Today I found an ocean.
We started today early. I mean really early. Not by choice. But rather because our body clocks still said we should be running on central time. 4:00am was the start of the day. With the hotel breakfast not starting till 7. I really tried to go back to bed. Spoiler: moderate success.
We had breakfast at the hotel including Starbucks coffee. Shocking I know. Since I'm in Seattle does that make Starbucks local? Anyway we packed up our backpacks and began our journey to reunite with the rest of our adventuring crew who had driven out the previous couple days with our bikes and much of our gear.
Step 1: Get to the ferry. We left in plenty of time to walk the 20 min or so down to the ferry terminal. Along the way we passed through Pioneer Square. Apparently this is a pretty famous Seattle spot. My guess is because it was early on a Sunday morning everyone was still at home and the square was pretty quiet. Cool totem pole though.
Down the hill to the ferry terminal. Alex and Art said that a major highway used to run right next to the water but that has since been moved underground. They've put blocks all along the sidewalk to help bring some light down to the tunnels below. It made for a pretty easy crossing.
We had some time to kill so just stared out over the water. When our boat arrived we quickly made our way to the upper decks to explore. This ferry also carries vehicles and bikes across as well. Everyone queues in a marked holding area before hand and then rides/drives onto the ferry. Foot traffic goes direct to passenger area.
Step 2: Get across the Sound.
The boat we were on was named Tacoma and it is quite a large ship. So large that it didn't even feel like a boat moving underneath you. We walked end to end to check it out and see the surrounding views. The shorefront skyline of Seattle is so cool as the Space Needle stands apart from the rest of the skyscrapers of downtown.
Step 3: Take a bus.
There was one bus that we HAD to catch across the sound on Bainbridge Island. We got there right as the bus was arriving from its previous run and that left us a full hour to explore Bainbridge Island. A quick trip to a super quaint downtown later and I had me a piece of Blubarb Pie. A new combo for me and one I'll have to remember.
The bus ride was uneventful. In fact, I took a nap. The bus meandered along the coast line and brought us some wonderful views and a sneak peak of some of the places we'll be seeing in the next few days.
Step 4: Find a Jeff.
The bus brought us to Port Angeles, WA. A delightful town where we waited for Jeff to come get us and reunite us with our gear. Had some fantastic pizza at Barhop Brewing, Co. Unfortunately it was so good no pictures were taken. I did manage to do pretty well in a game of cribbage against Alex.
Step 5: Get to Forks
Almost there! We drove the final hour over to forks where The rest of our adventuring crew was waiting. We quickly got changed and kicked off for our first ride.
Step 6: Find an ocean.
This part of Washington is home to a large part of Olympic National Park. We meandered our way through embraced by millions of trees. Conifers of all sizes large and small. The road was smooth and the riding pretty easy. As we got closer I could start to smell the ocean. It smelled of clear salty wetness. Then I saw it. Water so large you can't see the other side. The wind was whipping up the waves into a fantastic froth. The power of the ocean is not something you can deny, and I was in awe of its majesty. We took some photos, and now our journey has officially begun. Next stop Atlantic.
We ended our night at a great little pizza shop just across the street from our hotel.
Steps Taken Today : 15K
Miles ridden today: 30.1
Total miles ridden: 30.1
Total Steps Taken: 35K
ps. Fun Fact about Forks. Forks is the setting for Stephanie Meyer's Twilight trilogy. The town has embraced this identity with varying willingness. The pizza had a "secret" menu just for fans of the books.
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