Cape Flattery

This was to be a challenging day for both Bill and Kathy. We have been staying at the Port Angeles Inn, situated on a hill overlooking the harbor and ferry dock (beautiful view of both harbor and snow-capped mountains of the Olympic Peninsula behind to the South). It was an hour and three-quarter drive to reach Cape Flattery, which is the Northwest-most point of the contiguous United States, and the point from which the "Big Ride" begins (for Bill).

We got all set for this photo with the Pacific in the background, and Kathy discovered her battery-gobbling camera, even though turned "off", had drained the batteries. This is very remote country--we had not seen a vehicle for about a half-hour or so. At that moment, a pick up with two young men in it happened by. Kathy asked them if they would let her use, just for the photo, a couple of AA batteries. They searched their vehicle and came up with the batteries. Kathy took the photo, but couldn't return the batteries--the men had driven off.

The ride from Cape Flattery to Port Angeles was approximately 77 miles (5 hrs.+15 min.), much of which was along the southern mouth of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and dense, well rain-supplied forest. The terrain was a nice regular mix of uphill, downhill, and flat. The only scary part was the lumber trucks. As usual when the ride was over, Bill and his bottom were feeling thoroughly done for the day.

Meanwhile, after dropping Bill off and returning to Port Angeles, Kathy had planned an afternoon of relaxation. Instead, the Audi dealer called and the parts for the air conditioning had arrived in Seattle. To get the repair under way, she drove to Seattle, dropped off the car, picked up a rental, and drove back to Port Angeles. Since this involved a ferry each way and hellish Seattle traffic, this was a six hour round trip.

Today's ride for Bill will be shorter and go to the edge of Puget Sound. We'll take a rest day tomorrow and pick up the car Thursday. Thursday evening we join Seattle Big Ride hosts Steve and Pollie McCloskey. Pollie is ride leader, and Steve is a rider. Friday morning starts crew orientation and installation of a ham radio in the (by-then) air conditioned car.

It was terrific seeing Eileen and Bob Beban in Eugene. They were very considerate of our timetable for getting to Port Angeles and took us to a terrific breakfast at the Eugene Country Club. We watched just enough of the U.S. Open to see Tiger in the lead.