May 2007

Off the beaten path. That’s how we are describing the milk run of backroads that are leading us through the Olympic Peninsula in Washington back to the coast. No complaints here though. We are blessed with warm weather, no rain and beautiful back woods and country roads that so far, have not been filled with too many out of control hills.

We have been riding along the coasts of the Puget Sound enjoying ocean vistas a plenty. There has been no shortage of rural settings and cottage country homes to admire.

We picked up Bryan on Day 3 after a long hot day of riding. We camped on the side of Hood Canal at Belfair State Park (we love state parks!!!) and woke up to the preparations for a big environmental day called Environmental Explorations for many local seventh-grade students. One very keen local Public water safety guy gave us the lowdown on the plight of the Hood Canal. This large canal that looks like any wide river has coastal wetlands, tidal creatures (oysters, crabs, clams) and raptors that are less common than in past times. It has suffered the consequences of years of abuse and there is now a comeback of people wanting to clean it up and curb the development (mainly residential now) that continues to threaten it.

So how are we feeling in these early days?? Really well for the most part, although there are some sore muscles. It is always nice to eat a yummy meal at the end of the day and hang out. The nights are getting warm so our warm winter sleeping bags seem a little silly at this point. Welcome to the land of rapidly changing temperatures. Onwards to the coast!

The BALLE On! Tour is an organized tour of individuals cycling from Vancouver, BC to San Francisco, CA to attend the 2007 BALLE conference in Berkeley on May 31. We are cycling along the Pacific Coast Highway stopping at BALLE networks along the way.

BALLE On! began yesterday on May 13th from Richmond, BC with Derek, Lisa and Laura. It started with a bit of an exploration through farming roads with a quest to meet the car at the border. We thought it might make sense to at least be in the vicinity together so our cycling story seemed legit. And it worked, they thought it was too weird to ask many questions and let us through. And thus begins our long journey to San Francisco/Berkley, CA.

We camped in a gorgeous State Park south of Bellingham (Larabee). Nice park but bloody cold.

The next day Lisa and Laura took off and Derek went back to Bellingham to get food for dinner and to meet with Ritama, one of the two graphic designers for the BALLE On! branding.

Here, Lisa and Derek are sitting at the campsite on Whidbey Island planning the next day's route and schedule.

Please stay tuned as the tour progresses!