Post Treatment Tour D7 Lopez to Fort Ebey State Park
(Fort Ebey bluff)
Animated map: https://www.relive.com/view/v36AVEg21Gq
I woke with plenty of time to catch the 9:50 ferry back back to Anacortes. I wanted to check out Isabella's Espresso in the village. When I arrived a group of eight senior cyclists were seated outside in two benches with a coffee table between. More cyclists! Lopez seems like the place for biking in the San Juans. It certainly seemed the most welcoming and they all were pretty welcoming.
Inside there was a line and the barrista (Isabella?) worked to get her machine primed for the day. I struggled with being patient despite cyclists having chill as a goal. I had plenty of time. Eventually, I got my decaf latte and cauliflower cafe. The eight cyclists had left. I sat and read and fiddled with stuff. At 9:15 it was time to go.
A short four miles later and I was at the dock. The Eight were there. I learned they were a group of friends doing a self supported bike tour staying at B&Bs. Only one was from Washington. One asked how much weight I was carrying and seemed surprised I didn't know. I probably sounded smug when I explained that you let the bike and gears do the work and don't sweat the slower time. I had a nice chat with Tom from Iowa. He was retired from IDOT and lives in Ames.
I went back to charging on the ferry. I was happy the window side seats had plugs. I watched the island drift by. We reached Anacortes sooner than I expected. I had to decide which way to return home and whether to camp or get a hotel to avoid the expected rain. Option one was riding down Whidbey. Option two was jumping over to Port Townsend. Option two was shorter with less riding through Seattle suburbs. Both options had hotels. I vacillated as the ferry ramp dropped and as I snapped a photo for my eight new friends. Soon I was pedalling south still indecisive.
The road was forested and fairly busy with a two foot shoulder. I didn't take any photos. After an hour I was at Deception Pass. I've crossed this bridge many times, but never on a bike. I still haven't because I opted to walk it across. I recalled, falsely, that a cyclist had been killed on the narrow deck. Walking would also allow me to take pictures. The downside was my wide load caused awkward encounters with other pedestrians on the narrow walkway.
Back on the bike, I quickly moved down route 525 looking to get off ASAP. It is safe, but very busy. Luckily, it wasn't long until I got to Ducken Road. Phew! Off the highway. Soon I turned onto the wonderfully named Monkey Hill Road. I came across a hawk in the road. It strangely didn't move until I was nearly upon it. I wondered if it was injured. I tried to get a picture of it on the road, but it flew up to a wire when I got my camera out. It was then I saw it had caught a snake. The poor thing was still alive. Despite feeling cruel, I let nature take its course.
On my way south I passed Dugualla Bay, a pleasant Beach that Google reviews tell me had nice sunrises but sometimes smells funky. Near Port Orchard I passed an unusual old barn with stone foundation. As I neared Port Orchard development developed. After the San Juans it seemed like New York. I pedelled towards the stroad called Port Orchard bracing myself until I got to a nice, old commercial strip. Port Orchard has a walkable part! Huh!
I still didn't know which way I wanted to go home. It was 1:30. I was hungry. I'd think over lunch. I got chicken enchiladas at Noe Jose Cafe Family Restaurant. Service was quick and friendly. By 2:20, still vacillating, I was on the road. I popped into Safeway for rubber gloves for tomorrow's rain and a dinner in case I camped. I wanted to test the rubber gloves as waterproof bike gloves idea. I'd need them no matter which route or sleeping option I chose.
The road swept along the north side of Penn Cove. Tired, I got a huge boost from a guy who shouted, "Just keep pedalling" to me. I decided I'd get a hotel in Port Townsend, eat a nice dinner out, and get home with plenty of time for the 6pm zoom with Kisho. Soon I was at the turn off to Coupeville and the Port Townsend ferry. Screw it. I'm camping here on Whidbey.
I turned away from Coupeville and headed up the road to Fort Ebey State Park. Why didn't the military have to put their forts on high bluffs! What a hill! Thankfully I was looking in the right direction to spot the small sign for the hiker/biker spots. To my surprise there were two tents set up, but no bikes or occupants. It wasn't even 4pm. I got set up and then headed for the old gun battery. The bluff is amazing! Wide views of the Straight of Juan de Fuca and over to Fort Worden. I didn't even have to work to chill here. I lounged and looked at the view people watching until dinner. Then I got my stuff and made dinner while continuing to watch the view.
During this time I met Kelly and Bob, two parents chaperoning a group of teenage girls who were my neighbors. They'd hiked the park technically qualifying for the spots, but Kelly and Bob brought amenities like a gas grill. They were locals. I worked the girls would be giggling all night, but either Kelly and Bob were on it or they were tired or both.
I stayed up on the bluff until night came. A host of people came to watch the sunset, but the clouds didn't cooperate. I saw three huge cruise ship cruise by. A buoy with a bell rolled in the waves far below the bluff. The Navy Jets took the night off. Two tame deer munched grass. Soon I was in my tent drifting off on the last night of the tour.
(Deer friends)
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