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Padilla Bay catches early light at a low tide. In the background float the eastern San Juan Islands.


The MS 150 – Washington Style – Concludes
Welcome back, ladies and germs. Are we ready for Day Two? Let's go...

No islands today; we stay on the mainland and start by heading north toward Bellingham, Washington. I hope you enjoy the pics as much as I did shooting them! You have to love early morning light. Top o' the day to ya!




This ride was through some very pastoral settings.




We just made a turn and are heading west toward the coast.




To the northeast rise the foothills of the serrated north Cascade Mountains.




The opposite side of Padilla Bay houses another mill of some sort (possibly wood products).




It's the Snowcatcher shadow dancing.




That's it for the MS ride. There's more Pacific Northwest to come though; stay tuned.

Adios!

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The Deception Pass Classic
Day One's ride sped off to a good start. Our route took us to the port of Anacortes on Fidalgo Island. Then we rolled south toward Deception Pass and Whidbey Island for lunch. The return to Mount Vernon was a different, albeit scenic coastal route. I like riding on the coast. However, sometimes I feel like there's too much air. Maybe it's because I live at 5,700 feet, I don't know. (Yes, you can roll your eyes!) I seem to ride rather sluggishly at sea level.

The overcast skies released an occasional droplet of water and kept things on the cool side. Ambient coastal conditions also helped with Fahrenheit control. Below is one of Day One's morning views north while en-route to the port at Anacortes, Fidalgo Island.




Another morning view south while heading to Fidalgo Island and Anacortes.




I'm pretty sure this is the Swinomish Channel, which is the eastern separation of Fidalgo Island with the mainland.




It's time for breakfast! Thanks, volunteers and Swinomish Tribe.



The bike route crossed a portion of Fidalgo Bay. The bridge is about 0.5 mile long and not very high above the water. I'd like to see what it looks like at high tide. A volunteer was sweeping broken shells off the path to mitigate any potential tire punctures.




The eastern San Juan Islands come into view.



The only picture I took of Deception Pass during the ride. It was a madhouse of bikes and traffic. Vehicles were stopped by state troopers to allow large groupings of bikes to safely cross the narrow bridges. For context, the opening blog photo is of Deception Pass and was taken in 2014.




What's for lunch? How about roasted chicken, sticky rice and salad? Mmmm... Good stuff, Maynard!




There's something about being in a temperate rain forest. The wet season is right around the corner.



This is probably some sort of wood-products mill. I was too lazy to pedal over and see for myself. There's a very tall reason this area is a global logging center.




My final stop for Day One was again along the Swinomish Channel at the Swinomish Tribal Center.




Stay tuned. More Northwest to come.

Adios

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2014 Favorites

Part 2

August found Snowcatcher and I carousing about lavender farms of Washington State's Olympic Peninsula.
We visited friends, rode bike tours and explored other realms of the Pacific Northwest.

Tour de Lavender by bike

I was fascinated with port activity.

We ferried from Port Townsend to Whidbey Island and...

...camped at Deception Pass.


North Cascades National Park

Grand Coulee Dam

Missoula Montana Smokejumper headquarters



Yellowstone

A wet Stage Two finish of Colorado's USA Pro Cycling Challenge.
The route was from Aspen to Crested Butte via Kebler Pass.
Spend more time with me and Part 3.

Adios

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Deception Pass

The ferry ride was short and lasted about a half-hour. Also, the ship appeared to be close to full. To buy time, anything from candy to draft beer could be purchased at an on-board convenience store. Snowcatcher and I preferred to stay out on the deck savoring the brisk sea breeze.





Some of Washington State’s bread and butter can be observed while being shuttled to Whidbey Island. For instance, a large shorefront logging mill as well as a huge boom used to move cargo on and off of large naval vessels. One-way passenger fees on this shuttle was between 3 and 4 dollars. Our fee for two passengers and one SUV rang-up around 16 dollars. In my opinion, the ferries are affordable conveniences often maximizing time. To drive around the southern end of Pugent Sound and back north would have cost us close to a tank of petrol and 40 dollars, give or take.



Soon after the boat started bearing north, we began to prepare for docking and our exit.



Once on Whidbey Island, we headed north through picturesque farm and forest land. I was actually surprised how many homes dotted the landscape. I guess I was expecting Gilligan’s Island or something. Oak Harbor was really bustling with activity. I didn’t realize until now that a military base was only a stone’s throw away. A short distance farther north and we reached our camp area at Deception Pass. At the pass proper, the bridges joining Whidbey Island to Fidalgo Island have walkways on each side. This allowed for some good photo shots from above the water.



The first Europeans to see this strait were Spanish explorers sailing under Manuel Quimper on the Princess Real. Joseph Whidbey of the George Vancouver expedition found and mapped the strait on 07 June 1792. It was named Deception because both Whidbey and Vancouver initially thought Whidbey Island to be a peninsula.



Fast tidal flows and large whirlpools may be seen from the bridges. We hiked the area while the tide was coming in. The water’s speed was awesome. Deception Pass has additional colorful history. If you ever have a spare minute, check it out.



Next stop, The North Cascades.

Adios

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Island Hopping

Following the ride up Hurricane Ridge, our Olympic friends treated Snowcatcher and I to another outstanding meal in Port Townsend, Washington. Our trip to the Olympic Peninsula had come to an end and we charted a course farther north for our return to Colorado. Bidding farewell to the Goat Mother, Goat Father and clan, we began our northeasterly journey.





We arrived in Port Townsend with some extra time. So, how does a landlocked ruffian kill an hour or so? Why, by checking out the docking area.



Quaint and delightful describes Port Townsend. In the mood for pizza, we found a pizzeria across the street from the docking area. How about a Hawaiian pizza with a Sicilian crust? Mmmmmm... it was a scrumptious lunch that would make a fine camp dinner as well.



Do pray tell, thar she be.





A few slices later and our Ferry docked.



You don’t realize how big these boats are until you witness their cargo. It appears semi-trucks are common and fit right in.



See ya Olympic Peninsula. We’ll be back. Next stop, Whidbey Island.

Adios