13 August 2014

Stardate 2014.616

Lavender of the Washington Lavender Farm.

And The Journey Begins

After learning this year’s Ride the Rockies route, Snowcatcher and I decided to spend our annual cycling pilgrimage up north – way up north, as in Olympic Peninsula north. We chose to participate in the Tour de Lavender in Sequim (pronounced skwim), Washington.

Day One began at 3:30 a.m. and in the end found us visiting five states in a bit over 1,000-miles. After a long day, the evening lights of Pendleton, Oregon, were a welcomed site. Including stops, we slammed out an 18-hour day. Long? Yes, but by design. That left us with a little more than 400-miles the following day, making our first ride on Day Three a little easier. Upon arrival in Sequim, we settled into our quarters and were later treated to a very fine dinner in Port Townsend, Washington, by our friends who call Sequim home.


Day Three, was our first ride, Tour de Lavender. This tour is an out-and-back of 71 miles. The ride zigs and zags through the Sequim/Dungeness Valley, visiting lavender farms and the waterfront of Port Angeles. Several miles beyond Port Angeles, the route turns around and somewhat backtracks. Moreover, a large portion of the ride is along the Olympic Discovery Trail, a jewel in itself. At 7 a.m., the ride officially began.

The Boys and Girls Club provided the staging area for the Tour de Lavender.

Stop Number One was the Purple Haze Lavender Farm.

Lavender rows of the Purple Haze Farm.

Lavender rows of the Purple Haze Farm.

Lavender rows of the Purple Haze Farm.

The second stop visited the Jardin du Soleil Lavender Farm.

Lavender fields of the Jardin du Soleil Farm.

Lavender fields of the Jardin du Soleil Farm.

Farm Number Three was the Olympic Lavender Heritage Farm

Drying lavender at the Olympic Lavender Heritage Farm.

Lavender oil distilling gear at the Olympic Lavender Heritage Farm.

Lavender rows of the Olympic Lavender Heritage Farm.

The morning’s fourth farm was the Washington Lavender Farm

Bundled lavender at the Washington Lavender Farm.

From Washington Lavender, we headed west along the Olympic Discovery Trail to Port Angeles and a waterfront rest stop. Riding out of the forest onto a waterfront was, as I like to say, Kuul Beanz! Victoria, Canada, is easily seen across the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Olympic Discovery Trail
Rest stop on the Port Angeles, WA, waterfront.
Crude oil tanker Polar Enterprise docked at Port Angeles, WA.

After filling up on food goodies, Snowcatcher and I continued beyond Port Angeles via waterfront and Olympic Discovery Trail to the Elwha bridge, the approximate half-way and turn around point.

The Elwha River from the Elwha Bridge.  This was our turn around point.

I grew up landlocked and did not visit many coastal areas. So, I’m always quite intrigued with fishing boats, ships, piers and changing tides. Thus, I was quite captivated with the Polar Enterprise. The ship is a crude oil tanker under the U.S. flag. It’s also relatively new, built in 2006. It appears the ship works its way up and down the west coast. Currently, there are no job openings on this vessel.

Crude oil tanker Polar Enterprise docked at Port Angeles, WA.

Another ship has arrived and is awaiting docking.

Another large ship steamed into port while riding back through Port Angeles, WA.

We continue pedaling along the waterfront for several miles before entering the temperate rain forest via Olympic Discovery Trail and the quest for one final lavender farm on the eastern side of Sequim.

Olympic Discovery Trail

Our final farm was Lost Mountain Lavender Farm, followed by a few short miles to our hotel.

Lavender row at The Lost Mountain Lavender Farm.
Lavender row at The Lost Mountain Lavender Farm.

It was a great ride with a good turnout in its second year. Weather was near perfect, and this side of the Puget Sound is very laid back and quiet. I think the ride will grow in popularity.

Next on the itinerary, Ride the Hurricane!

Adios

4 comments:

  1. What an amazing vacation, and your lavender photos make me drool and want to go back. Thank you for one of the best trips of my entire life, and thank you for allowing me to visit such extraordinary places! Can't wait to see the next segment of the trip report!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, our road trips are quite special!! And, this year isn't even over yet. Leaf season is right around the corner.

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  2. Do I detect a hint of disappointment in the phrase "Currently, there are no job openings on this vessel" ?

    Purple Haze. Gotta love it! And what, may I ask, is going on with the distiller? Lavender moonshine?

    Looks like a truly beautiful ride. Hope you guys had fun with Phil and MaryAnn. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No disappointment. Well, maybe 30 years ago. I'm more of a Starship Enterprise type of guy. As for the distiller, lavender oil is separated from the plant by a distilling process. Lavender moonshine? Good idea, I don't think it's being done yet. Snowcatcher and I might have to get on it. Phil and MaryAnn treated us like royalty.

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