Vancouver Island and Seattle
It's 10 P.M., it's dark and I'm a long way from the ferry at Sydney. What to do, what to do... I'm in that riding mode and want to be at the San Juan Island National Park when it opens. Since I had a cabin on the ferry I'm rested, but it's dark and there are bound to be some of those four legged roadblocks on the highway. It's a slow go south and I'm grateful for the PIAAs lighting my way. The only time I see any of the scenery is when lightening flashes across the sky to the south. I appreciate the additional light, but could live without getting wet again. This is lumber country and Campbell River is one large lumber/paper mill. Apparently they offer tours, but probably not at 2 A. M.
| Sydney is cold and the wind is blowing hard. At the ferry ramp I'm shocked to see that the ferry doesn't leave until 12:20 P.M. It's now 5:30 A.M. Great planning Greg. I ride down to Victoria to see if the ferries down there are any better. Victoria is a flat-out beautiful town. The area around the harbor is very scenic. For the best view, take the bridge over to West Victoria. I laughingly say "best" because there are many spectacular views. I could easily live here. |
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The ferry to Port Angeles and Olympic National Park has just left and the other ferries won't save me any time so I cruise around the city some more, then head back to Sydney. In Sydney I get film developed, visit the local Excelsior dealer and have a very pleasant conversation with a local constable. Why are they so approachable up here and less so back home?
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Finally, it's time to take the ferry and they don't take credit cards! Make sure that you have $20 U.S. in cash or traveler's checks. This is part of the Washington Ferry System. As I'm waiting to load, three more riders on R1100RTs show up. This is an interesting group who came up from Lalaland. One guy is a dentist who's enjoying his disability insurance. The second guy is an arbitrator and the third guy is an actor. He does a lot of voice-over work. The RTs are an immediate bond and they have great stories that I enjoy immensely. |
| At the San Juan Island I get the stamp and head out. This stamp collecting business is becoming less and less enjoyable, but I continue on. The ferry docks at Anacortes, WA and I'm immediately stuck in traffic. Man, Manhattan Island had less traffic when I was on it. I think it must be the height of tourist season, but all the license plates are from Washington. |  |
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There's another stamp down the center of Whidbey Island so I crawl that way. The thought of walking comes to mind since I could probably make better time. Traffic is so heavy in both directions that I'm unable to pass anyone. As I cross the Deception Pass Bridge I take in the great view. Pulling over would probably mean getting run over so I pick the lesser of two evils and continue to play the bumper-to-bumper game. Getting on a bumper car ride as a youth was the height of the amusement park experience. Why isn't it any fun now? Oh, I'm really trying not to get hit in this game. |
After 20 miles I see a car pulled over and a guy is taking pictures of a field. This merits investigation. In the field are two huge bald eagles just walking around. Finally, I see a couple up close. When they take flight their wingspan is impressive and they lift off effortlessly. They've got the right idea. At the merest thought they are airborne while I'm tied to the asphalt and the guy's bumper ahead of me. |
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Eventually, I get to Coupeville, but can't locate the stamp. The local town visitor's center is a small, one room, self-serve affair. Next door a kindly lady points me in the right direction. The stamp is at the local museum. With the stamp in hand I relish the chance at getting back in traffic again. Yippee! I'll bet the eagles are long gone by now. Was that a grin I saw as they took off earlier? That kind of smirk will make a species extinct.
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The only thing that keeps me going is the thought that Hwy. 20 has got to be better once I get east of I-5. Silly me, it's just as bad and I begin to question my whole existence. I'm heading to the Northern Cascades Visitor's Center and just make it before they close. At the visitor's center I look down and see three stamps: Cascades, Chelan and Russell. I turn around and walk back to the bike without stamping my passport. I'M FREE! COLD TURKEY! For the first time in several years I feel like I'm on vacation. Hoorah! |
It isn't possible to emphasis this enough. I'm having a near-religious experience, Unstamped-again motorcycling. With a huge smile on my face I head to Seattle and get a motel for the night.
With no more pressure I wake up late and wander around Seattle. The weather is perfect and it's hard to believe that they get such huge amounts of rain. Yep, there's the Space Needle. Frazier's apartment must be nearby.
| Why did this city build a new stadium? The dome still looks good while the new stadium just looks weird. It's got a retractable roof that dominates the structure. Allegedly, the team owner agreed to foot the bill for any cost overruns. When that amount started to reach the 100 million mark the story changed and now John Q. is buying a few less beers and a few more pounds of concrete. |  |