What a wonderful day!!  Up at 8:00-for my b-day present wanted pictures down loaded-ask Armand to pick some for blog–so impressed w/his captions.  Biked to golf course-stop to take off some clothes–warmest day so far.  Armand checks ferry schedule–leaves at either 12:05 or 12:25–it’s 9:30.  I want to play golf for my b-day-this was also the place where I almost aborted our trip over a missing clip.  $120 later have clubs, tees, & 12 golf balls (were 12 for $10) & pull carts–our bike shoes are also golf shoes.  1st ball he hits is in the rd–I don’t do much better.  Leader loses 2 more balls on hole #2–at this rate we will be out of balls before we finish 9 holes.  No one on course–just like we had the lake to ourselves yesterday in canoe–did a little better-especially my drive on the LAST hole.  Too bad we can’t play again-time to bike to ferry.  Much easier now-have time to buy 2 L-fat chocolate milks, chicken enchiladas (warm up in store microwave) & chocolate chip cookie for my b-day.  Another nice ferry ride.  Planning to bike 35 m around island & leave-ask couple we meet if they are staying on LOPEZ.  They tell us Lopez Lodge-5 m later we see it-Armand checks vacancy & price-1 room left-$80-we take it.  Nicest room so far-upstairs-w/balcony-view of lake–b-day is getting better.  Suppose to be 35 m ride around island & it’s suppose to be the “flattest”–nothing is FLAT in San Juan.  Stop at Shark Reef Shore–little girl is all excited to tell us she saw a hundred sea lions. Hike (bike shoes are also hiking shoes)-1/4 m on tree shaded, dirt path to sea-sit on rock & watch sea lions basking on rocks in the sun. When we finally leave I realize I/M TIRED & DON’T WANT TO BIKE ANYMORE. Leader says I will have to bike back to motel–OK-long downhill–I race by leader at 39 mph–that was FUN without the curves. Get cleaned up-dinner at café next to lodge. Sun is still shinning on lake. This is the most laid back of the islands. A perfect day with my perfect partner.

FANTASTIC–CHALLENGING DAY!!  Loved our room w/trees on wall.  Lose room tonight-full except for “dorm” room-still better than camping & we get to leave our bags here.  Go downtown to bakery (Sharon recommended)-order double “double” chocolate chip muffin!!  Armand had to help me eat it-went to store for chocolate milk.  Started up to MORAN STATE PARK & TRY TO CLIMB MT. CONSTITUTION!!  Eddie & Sharon said it was difficult (they hiked) but the views were fantastic.  We’ve climbed 10 & 12 mile mts in New Hampshire & Vermont–this was much harder.  Lots of switchbacks that just kept going up & up-biking at 3-3.8 mph most of the way-Armand no where in sight.  Stop & take picture of deer eating beside rd-talk to him.  Narrow rd-no shoulder-few cars-very courteous drivers.  Rd is completely shaded by beautiful huge trees–moss lines the ground–grateful to God to have opportunity & health to bike this.  Get near top-see ocean-sun is starting to come out.  Make it to the SUMMIT-2,409 ft–has to be 1 of the most beautiful places in the world.  Spend an hr-eat rest of food Sharon gave us-while watching a wedding-little flower girl trips-spills all her flowers & starts screaming.  Several people who passed us in cars come by to congratulate us–I feel proud.  Now for the decent–I’m the leader-I go faster downhill.  Very scary-25-38 mph riding the brakes.  Get down–lake at park–rent canoe for hr–great relaxing time w/my best friend.   Back to hostel & dorm room–Armand is in the GIRL’S DORM–other girl said it was OK–it’s nicer than bunk beds in guy’s dorm.  Take shower-walk to grocery store for dinner.  Write blog-hot tub-bed-tomorrow is another day. 

