to whidby island. 

From the ferry, looking back at port Townsend. 

Another 20 miles or so and I'm here, the 1-star deception pass state park. A couple parting thoughts:

1.  Travel with family is infinitely more rewarding then travel alone, but even alone it can be great.  

2. If you pass a transvestite in a sun hat and denim dress hitchhiking, just keep riding.  Even if he/she calls to you "we should have breakfast sometime....."

3. If you find yourself in the northwest, near kitsap memorial state park, check out Skully's Tavern. A dying breed, Skully serves beer or wine, six kinds of beer, 2 kinds of wine, red or white.  Want something to eat, fresh oysters by the tin for sale. Hours of operation depend on the tides. And remember, at skully's, if your judgement wobbles, use beer goggles.