The Game is Afoot

We completed our drive across the country. Before arriving in Vancouver where Jay will begin his ride down the West Coast, we stopped in Bend, OR to visit the last Blockbuster on Earth (really, in the whole universe!), then on to Eugene, OR to visit Jay’s cousin Max and his wife Valerie. Next, we headed north to Anacortes, WA for dinner with Bryn and his wife Shelley. Jay and Bryn met 45 years ago when they both attended university in Malaysia.

We signed up for a bus tour for Vancouver. It was a great way to see the highlights of the city (Stanley Park, Granville Island, Chinatown, etc.) and not worry about parking! One highlight was lunch at the Sandbar Restaurant. Jay ordered a gin & tonic and it was purple! We learned Empress Gin is made in British Columbia from blossoms that make the gin purple. We found a liquor store and bought a bottle. Not sure any of it will make it back to Atlanta.

Vancouver, BC to Ferndale, WA

On Thursday, July 27 Jay started the ride in Hadden Park in downtown Vancouver. The city streets had very little traffic and in some places the bike lanes or sections of roadway are closed to vehicles. There were a few sections of real city biking, but nothing too bad.

Jay’s crossing of the Port Mann Bridge was accomplished by a protected bike / pedestrian walkway. Unfortunately, once he reached the bike path entrance for the Alex Fraser Bridge, a big “Access Closed” sign appeared. Jay was on an island and the bridge path was the only way off the island for a cyclist.

A call was made and Helen came to the rescue. Jay was on his way again. Today’s ride included a crossing of the Canadian – US border. Jay had learned earlier from another cyclist’s blog that the crossing guards want bike riders to move to the head of the line. With volumes of cars, trucks, and buses crossing the border, getting a lone cyclist out of the mayhem is a good policy.

Helen, on the other hand, ended up spending over 90 minutes in line with other motorists waiting to cross the border. She did get a good photo of the Peace Arch that signifies Canadian-American friendship. The only thing she had to declare was the bottle of Empress Gin 😊.

Jay’s ride continued without further incident. We stayed at a Super 8 hotel in Ferndale that had secured underground parking. A first for us.

Ferndale, WA to Anacortes, WA

The next day, Helen drove and Jay rode the scenic Chuckanut Highway. The road, once part of the Pacific Coast Highway, has it share of climbs, scenic views, and downhills. After passing through Bellingham, Jay had a lovely ride along Birch Bay.

We stayed at the Cap Sante Inn that has a catchy tagline “Best Value and More Fun.” Why would anyone stay elsewhere?

Anacortes, WA to Port Townsend, WA

The next day, Jay had a short 35-mile ride from Anacortes to Townsend, WA. This ride had its scenic elements, but one common characteristic of riding in this part of the country is the hills. Jay has put 145 miles on this 1,800 ride down the West Coast into the books.

One of the reasons we came to Port Townsend was to attend a Saturday night potluck dinner with a group of UUs called the Tomato Soup Group (TSG). Jay was the guest speaker and made a presentation that covered long distance bike riding, his book Used to be UU and his take on the state of affairs within the Unitarian Universalist Association.

With lots of correspondence before arriving, we were offered home hospitality by Doug and Pat Rodgers, members of the Quimby UU Fellowship and the TSG, and a lovely tour of downtown Port Townsend after the dinner by Joyce, Nils and Ron. Ron and his wife Judy invited us to attend a BBQ at their home on Sunday afternoon and we had the opportunity to socialize once again with a wonderful group of UUs.

Max and Valerie in Eugene, OR

Jay and Helen Last Blockbuster in the Universe

Crossing the Canada - US Border

Best Value and Most Fun, Anacortes, WA

Bryn and Shelley

Helen at Deception Point, WA

Open Road Cycling

Caution for all on the Road

Driving in Canada

Coastal Warning