Gem of All Gems- Whidbey Island

August 16th-17th, 2008

I am trying to keep up with the blog and post once a week. So far I am doing good because work hasn't totally kicked in to overdrive. This week was interesting because Robert came back from Africa. He had pretty good spirits after a 12 hour layover in Morocco, a 6 hour flight delay in NYC and then a 2 hour wait to get a super shuttle to the doorstep- 7 AM and I was just waking up. He was out the door and off to work by 10 AM. I couldn't have done it...

Overall, I am so glad he came home safely.

There were a couple of trainings we did for teachers this week and one thing we really enjoyed showing was Side by Side interactive www.longmanusa.com/sidebyside . We demoed the program on a smartboard and wow! these things are cool. Every teacher in the district is getting one...Even ELL teachers? Have they been upgraded from chiseling on stone tablets? Amazing!

I had been gazing out on the beautiful sunny days all week and then I just couldn't give up on the idea that I should have at least one trip rain free...So I packed up my stuff and headed down to the downtown ferry for Bremerton. I had never been there before and wasn't overly impressed. It was a good snap shot of living in a Navy town- if I am ever going to fit in I will need to gain 200 lbs, frost my hair and drive a Transam.

I was determined to see Whidbey Island and relive a bit of out cross country US trip in 2008, where we went from Anacortes to Boston. I recently ordered some new bike maps from http://www.omnimap.com/ and although they took some getting used to, I really enjoyed the route suggestions! Great! And just when I thought life was perfect, it seems the scenic less trafficky way is also the HILLIEST way...I had to walk many a hill on the route.

I continued from Port Townsend to Keystone. Upon embarking, I had one of those spells where life is perfect- rolling fields of golden grain, multi colored wild flowers, setting sun and dark fir trees against the blue ocean. The ride from the ferry in to Coupeville is a must see list of cycle trips.

I had to make a choice and continue on Highway 20 if I was going to make it to Deception Pass. I tend to ride faster on the highways, so I gulped a banana every 30 mins and a PowerBar every hour, and water and water and water...The miles just didn't seem to stop. Nor did the hills.

At last, the state park sign appeared and I turned to see "campground FULL." But, there was no way in hell I was doing another mile, so I went up the 20% grade hill to the campground and found the gem of all gems- the hiker biker sites!! Set back along the path, they were remote quiet and about as close to isolation I was going to find. No rain, no mosquitoes and a brilliant full moon emerged at midnight. A magnificent day!

Day Two- Sunday

I rode just a mile north and took some photos on Deception Pass. I was once again entranced by the idea of kayaking the waterways of the state...At least on a sunny day.

Then I rode south again. You know, Whidbey is a very long HILLY island. Getting to the Kingston ferry took until 3 PM with my side tours, extra hills and miles. My knees were starting to hurt and it was still 30 more miles home from Mukilteo...I called Robert. I rode hard thinking how fun it would be to have him see my ride up like Lance Armstong- but he misunderstood my location, and I ended riding almost all the way home anyway.

In total, the two day trip was almost 200 miles and not for people who dont like climbing.

He did make a lovely SPICY dinner- and there was chocolate and ice cream. I couldn't move from the couch, but it was fun and I was SUNBURNED! I know this isn't good, but well, it is summer, right?

Mt Rainier- 150 miles and 10,000 ft of climbing

August 8th and 9th, 2008

So, is there a reason why the name is Rainier- as in "rainy-er"? Rainier than what- Seattle? Yes, it rains more on Mt Rainier. How could it be I am spooked by this looming mountain on sunny days, and when I go right to it, I cant even see it?

By the end of the week, I was fried and yet couldn't stop working. When you work from home, it is so easy to just keep working, and feel you have accomplished nothing. Just send one more email, send one more sample, look for this person,...it never ends. My wrists actually hurt from typing all week and so did my elbows. It was time to get away from the daily life and get some perspective.

Why is it I am always trying to find ways to clear my mind? It took me 80 miles of climbing to finally stop thinking about work. I parked the van in Enumclaw and rode in to the park, rolling hills, trees getting bigger...Then, I went dooowwwn, and then I entered the national monument and went uuuuppppp...It was one of those roads where you can see it zig zagging across the other side of the valley, cutting an impossible line way above the tree line. I needed another banana if I was going to do this.

Then, wouldn't you know it, it started raining! Should I put on my rain gear or not...? Then it started pouring, no more debating...I started shivering and my hands froze around the brakes, my feet were wet and numb and I was hating life. At least I had finally stopped thinking about work!



I got to the campsite and although the sign said "full," luckily people had cancelled, probably because of the weather. I got a nice little spot and cooked in the vestibule of my tent. I put on my dry clothes and hunkered down. It was a dark night- so dark I couldn't even see my hand in front of my face when inside the tent. There was no Alaska summer light and I couldnt find my flashlight.

The rain did stop and I continued the ride the next morning out of the park and on to the main roads back north up through Elbe, Eatonville, Kapowsin and Buckley. Hey- my van was still parked at Rite Aid! Cool! I drove home and got stuck in traffic and construction and road rage, again, back to reality...

Then, Talya saved me with a cool barbeque at Magnuson Park- wow! A beautiful sunny day on Lake Washington...I have to get a boat!

Look At This Mess!

August 4th-8th, 2008 Seattle

My first tasks upon returning back to work?...

Move a pallet of books from the mailbox to my new garage; move out of my old storage space in to my new unit; re-organize EVERYTHING without hurting my back; send the pallet of books back to the warehouse; catch up on the two trainings I missed; finish my reports; email people who dont email me back; call people who dont call me back...blah blah blah.

There's nothing like getting back to "reality" after being on vacation. The weather is so nice, too! Man, I've got to get outside! 3 days of 80 degree weather and I am moving my storage by myself! Dang!

Exploring My Own Back Yard

August 3rd, 2008 Sunday

I was mourning the end of my trip last week. With my neck injury, I thought I would never ride again. Luckily my x-ray proved that the problem was not bone related and probably a cyst of some kind. With that news, I broke out my bike from the box and set off. Getting back in the saddle felt great! This bike fits me so well and the bike seemed to be riding on its own- I kept having to up shift to be able to keep up with the pace...It was weird- I was so desperately missing riding.

And, as luck would have it, there are plenty of great amazing rides right here in Washington! Now that I am "back in business" (credit to Olinda), I am excited to start exploring the neighborhoods and parks right outside my door. On Saturday I rode around Lake Washington (the full loop) for the first time- 53 miles. And on Sunday, I did part of the lake and around West Seattle and Lake Union. The Blue Angels were out performing over the I-90 bridge and although the stunts are cool, it feels like the top of sky is being shredded off every time they go by. Dad would like it, but its too loud for me.

I ended with a picnic lunch on Lake Union in the new park at the south end. I watched a guy fly some stunt kites and the hydroplanes take off for flight seeing tours...It was a wonderful sunny day and thank god, I finally feel that "summer" has arrived.

Next stop? I am thinking weekend trips to the Olympic Peninsula and Mt Rainier.