Harley's tent and car just slightly down hill from mine. He must have really abused that car to get up the dirt road. After several days of riding paved roads in the Mt. Baker area, I decided to investigate the loop road that I was camped on.
What was easy for me and car beating for Harley.
From my camp it got just a little rougher. Nothing that a street bike couldn't handle. It was hard for my eyes to handle this early morning beauty.
I found these bee hives beside the road. Electric wires surrounded them. I'm guessing to keep out bears.
12 miles later I realized my loop road had collapsed
When I got back, my roommate was gone. I didn't stop. I knew that the only food I had was a can of peaches, tea bags, instant mashed potatoes and little else. It's time for a trip to a convenience store and supplies supplemented by cheesy pizza bread dipped in marinara sauce.
Back to Mt. Baker and a ride up Glacier Creek road, a partly paved, used to be paved, never paved and pot hole filled road. Very little traffic.
But a pretty creek feeding Glacier Creek.
To my surprise I met a Harley rider that used to be a motocross rider. He was breaking in his new bike with only 1800 miles on it. That's a pretty gnarly road for any street bike, much less a low riding Harley.
Time to go back up the mountain to check in with friends and family.
When I got back to camp, I found this rock in the fire pit. I hope its not to me and from my dope smoking, mushroom eating ex-con roommate, but how could I have missed this for 3 days even though I didn't build a fire in the pit.
I reluctantly left Mt. Baker today. Big Foot is seen regularly in these parts.
He has apparently found a mate. It's just another case of an invasive species being released by a well meaning pet owner, only to become a species that crowds out the indigenous species of humans.
I rode less than 100 miles today until I found a small motel in Anacortes, Washington and it's again time for a bath and an oil change. This time, I opted for the local laundromat where I saw this Subaru Brat. I was always intrigued by this car and wondered why it didn't catch on.
I called one of the Cyclegear stores in Portland and ordered new tires, knowing I would be there in a week or two.
I woke up early due to activity in the room next to mine. I was anxious to ride my first long ferry. I was excited to go to Orcas Island. Alas, the next ferry wasn't until 11:20 and it was only 8:00. The ticket seller at the ferry suggested Washington Park which was close. This Morris Minor was in the parking lot.
My first view of the ocean on this trip
If this isn't the same type of tree as the Madrone in Big Bend, it's a close relative.
Time to get back to the ferry where I was put in the front of the line and got to load right after pedestrians and bicycles.
I felt privileged until I realized motorcycles could be put into corners that were unusable for cars, thus freeing up a space for a higher paying car customer.
I met Rob and Jean in the truck behind me. They are stuck in Washington because their 45 foot boat will not make it to Alaska without stopping for supplies and to refuel. Their annual vacation turned into cruises around the San Juan Islands in what I would consider a house boat, but turned out to be a trawer which they consider to be the perfect boat to take to Alaska. Covid hasn't just affected my travels. A wonderful couple that gave me lots of tips on where to go and what to see.
They gave me their card and Rob said to call if I had problems. We met again at Deer Harbor on Orcas Island where they were going to tour a friend's boat. How big does a boat have to be before it becomes a ship?
We crossed paths with other ferries.
I would guess that at least half of the roads on Orcas Island are private. I found three spots where the ocean was accessible and two of them were boat docks. The roads through the state park made the trip worthwhile, even though I was afraid to park and walk since I had refused to pay $35 for a parking pass. I got this shot of Mt Baker at the one spot that was not a boat dock.
Interesting.
I wonder if that little island is for sale. It is extremely evident that I am out of my financial class on this island.
Camping was $60 per night plus tax. This was on top of the lodge of the campground that I stayed in. I believe this is from the graveyard scene in the movie Beetlejuice. The campground host assured me it was a replica as were several signs on the property.
One of the poorer residents rowing his tender out to his yacht.
I stopped to pick berries for tomorrows breakfast and found these partially hidden in the weeds beside the road.
I found this kayak skeleton at Deer Harbor marina.
It was held together with what looked like thin strips of rawhide, but I was told it was sinew.
If you don't want the long ferry ride, you can hop on an airplane.
I was looking at this picture on the screen of my camera and missed him catching a small fish. I did see him turn the fish and swallow.
Two nights is all I could afford in Orcas campground so back to the mainland I went. I was expecting another $28 ferry fee, but was surprised that vehicles returning to the mainland were not ticketed.
I headed south on Whidbey Island and stopped here for lunch. It reminded me somewhat of Meow Wolf in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Not all the protesters in Washington and Oregon are youngsters. This fellow beats me by several years. He can be seen on this same corner six days a week. He takes off Sunday.
The Olympic NP brochures say Hurricane Ridge is a must see road. This road, Deer Park, is not mentioned. It's a very nice motorcycle road and nearly empty of cars.
Hurricane ridge is not bad either. The road is wet, but it's not raining. In 67 days, I was rained on three times, once so lightly that I didn't put on my rain suit.
Another big tree. My hat is added for perspective.
A short hike from Crescent Lake will reward you with this pretty waterfall. Stop here and turn around. A strenuous hike of about 3 miles past this pretty waterfall will reward you with a view of a green scum covered lake about the size of my house lot.
Beach access on the Olympic Peninsula is just about anywhere, although most require a hike. Rialta requires a scramble over a log jam.
This is the reward.
It's a violent beach and swimming would be very dangerous.
There is also Whale Mouth Rock and Hole in the Rock.
The National Park campgrounds near Rialta beach were both full, but I noticed Cycle Camp beside the highway and it turned out to be the best campground that I stayed at, for many reasons.
The price for camping is: You must tour the facilities with Bob. You must tour his garage.
Chevy Suburban
You must see his 3 wheeler. He drives this.
You must see his art
He holds an annual benefit for breast cancer. The size of your donation is determined by which hole you partner fills.
You must tour his garden. He has a medical prescription from his friend, an OBGYN, so he can grow his own.
Bob, the proprietor of Cycle Camp and retired garbage collector. He will want to know your first name and occupation, where you are from and where you are going. He will add some places where you should go and I highly recommend that you take his advise. There is no paper work to fill out. Bob was a wonderful host and if you are ever in Washington, you should drop by and camp with him.