Orcas and Seattle
Posted by Andrew on August 7th, 2009 - No Comments;
I spent my second night in the San Juans on Orcas Island - it’s a big horseshoe-shaped island, hard to get around, but absolutely beautiful. I arrived on the ferry with just enough time to ride from the terminal to West Beach Resort to camp for the night. I’ve encountered a number of campgrounds that like to refer to themselves as resorts, but this one priced itself as a resort: $41 for the night + $1 for a shower. By far the most expensive campsite since Maine - I wish I could say that it was the best and worth it, but it wasn’t. *sigh* The shower was hot, the ice cream was cold, and the sunset was excellent. I had a beer and Mrs Fields ice cream sandwich while I watched the sunset over a distant island. Couldn’t help but think how cool it would be sitting there having just biked straight across the country… ohwell, another adventure for another time I suppose (more to come about that).
I was up early the next morning because that’s how large campgrounds work. Dogs need to go out which wakes up the kids who then need to get back on the playground. I’ve learned that tent sites tend to be the worst campsites available - both campgrounds on the San Juans held to the rule very well. On San Juan the “hiker/biker” sites are located as far away from water, power, and the showers as possible on a lousy patch of lumpy ground. On Orcas, my site was about 10 yards from the showers, playground, and volleyball court. Tent areas also look like pet exercise areas - I’ve had several people let their dogs crap behind my tent while I’m standing there eating my Pop-Tarts in the morning.
Note: I’m not hot on large campgrounds right now. Too many people, dogs, kids, diesel engines mixed in with a lot of cheap beer is the complete opposite of what I want in a campsite.
Anyway. The guy camped next to me turned out to be the campground–sorry, “resort”–maintenance guy, who suggested Mt. Constitution as a good place to visit before I leave the Islands. He’s left the islands 3 times in 6 years, so I assumed he really knows what’s up. Kelly suggested hiking up the mountain, but I only have flip-flops and cycling shoes, so up I went on the bike. Steep switchbacks, no shoulder, and a hot, steamy day made for one brutal climb, but the view was worth it. Going back down was a blast - it’s the only time I had to stop on my way down something. I thought the burning smell was the car in front of me, but nope, definitely my brakes. Short hill, brake hard, short hill, brake hard… all the way down the mountain.
Raced back around the island to catch the ferry, which was over an hour late, and went back to Anacortes to camp for the night. On Wednesday the 29th I rode from Anacortes, WA, down WHiDbey Island, crossed back to the mainland and continued to Seattle. 98 miles in 100+ degree heat - it’s the type of heat that comes at you in waves when the wind picks up, much like opening your oven door. After getting lost in the fake street grid around Seattle and falling (1st time in the trip!) on uneven concrete, I arrived at Bryce’s house for a relaxing evening of cheeseburgers and beer. Thanks Bryce, great to see you!
After a night at Bryce’s and the following day spent in front of the computer (bills, email, website!) I rode about 2 miles down the road to Kelly’s apartment for a day of cleaning, reorganizing, repacking, reading, and eating. Thanks a lot Kelly - it’s been a while since I’ve had time to clean up and repack! Just as soon as I got everything unpacked and spread out, Steve sent me a message via facebook - he happened to be in Seattle on his way from VT to AK (home). Excellent timing! I took the bus downtown and we wandered around seeing the sights. The Pike Place Market is definitely worth visiting - we stood with the rest of the crowd waiting to se some fish thrown around for a bit. Everyone was watching with nobody buying, hence the lack of fish flying around. The Pike Brewery IPA was excellent, cheap burritos from Taco Del Mar hit the spot, and the Seattle Monorail is not worth the $2 fare, just walk, it’s not that far.
That evening, I rode one of the extremely well-marked bike paths south to Erica and Brian’s apartment. Minneapolis, you could learn something from Seattle’s bike path signs - the intersections are labeled with directional signs = very helpful. We spent Saturday afternoon watching the Blue Angels perform as part of Sea Fair from the shore of Lake Washington. Very cool show, and very close! I hadn’t seen them since the air show in Schenectady and I’d forgotten how wild it looks. Fantastic Thai food for dinner, some excellent beer, and a game of Container that lasted well into the night - great way to end a few days off from riding. Thanks a lot Erica and Brian, great to see you both!
I got up the next morning and rode my bike to Portland.
On July 10th I had breakfast with Alan, Grace, Kevin, and Laurie in Wolf Point just before Kevin split off to head south. We said goodbye, snapped a few pictures, and everyone clipped in to hit the road. I checked my email one last time and received sad word that my friend Brian Hahl had passed away the previous afternoon. Brian had a heart attack while out riding his bike, surely training for his two big charity rides this summer.
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