We had a fun-filled day and didn’t stay still! Even though we rode 8 mi, it was “unloaded” so it still counts as a “rest” day. Mostly. The success of the rest can mainly be judged by how our legs feel the following day while riding. Spoiler alert: they felt a lot better! We are definitely getting stronger again in just these few days of riding.

Our morning was spent exploring the park near the campground: the pier, the battery (cement bunker), and the beach at low tide. There was a lot of cool stuff to see! Then we made our way to town (about 3.5 miles if you go the way without the super steep hill). We got lunch at the Food Co-op and then did chores: post office to mail a few things we don’t need, buy some bike lube, get more fuel for our stove, and find another new chapter book to read at bedtime. Of course we got Daisy good coffee, too!

In the evening, a few of Daisy’s family members visited, and brought delicious burgers + fries for dinner. Yummy! It was fun to hang and chat. (Love you cousin!)

Overall, a very successful rest day.

Today was our biggest riding day (with kids) ever! We were so tired by the end of it that we hope to not repeat it.

Deception Pass was a paradise. We slept very well at the hiker/biker site that was set back from the rest of the campground. In the morning we made the decision to take a shortcut down a dune path that Google recommended. Every time we do this we are reminded that Google’s cycling directions are not to be trusted! This time it worked out beautifully, however.

We rode down a lovely paved path next to the ocean until it ended. Then it was a struggle fest over a sandy path until we reached a private gravel road. It was gorgeous, but there was definitely some fear we’d be trapped when we reached the exit and saw a big gate! It opened automatically as we approached, however. The desire for convenience of motorists helped us out a lot for once!

We stopped for lunch at Joseph Whidbey State Park, where we met Jason’s aunt and enjoyed one of the lowest tides of the year. The kids loved playing in the sand and we ate to the bottom of the lunch bag – including a Cheetos burrito!

It was a bit of a struggle fest to the next landmark – the grocery store in Coupeville. Specifically, there was a very steep hill that required grown ups to push and kids to walk… But we made it and discussed perseverance AGAIN.

After eating a GIANT snack at the grocery store we powered through to the ferry landing. The kids got fourth of July cookies there that definitely ruined their dinner but oh well.

By the time we finally rolled into camp we were thoroughly exhausted. The kids however were wild! We rolled right into a hiker/biker site and were all asleep well before any fireworks started.

A dude in a full camo tent snored so loud all night, next door! (Although it may have been hard to see him, we could hear him, har har.) That didn’t seem to keep us from sleep though. We started off with more pancakes and got on our way. The hills this morning were quite steep! A few we kicked the kids off to walk for.

We stumbled upon a nice little park with a well trimmed field of wildflowers. We stopped there for snack and to take a little break. From there it wasn’t too much farther to the Deception Pass bridge. What a view!! We had to hold on with both hands so we didn’t fall off, so I’m sorry we don’t have a picture for you. ;).

After the bridge we entered the state park and went down and up and down and up … And eventually found the hiker/biker sites. Of course A and H chose the farthest one, but I can’t blame them since it was also the prettiest! Very private/quiet and not too far from the camp store and espresso(!) trailer. By the way, that store has all the camp essentials one could want, I was very impressed!

We made egg burritos for lunch and went down to the beach. There were some waves here, I think because the currents were swift in the area through the pass. We saw stones of nearly every color on the beach. Then, A and H went to the other side of the parking lot to play in the mud at Cranberry Lake. We had a quiet evening.

We tried getting an earlier start this morning because we were planning to visit with some of my (Jason’s) family in the afternoon. Breakfast was peanut butter on tortillas with chocolate chips, instead of chocolate chip pancakes. Less dishes to clean! We did get out of camp about an hour faster.

Once on the road we alternated between a brutal sidewind and a glorious tailwind. We were traveling along the farms in the flood plain along the bay. Daisy was kind enough to lead and block some wind for H and I, since I am as tall as a sail no matter what. We enjoyed seeing the different colors of wildflowers along the road. Then we turned into the highway for a short section that took us over Twin Bridges. Noisy, but there is a separate pedestrian path on the bridge.

After the bridge we were back on quiet roads and chugging along enjoying the scenery. This area is one of the largest great blue heron nesting areas, but we didn’t see any today. (Last year a group of about twenty flew over our campsite in the morning.) We saw plenty of bald eagles and other birds though!

We stopped at our favorite coffee shop in the area for special treats and a break to draw/journal. (Hey, it might be the only coffee shop in the area, but it is good!) Then just around the corner is an amazing bike path that is an old railway bridge across the bay. We passed through during low tide today, and can see how shallow the water usually is! All that was left was the channel in the middle. Luckily, we still got to see a seal.

We continued the ride along the path into town, stopped for groceries/lunch, and then finished the ride out of town to Washington Park. It is west of town on the tip of land past the ferry that will later take us to the San Juans. That is where we turned off last year, but this year we will continue further south tomorrow.

In the afternoon we visited with family! Aunt Cathy came to the campsite to chat, and then we went over to Julie and Bill’s for dinner. We missed the weekend festivities, but got to visit with a few additional relatives and partake in the leftovers, which they had catered themselves! Yum!! (It goes without saying that it was better than our camp meal would have been.) We also enjoyed (especially the kids) the boat tour. A and H both took turns sitting in the captain’s seat and turning the rudder. It was wonderful to see everyone!