Hospitality in the Hills

Despite our hiatus from the blog, we are safe in sound in Raymond, WA, about 60 north of the Washington/Oregon border.
After surviving Monday evenings' generous serving of gale force winds, dark winding roads, and stinging rain, we settled into Larrabee state park, scoring not only a shelter for the evening, but peeling out early enough to avoid the entrance fee (not that we (cough) um, condone that sort of stuff.
Setting out the next morning on a beautiful ride along Chuckanut drive, we quickly found our energy drained fighting whipping headwinds as we passed through the fields and hills near Anacortes, WA. After crossing the tretchorous deception pass which is probably about 600 feet off the water, we hid from low flying fighter jets and ate/entertained ourselves with roadside apples before jumping ship (ferry) for Port Townsend. The funniest Grandma you'll ever meet told us how the only thing less reliable than the ferry was her grandson as well as a good place to grab some pizza. With steaming slices in hand, 4 educated men sat around a table, sober, and watched the presidential debate. Needless to say, this did not heed the attention of a single women in the town. With the options for camping for the night being either the city park with the bums, or a desolate, closed-f0r-the-season park a few miles down the road, we chose option B. After riding a mile down a desolate road, and turning off all lights and walking into the Fort Townsend State Park, we were interest to find that 5 minutes after we arrived, a random park ranger decided that a Tuesday night in October at 10pm was a great time to check a campground with a spotlight for non-paying campers. Needless to say, he did not shackle us and "encouraged" us to pay the fee. We're convinced he was tipped off by the local pizza guy, but we're not the type of guys to point fingers.
Wednesday, after waking up, we smartly determined that following maps was for Sallys and headed off the itinerary toward Potlatch. Heading deep into the forests, we stopped for a lunch break in a little log cabin style cafe, the entertaining waitress delayed us about two hours before heading on the not so mountainous route along the coast just on the edge of the Olympic National Park. After a quick stop to test out rock throwing aim at side street fender and grabbing some grub at a local mini mart we headed to our Potlatch campsite in near total darkness of a starless night. Brewing our Ramen, Kidney Bean and Macaroni concoctions we bedded early for a long next days ride.
Our most recent adventures took us on an almost 80 mile ride cutting toward the coast and through acres of clear cutting. Near dog attacks, rushing logging trucks, and patches of rain clouds were no deterrent to our final destinition of Raymond. As the sun was setting the police, fireman and even librarians offered no help for a place to camp, we turned to Jon Q Public to hear our plee, one offer after another poured in but we went with the best, dinner consisting of Elk Gravy, Potatos and Apple Sauce; warm showers and yes internet, just two miles away; plus who can resist friendly company after a long hard day on the road. Thanks Gordon and Jenine Saul for your great hospitality, excellent food and letting four, not so fresh smelling boys, take over the house for an evening.

Lessons in Aerodynamics

The Canadian Conundrum

We're in Canadia, the Couve to be exact. It's a dark and rainy night, 4 boys holed up in a room pouring over racks, maps, lights, cleats, socks and safety triangles. Stomachs full of bangers, mash, beer and anticipation. Considering that 4 men bought into the idea of forming a pelaton down the west coast via emails and phone calls less than 2 weeks ago to the date, it is nothing less than remarkable, yet conceivable, that they have all spawned from the same travel company, willing to throw convention to the wind and 2 wheels under their tails, all for the sake of one of many incredible adventures yet to be written.

This blog begins tonight as a way for us to keep you posted, posted on the leg shavings, daily dares/scavenger hunt challenges, animal-style slathered food eating contests and all of the shenanigans yet to come. We invite any and all recommendations for challenges/dares as the material between 4 guys, although funny, can sometimes (surprisingly) become narrow. These shenanigans could not have been made possible, or continue to be possibilities if not for our Canadian contingent... Aimee, Andrew, Beth, Dan, Lindsey, Kurt and Wendy. Sit back and enjoy the ride from the comfort of your computer chairs as we freeze, sweat, rash and party, on our migration South toward warmer climates and burritos.

We'll keep you posted on our location along the route so come out and join the ride. No distance is too short and even the smallest amount of company and conversation goes a long way on the hard road. So sit back, grab some suds, check and sign out of your email/facebook accounts, write on your own blogs, reheat some leftovers, text your ex, and settle in for debauchery and some "deep thoughts" from the road.

Signing off with a round of scotch,

Palin's Roving Boy Band