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

Armand woke at 6:00-spent 4 hrs putting our bikes together–I slept & visited.  Lynn took us on a tour by car–happy because lots of STEEP hills–looks like a mini SF.  Went to huge market–gorgeous flower arrangements $5-$15-ate ultimate CHOCOLATE brownie because I was low in sugar.  Thai food for dinner-excellent.  Next door was ice cream-Armand had  VEGAN ice cream w/chocolate sauce–he NEVER eats sweets at home-only ME.  Good day.

Mike took us to airport @ 5:30 am w/2 huge bike boxes & all the clothes we could carry on our bikes for 6 weeks.  Stop over in Phoenix where my Super Senior Tennis Team made it to nationals last yr.  Lay over in Oakland–flight attendant announced NO PEANUTS because passenger had allergy–got pretzels produced w/peanuts.  In Seattle took shuttle to Lynn’s.  I met Lynn in 2002 on our Cross Country Bike trip (San Diego to St. Augustine) She was the youngest biker in our group at 50.  Also had hiked the APPALACHIAN TRAIL–which is longer than the bike trip.  I thought about doing it once for 2 min-don’t like hiking, camping or carrying more on my back than I can put on my bike.  She works at the VA Hospital as a surgical nurse.  Haven’t seen each other in 4 yrs  but  seemed like yesterday–special bond we formed on our ride.  Walked to A VEGETARIAN restaurant-ate a big mushroom for dinner.

HECTIC WEEK-SUN (PLAYED 36 HOLES OF GOLF) MON (BRIDGE) TUES (BIKE 35 M W/MARY RUTH & KOREY) BRIDGE W/TENNIS FRIENDS & TOOK DOMINIC (DOG) TO SA) WED (SPENT TIME W/MOM) THURS (BIKE 360 LOOP-40 M W/ARMAND) SWAM 1/2 M) FRI (BIKE 25 M & SWIM W/MARY RUTH–DINNER W/JENNIFER & FAMILY) SAT (SPENT 3 WONDER HRS PLAYING W/GRANDDAUGHTERS–PACKED–DINNER W/TERA & ARMAND’S LAST DAY TO PLAY W/RYAN (18 M) UNTIL WE GET BACK. NOW TERA IS TRYING TO HELP ME FIND A WAY FOR YOU TO FOLLOW OUR LATEST ADVENTURE!!!!! LEAVE AT 5:30 AM FOR AIRPORT

Woke up in SA w/my mother this morning. She thinks that today is the last time I will see her & cut her toenails so she gave me my wonderful b-day card. The hospice nurse came this morning & we all agreed how great she was doing. After they left-said that I guess nothing you heard is going to STOP you from going on this CRAZY trip of yours. MOM-you are NOT going to die during FOOTBALL season & I’ll be back for your b-day 10-21!!!! Went to Austin & picked up Armand’s bike-bought 2 RED lights so cars will see us.

Everyday is different & plans change.  Rain last night  & Armand heard animal noises outside the tent.  Saw little paw prints this morning beside tent.  My daily journal is soaked as are things on floor of tent.  Major problem is our air mattress is losing air & we’re almost on the ground.  Suppose to play tennis at 2:00-great deal-senior special-2 can play for $50.  Go by visitor’s center-told rain will stop by 12:00.  Go into town for breakfast–very expensive & don’t serve pancakes-buy banana bread & cookies in a food mart.  No golf today–decide to pay $80 to take 2 hr scenic boat trip in the rain–no one is sitting on the top deck.  Then we drive scenic rd to Lake Cameron–high pt of day mt goats walking down the rd & later a baby grizzly bear is walking down the same rd–take pictures.  Get to Cameron Lake & is now hailing (little hail)–want my picture but Armand stays in car.  Man from MN w/2 boys are fishing from deck–takes my picture.  Eat & go back to tent-reading in the car when the WIND blows our tent 5 ft away w/luggage inside.  Look at each other–time to go–6:00 PM we pack up & drive to Lethbridge.  On the way SUN comes out–not a cloud in the sky–get room at HJohnsons for $70.  Tomorrow is another day.