August 10 (Vancouver, Stanley Park, Seawall, Granville Island, 18.45mi/29.69km) - Cameron was a very interesting young man. The previous year he spent 3 months cycling across Canada, crossing all ten provinces. He was working on a book of his adventures and had finally received the finished product. That evening he scoped out a spot on the seawall and was going to sell some. He asked me if I would join him. I gladly accepted. But before, I wanted to explore the city by bike...at least a section of it...
In the morning I woke up and sort of planned some of my day out. After showering, I took my bike down to the street and rode towards Stanley Park. Stanley Park is a cyclist's paradise. The seawall circled the park and there were several upon several bicyclists out...but most of them were damn tourists utilizing Vancouver's ride share program. I cycled all the way around the Granville Island and just enjoyed myself without all my baggage on my bike. What I did know though was I had to get some sushi in the city. Vancouver was known for it's sushi. There were sushi places everywhere. Luckily Cameron lived near some of the restaurant strips. I found a sushi joint and enjoyed myself!
Like I said, that evening I joined Cameron on the seawall and helped him set up his little booth to sell his books. I met some of his friends who quickly bought his book. I had told him I would love to put together a book myself of my adventures and he told me to go for it. All I have to do is start! In his apartment, he has an "Idea Board" where anyone who enters his place can add something they want to do or accomplish, whether personal or professional or travel...I love that idea. I might adopt that myself...I bought his book and he wrote a nice note to me in the front cover!
August 11 (Vancouver to Bellingham, Washington, 67.82mi/109.14km) - In the morning I said goodbye to Cameron and left early because I had a long day to back track to Langley before I entered the States...
Before I crossed the border I had to eat one last time at Tim Hortons. I got a couple sandwiches and an iced cap! Sooo good! I sure am going to miss this Canadian staple! I cycled through Langley City and finally made the turnoff in Aldergrove back to Washington on 539. I could've entered Washington on a more direct route, but I couldn't enter the states without a stop at Ed Aileen's Dairy in Lynden. When I arrived stateside and stopped at the dairy, it was overcast and actually a bit chilly. I had my windbreaker on when I ordered the super large ice cream cone...and of course I got the swirl! It was probably a blessing in disguise that it was a cloudy day so the ice cream didn't melt as fast. It tasted as good as ever...
After my ice cream pit stop, I continued south on back roads and by country farms...on towards Bellingham, another favorite town of mine...I stayed at the house of Thomas and Laural, a very interesting couple who provided me with a warm shower and bed. Over dinner I outlined my journey to them and told of my adventures in the country to the north. As I am now in the Evergreen State, things have started to look familiar...as I continue riding towards home. I love heading out on adventures in far away lands, but it is always a pleasant surprise coming home again. I have a few more days until I am truly home. In a way, I don't want this adventure to end. I mean, who would right? When one adventure ends, another begins...and another enters the planning stage...After a long day cycling from Vancouver to Bellingham, I had to rest up before I cycle through the scenic Whidbey Isalnd!
August 12 (Bellingham to Coupeville, 58.45mi/94.06km) - Today I crossed 19,000 miles on my bike as I crossed over into Whidbey Island. My destination for the day was to be Coupeville, half way down the island. Earlier, my Oak Harbor prospective hosts fell through so I made for the historic town of Coupeville, the second oldest town in Washington, or so I was told.
Deception Pass was beautiful! There were a lot of tourists there and it was difficult to navigate the narrow bridge with my fully-loaded bicycle. Trying to bypass the tourists who didn't have a single courteous bone in their bodies was something else. But alas, the views of the water and hills were spectacular.
Late in the afternoon, as I entered Coupeville, the town was closing down one of the state's largest vendor fairs. Practically the whole town was involved. All the streets were cluttered with people. Luckily I was there at the close. Patrick gave me directions to his place. He lives close to the water and close to where the action was. I walked my bike through the crowds until I saw Patrick waving towards me. Patrick is a middle-aged man who has been on countless tours himself, some even in Canada. It sounds like he's been everywhere. A few years ago he had some surgery on his head. He was in an accident and really almost died. He was so blessed to pull through but decided to get back on his bike and continue his adventures. He's been all over the state and Canada and Alaska. He showed me a slideshow of his trip to Alaska and gave me a thumb drive with it on it. He was such a nice fellow and we swapped tales of our respective bicycle adventures. He had a conglomeration of stuff to eat for dinner and as we ate he poured into me his knowledge and advice when it came to bikes and touring. He was such a gem. I am blessed to have found him and make him my last warm showers host of my trip!