Some days start badly -end goodly.  was writing blog this morning because usually don’t have time at night-movie over at 10:30.  Armand eats bear claw-packs-I blog.  60% chance of rain-he’s going out door without me-says he wants to throw computer in lake.  I pack quickly-he’s taken back control of his leadership–I did have fun yesterday.  Cold to start-1st hill warm up quickly.  Get to Lime Kiln lighthouse state Park–start walking down trail–ask couple what’s down there.  Just saw about 100 whales–I start running.  Not there, may be at lighthouse-keep running.  People there say more are coming–very foggy–hear whale noises.  Suddenly fins come out of water–very close to shore–very exciting.  Orca Whales swim & live in pods–each pod has own language-baby whales stay w/mother all their lives in same pod.  Next went to historical park–at 20 m find bench & eat last bear claw.  Suppose to do 35 m but need to get to ferry by 2:00.  Tell leader cut off 7 m-don’t need to see 2nd lighthouse.  Having terrible time clipping onto bike pedal & going up some hills at 3.6 mph.  Only few m till ferry–OH-OH.  Leader sees sign-NO OUTLET.  Ask motorist–need to go back to park-hear him say his wife won’t be happy.  I’M NOT HAPPY–my fingers are numb-don’t want to redo hills again.  Get back to park–says he’s sorry–did an extra 10 m.  Tell myself-at least it’s not raining–still on wet rds.  Make it to ferry–15 min to spare.  Talked to my tennis & bridge friend from Austin–they are staying in Orcas-going to meet them.  Also meet 3 bikers-ask where they’re staying–hostel–get #-call-make reservations.  Another nice ferry ride-have 500 piece puzzles on tables if bored.  Get off ferry–can’t get clipped in–tell leader to stop.  Discover clip has fallen off shoe.  Call Sharon-find out house is 5 m away by golf course but they’re eating in East Sound.  Bike to golf course–not going any farther if there is no bike shop on island.  Bruce, the sheriff is there–tells us bike store in town.  Have on my TX shirt–tells me he met some other people from Austin in town.  Bike few m into town-find bike shop-Bruce told him we were coming.  Have clips-tells me wrong clips on shoes-replaces both-work great–I’M HAPPY AGAIN.  Sharon finds us-so good to see her.  She goes to store-we go to hostel-she & husband Eddie will pick us up.  Hostel is old Victorian house-have a private, darling room-hot tub outside-$88-what a deal.  Sharon & Eddie take us back to their house-meet friends Mary & Steve-they feed us–very nice time.  Eddie gave us tour of island & tomorrow’s challenge.  Relax in hot tub-write blog-go to sleep–happy to make it through another day.  Received sad news-Armand’s daughter Tera (they’re staying at our house) had to put their dog BEAR to sleep today.

Our bikes slept outside for the 1st time–Armand had to sign paper agreeing NOT to bring bikes into room.  We laugh-no way for bikes to fit in rooms-at least bikes covered w/tarp.  Thunder & rain greet us-walk to grocery store next door.  Get ch milk & bear claws-still on sugar hi from last night w/3 glasses of tea=36 packets of sugar–had to steal from 4 tables.  Write yesterdays blog–remembering bad things about leader.  Now we’re checked out, packed & loading up bikes–starts to rain harder-cover bikes & sit on covered benches.  Todays plan-bike 35 m around island-take ferry to ORCA ISLAND-bike some more!!!!  I go in office & ask what can we do HERE.  Gives me map-WHALE MUSEUM, DOCK & see POPEYE (1 eye sea lion), cute 8 lane bowling alley, movie theatre, & here’s good THAI restaurant.  Go tell leader there is a NEW LEADER TODAY-not biking in rain.  Check back into dumpy Orca Inn–which is now looking pretty good–cheapest place to stay on island by far–said Best W was $360 a night last week.  Couple who run place very nice & helpful.  Wife offers to drive us to WHALE MUSEUM (still raining).  My whale’s name is Ocean Sun-oldest living Orca in L Pod-born in 1928–one Orca is over 100 yrs.  Found out Grey Whales swim from Alaska to Mex & back every yr-3,500 miles.  Went to dock-statue of POPEYE-ask fish lady where real Popeye is–she’ll be back in 5 weeks–guess she’s on vacation.  Next stop 8 lane bowling alley–shoes $3.50 & games $3.50.  Haven’t bowled in yrs so take practice frame–balls go in gutter-can’t bend knees.  We make bet-bowling comes back to me.  The 1 who loves ch milk bowls 150 & 178-the 1 who drinks SOY milk bowled 90 &111!!  Only 4 other people there–where are You All from?  I ask.  Austin, TX!!!!  Can’t believe it–so are we–what a small world.  Go back to motel-get dirty clothes-wash clothes-eat at Thai Rest (delicious)-dry clothes-go see BUTLER at movie theatre (wonderful).  Need to go-Armand is leaving. 

