We ventured to the San Juans by bicycle a second time this summer with our Bellingham friends: Kevin and Becky, Jill and Paul, and Julie and Jerry. It was the first bike tour for all but Becky and us, and we should consider it an outstanding success. I think we may have them hooked.
Day One: Bellingham to Lopez Island - 44 miles
Adam's average speed: 11.3 mph
Jill and Paul drove to our house to depart (What? No 10 extra miles from Ferndale?) Brindzi helped them load up and do some last minute bike checks.
Our first real rest stop took place at the Farm to Market Bakery in Bow. We refueled on giant cinnamon rolls and sticky buns.
At Odlin County Park, on Lopez, Jerry hauled some firewood to our campsite. He built that trailer himself. Quite impressive, I think. We saw a few BOB trailers on the trip, and his didn't look any different, really.
Day Two: Around Lopez to Shaw Island - 31 miles (75 total)
Adam's average speed: 10.9 mph
We left our gear at the campground and rode around Lopez a bit before heading to Shaw. We only got a little lost on our way to Agate Beach. Anyway. A good place for snacks.
The campground at Shaw Island County Park was a pretty primitive and mellow spot. Just one road, with campsites on each side. We did some switching and such and got a great couple of sites on the water side, with our own little stair-wall down to the beach.
Day Three: Shaw Island to San Juan Island - 15 miles (90 total)
Adam's average speed: 9.6 mph
We felt lazy and didn't ride around Shaw Island in the morning. We lounged about and then headed to the ferry for Friday Harbor. The ride to San Juan County Park has some nasty hills, but we weathered them. It's Erin's favorite park, and she got to wake up there on her birthday. Our distances and ride times decreased each day on this trip, and we weren't particularly upset about it. It's different when you have a distant final destination that when you're toodling around between campsites.
Day Four: San Juan Island to Anacortes - 15 miles (105 total)
Adam didn't check his average speed!
Waiting for the ferry (and for the dang place to open) outside the Market Chef, which has excellent scones and excellenter chocolate chip cookies. We played some cards and enjoyed the sun.
Driving back from Anacortes to Bellingham, our car decided to stick it to us for taking a trip without it, overheating and doing its little electronic freak-out thing. We limped back to Bellingham and then left it it the shop for a week and a half. Ah, bicycles. No overheating, no electronic freak-outs, no $500+ shop visits.
Waiting for the next trip.
Our annual Red Sox vs. Mariners game at Safeco. We saw the Mariners win one and the Red Sox win one. The Sox took the series. Although it is going to be a tight race. I am afraid of a possible Sox/Mariners play off series. Especially if the Sox win the east and the Mariners get the wild card. So we can route for both now and hope that either the Yankees or the Angles keep loosing.
Adam and Mark "chucking" it.
We have been harvesting LOTS of veggies this summer. We have SUPER amounts of zucchini. Lets say we are getting really tired of trying to come up with ways to use massive amounts of zucchini; grilled, sauted, fried, choc. zucchini cake, zucchini bread with choc. chips, zucchini pie, zucchini in EVERYTHING! We have been enjoying super small corn, although so have the racoons. Beans, tomatoes, artichokes, lettuce, broccoli, and WAY too many fallen apples!
Flowers and (and the WEEDS that go with them)!
Then my parents arrived and have now moved their entire NH house into our house, garage, and attic. Our house has amazingly just absorbed everything.
There 12 feet of moving van is now in our house.
The yard full of stuff.
Now our garage is full.
My dad and Adam have begun the project again. First, finish the hallway sheet rock.
Next outdoor chicken coop!
Apples!
Garden!
Yeah! Summer! How long till next summer?