August 13 (Coupeville to Edmonds, 43.30mi/69.68km) - This morning, Pat decided to take me out on a more scenic detour than the main stretch. He rode his bike in front of me and I had a hard time keeping up! But it was a blessing indeed! He guided me for maybe ten miles until turning off and heading out on his own ride back home. He pointed me in the direction to go and away I went. I navigated the long stretch of South Whidbey Island, through country pastures and waterfronts and small towns until I came down to Clinton, where I hopped onto the small ferry to Mukilteo. I learned that it was free for me heading east. The other way I guess cost which was weird to me.
I hopped off the ferry and entered the congestion of the flow of the city. I followed the signs south. It was about fourteen miles to Edmonds, where my sister's family lives. All the while I was excited because I got to see family at the end of the day! After being on the road for 50 days, it would be very pleasant and a relief to see some friendly faces.
As I pulled into my sister's driveway, I saw two little girls' heads poke out of the doorway, "Uncle Penn!!!" My sister warned them to not get too close because of the stench. Oh come on, I don't smell that bad...well perhaps I'm just used to it I suppose... Regardless, they pinched their noses, which made for some funny photo ops! I pulled my bike around back and after a shower and some water, I told my family of my journeys and my nieces were eager to beat me at some games. It was good to finally be home...well, this basically feels like home. I don't have much riding to do. The day after tomorrow I'm taking the train home. I've already cycled the stretch between Edmonds and Salem 2 years prior. After I got some food in me, it was time for bed...zzzzzzzzz.
August 14 (Edmonds, 00.00mi/00.00km) - Today was a well-deserved rest day. It was filled with games and walks and love! I also did laundry. My brother-in-law was gracious enough to loan me some shorts and a shirt while I cleaned all of my clothes. It was nice to wear something else haha.
I love adventures. I really do. All sorts. I love these bicycle trips and hope I continue them long into the future. The new places to visit, the spectacular views, the people and faces of everyone you meet. The stories to write and tell and hear... But there is always something amazing about coming home to a family who loves you. My girlfriend Elyse and I have only been dating 4 months when I left. Now, we are approaching our 6 month dating anniversary. I am so excited I get to see her tomorrow as she will be there at the train station! Another journey is reaching it's end, but other journeys, including the journey of life are about to begin...one more sleep until I sleep in my own bed once again...
August 15 (Edmonds to Portland via Amtrak/Portland to Salem via Bus, 00.00mi/00.00km) - My sister and the girls drove me to Edmonds Station where I unloaded my bike and all my gear, checked in and waited. I had to condense my packs as best I could so it could look smaller than it really was haha. I've become a master packer from all these treks I've been on. I bid my sister and nieces farewell and waited in the station for the train to arrive.
As exhausted as I was, I slept for a big chunk of the train ride. I also journaled and read some. Let me tell you, it was so good to be off my bike for a while. My sore bum and legs thanked me. I do love trains though. Seeing the water and country pass before me through the windows...there's something about it that's so peaceful. God has been so good to me. When the train arrived in Portland, I was transferred to a bus which would take me to Salem. I was almost home. I could smell it. So close.
As the bus pulled into the Salem Station, I was peaking out the window and sure enough I spotted my Dad and my girlfriend Elyse who, six months later I would ask to be my wife. My Dad was happy to see me but Elyse was ecstatic. I said hello to them but was worried about my bike and quickly got my bike out of the bus and my gear so it wouldn't take off. You know how it is haha. I gave Elyse a big hug as she welcomed me home with a big WELCOME HOME sign and balloon. My Dad took my bike and gear and loaded it in his car as I reacquainted myself with Elyse, who very graciously told me to go on this trip during our 2nd date. I love her! I really do. In so many ways! After all, the adventure for this summer isn't a 50-day bike trip, but a wedding that will lead to a marriage that will last a lifetime!
Elyse drove me to Dairy Queen which has become a tradition of mine. At the end of each of my trips, I would eat a big DQ blizzard! I reached in my bag and took out 2 sour gummy worms that I saved from the huge bag that Elyse had sent with me. These 2 gummy worms traveled the entirety of the 2300 miles with me. I took them out and we each ate one as a topping to our blizzards.
I'm home. What an adventure it was. Thank you all for making this possible. Thank you for your prayers and thank you for hosting me and giving me a peach. Thank you God for being such a good, gracious God and for loving me and providing such a big world to explore. Who knows, maybe my next big adventure, I'll have someone with me... until then, peace be the journey folks and keep on keeping on.
Exploration is the name of the game; Find your own adventures...
Total Trip Mileage: 2,328.30 miles (3,748.64 km)
Warm Showers Hosts: 19 (21 nights, 2 peoples hosted me twice)
Couchsurfing Hosts: 1 (2 nights)
...Twenty Years in the Making...
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