Woke up @ 6-he’s asleep-7-he’s still asleep-decide to blog-have computer under covers-can’t see-go sit on toilet to write.  Leader finally wakes up-write for 1 hr (I’m very slow) Leave at 9:15.  No one has been able to give us exact miles to ANACORTES-10 to 20.  On hiway-get off to follow Adventure Cycling route-leader is reading map backward.  Stops-doesn’t look right-ask directions at construction site.  Go back 3 m to hiway 20-at least it’s downhill now.  Stop at DECEPTION PASS-now I remember why I bike–beautiful views.  Armand has his RAGBRAI (bike across Iowa) shirt on-3 people come over-want to take his picture-they’re from IA.  Then another couple come over from IA-he has a Ragbrai water bottle from 2008!  My dad was from IA so we have a reunion.  Go over bridge-narrow mt rd.  Force leader to stop at 20m-low fat chocolate milk & chocolate chip- cookie from Safeway-other one has soy chocolate milk & bear claws.  Stop at ANACORTES for picture-meet Lynn & Carol-she takes pictures of us because I said we are going to San Diego (on 2nd day)  Comments on my bike animals-have a tiger & hedge hog named SUGAR that Kaitlyn (grandd) gave me-takes pictures of them.  31 m later board ferry–1 hr ride-nap on ferry.  Check into Orca Inn ($77)-depressingly small room.  Decide to bike loop around island–now 5:00.  Nice scenery-hills-alpacas-cows.  Stop at Sculpture Gardens-can buy them-$3,000 to 60,000.  Now I just want to get back-I’M VERY HUNGRY.   Racing on downhills–feels like a training ride–NOT HAPPY W/LEADER.  Get back at 7:30-leader wants to clean up–BUT WHY??????  Go & clean up-walk to Best Western-have Mexican Rest inside.  Get food at 8:30 PM–thank goodness I had the milk & 1 cookie for lunch–we also never finish our 1 bottle of water in a day.  suppose to rain tomorrow-ask rate at BW-$260 a night–we go back to dinky room & I go straight to bed.

Bike 9:00-2:00   31 m  11mph (5-29mph) FERRY  5:00-7:30  22m  11mph

HOPE TO POST PICTURES SOON–THAT’S ARMAND’S JOB

Woke at 5:30 to rain-Lynn gets up every morning at 4:30.  Left at 7:00 in drizzle & wet streets-scary steep downhills & an uphill that I thought I may have to walk–don’t think I’m prepared to bike.  Get to ferry downtown-cost $7 each for ride to BAINBRIDGE ISLAND.  Ferry can hold over a 1,000 but very few on it–very nice.  Armand asks directions–man offers to put our bikes in his truck for 15 m ride to next town–we bike on wet rd w/lots of traffic & hills instead.  Find back rd-see furry cows & llamas–beautiful country side.  In 5 m back on highway w/18 wheelers.  Most of time Armand is way out in front-if I’m too close his bike spits dirty water in my face.  At 30 m stop at information hut-next town is 10 m-has 1 café that has 21 kinds of PIES.  I’m not happy w/my leader, especially when he flies by the café.  I stop & scream his name–not leaving until I get food.  We don’t eat breakfast & he only tries to feed me 1 meal a day when we bike.   I’m cold & wet–order a Rueben sandwich w/fries & pea soup & TEA.  Put 12 sugar packs in glass-2 glasses=24–starting to feel better.  Can only eat 3 bites of sandwich-not good.  Armand orders PECAN PIE while I go change into dry clothes–I can’t stop shivering.  Come back & the PIE is gone except for tiny morsel–offers it to me.  We could have serious problems on this trip.  Sun is now out–10 more miles to PORT TOWNSEND & ferry.  Cute town, decide to be tourist-stop at museum-meet Ray from England who tells us other points of interest.  In museum I learn there are 76 names for prostitutes starting w/baggage end w/working girl.  Jail downstairs–picture taken behind bars.  Go to see boats being made.  Jim is in rowing club-see 58-62 ft 8 crew boats-cost $15,000-40,000.  Take ferry & 14 miles later in Oak Harbor @ Acorn Motor Inn ($65)-ate dinner at seafood rest-shrimp w/fries–terrible meal-walk to Safeway for Armand’s meal of fruit & oatmeal. 

biked 65 m, 2 ferries,  11.5 mph average(4-34 mph)  5 hrs 35 min of biking   7:00 AM to 6:00 PM