The Olympic Peninsula

We tried to go to Victoria BC this Sunday. BC as in British Columbia, as in Canada. Knowing how well we always prepare for these outings, I diligently made a list of all necessary items, checked the ferry sailing times and planned out carefully when we had to leave, including time to make lunch.

We had to get up at 5am to leave at 5.50 to make the 8am ferry from Port Angeles, WA. So bleary eyed and Tony not feeling too good, we were on target. We were feeling pretty good. The drive there was uninspiring and foggy. But the ferry was drawing near. 1 hour and 55 minutes into the 2 hour journey, just at the sign for Port Angeles, the realization dawns. 'Passports!' They made it on to the list, but not in to the bags. Canada is a different country. You need ID.

What a sorry state of affairs. It took an early morning donut shop and coffee to cheer us up. Tony made friends with the locals too.



Then we had to decide what to do. We'd come all this way, and there really wasn't anything much behind us. And we had already been up Hurricane Ridge, and we were wearing 'town' clothes, not hiking clothes, and Tony was feeling ill.

Se we decided to drive round the whole of the Olympic Peninsula on Route 101. May I offer this piece of counsel: If you are thinking about doing this 'just for the drive', abort now. The road is tree lined and apart from 2 brief spots, you can't really see anything. It is winding and fun, but stuck behind holiday trailers going at 35mph because they are American and can't do anything that's not straight, is not fun.

If, however, you seek beauty that you have to find, I highly recommend it for off the main road there are many natural wonders hidden away. Next time, we're taking a couple of days and a tent, and hiking boots.



We stopped in Beaver to stretch our legs.

Then we headed out to LaPush. All we knew of this area is that it is a surf spot. We have since discovered that it is Ground Zero for Twilight fans.

On this grim July day, there were people camping on the beach because that's what they do in Twilight.


Sadly, the fog was still with us when we arrived, so we didn't get to appreciate the full beauty of the area. Once our teeth stopped chattering we did start to feel its charm though. Perhaps a place to return to when a) there's sun b) there's no Twilight

That's Tony on the tree.

It was good to see the Indian reservation making the best of the invasion. This was just one of around 20 stalls people had set up out of their trailers selling Twilight...well...crap basically.



We continued on to Forks, which again, was Twilight central. The grocery store was selling Tshirts with 'Forks' on them for $25. The cafe's had changed their names to Twilight... and I even saw a firewood stand that was 'Twilight Firewood'. I guess you can't blame the old town for cashing in on some long-needed visitors. At the visitor center there was a camera crew making a documentary about Twilight fandom. They had huge cardboard cutouts of the actors. Pity they didn't have more maps.


They are my vampire teeth, if you're wondering.

With the day not getting much better, we thought perhaps a trip to the Hoh Rainforest would straighten us out.


It was 3 o'clock by this time, and we still had a LONG way to go before we got back to Tacoma. We started off on a route march of the 2 mile loop you can do. Thankfully, we came upon a ranger tour and decided to stop and listen. It was fascinating.



We learned more about the forest than we ever thought possible. This is a good guide. Below is the Hall of the Mosses. Did you know it takes 50 years for moss to establish itself on a tree? Think about that next time you lean against one. Two hours later we headed on our way again.


The road continued on, long, grey, open and tree lined. The western side of the loop is marginally more scenic, but only just. As you turn towards Lake Quinault though, your breath is taken away. We pulled in to the lodge and cafe to get some food. At 8pm on a Sunday you can't really grumble at what you get.


The last slog back to Tacoma via Aberdeen saw us home at 10pm. I was a little sad that the first time I did that ride to Aberdeen with Kimberley, I was blown away by the trees and the green. This time they were just taunting me with their branches.

Don't get me wrong, we had fun. We'll just do it different next time.

For more pictures click here.

Bits and bobs

We've been up to lots of other bits and bobs in the last month or so. Summer time is socializing time. Here are some more pictures for you:

Zoobilee

Summer pictures in Tacoma

Some more garden pictures - the artichokes and sunflowers have been invaded by black flies this week.

A beautiful sunset over the Sound

Mountain to Sound relay race

Ride Around Vashon Island

After a good long time of trying to get me back on a bike, Tony was delighted when, of my own volition, I decided to ride to work. And then two days later ride around Vashon Island.

I'm still not sure what possessed me, but I'm glad I did it and grateful that Tony could adjust my seat for me!

The ride to work is about 9 miles and goes over the Tacoma Narrows bridge, with a view of the Olympic Mountains. It's pretty spectacular. And hilly in both directions. I did it in 37 minutes on the way back.

Two days later, after work, we rode to Point Defiance to take the ferry to Vashon Island - the island we can see from our window. The purpose of the trip was to go and get gluten-free burger and fries at a little hut right in the middle of the island, and then ride home again.


We got the 6.30 ferry over and rode around the south east side. The ride starts with a lovely hill as soon as you get off the boat. Great way to get the blood flowing. The roads then continue to roll around the coast, up and down the curves of the island's luscious lands.

The best bit was feeling the air distinctly hot and then cold as the wind blew in off the water.

After a couple of saddle adjustments and a little whining, we made it to the burger stand! It was good burger. And chocolate milkshake. And fries.


All that food makes the legs a little heavier for the road home. This time we rode to the south west in the more open, less hilly pastoral lands. We had a great descent that we were both thoroughly enjoying, until we realized we were going the wrong way and had to ride back up again.

The 10pm ferry took us back at dusk and we made our way home in the dark.

Fourth of July 2010

Ah time flies when you're having fun. Is it really that time already? After more than a year on this side of the pond, the idea of the Fourth of July is sad to say, not nearly as exciting as it was this time last year, eagerly waiting to see what all the fuss was about. In addition to the weary eyes of experience, the weather this year has not been nearly so kind as last. Fourth of July 2009 we had to hide inside because it was too hot. This year...well, you'll see.

I started the weekend off with a cook off, knowing that socializing would be a large part of the holiday and that a pot luck would be inevitable, and also that if I made it all now, I wouldn't have to cook all weekend. It worked well.


Eight different dishes, using maybe 10 different ingredients? And a whole hunk of garlic.

Saturday was marked by the start of the Tour de France. Everyone was hyped up for it thanks to some excellent movies and an exciting line up. The Hub opened early so that we could all cram in to watch it live.

Tony has pink knee warmers on too.

Sunday morning started grey and early. The planes were out practicing for their show later on in the day. I was treated to a private window view of the action. It was fascinating for a good 20 minutes, then the bone shaking noise became a little fatiguing.


Around 12 we decided it was time to go down to the Freedom Fair. By this time last year, the streets near our apartment were filled with incomers' cars. This year not a single one. The weather was putting lots of people off. Down at the water front it was busy, but not crazy. It was mainly people from the nearby area rather than the hoards of extras we saw last year. You can tell where people are from depending on the car the drive, the shoes they wear and the size of their jewelery.

Ford had some display vehicles.


Perhaps a little excessive for Ruston Way?

The Skid Kings Vintage Bicycle club were out in all their finery, as were the vintage car owners.



After a decidedly muted walk all along the waterfront, the highlight of which was getting to the honey buckets at the end and finding no hand wash left and having to walk all the way back down with poopy hands, we decided to go home and have a little snooze (and wash our hands).

Then it was of to Philip and Annie's house. We let them keep their flag this year. I mentioned it was colder than last year...



Then on to Philip and Brooke's place to watch the fireworks on the water. We felt like film stars as we walked down their driveway with all the people who couldn't make it to the water sitting on their wall to watch (they have a plum spot on the hill).

This was the 'Grand Finale'.


It was an austerity display year.