Friday 7am – We've woken up this morning to our throttling 17 hog-riding buddies and don't know where we are. Or at least can't explain it. South Bend, Washington is the home of the fine Chen's motel/diner, Chesters burger joint, and a third restaurant that got shut down when the cook ended up sick.
Wednesday, we rolled off the ferry in Port Angeles, now in the US, and crossed Olympic National Park, lucid glacial mountains, rolling valleys, and scorching heat to the coast, when it all got socked in. We rode to the Kalaloch Lodge, right on the coast of the Park and pretty much the only accom around. Thankfully we booked that last room on Monday. Jesse cooked an inventive and filling spaghetti dinner, and we passed out.
Yesterday, we left the coast (still not many coastal roads in WA's mostly undeveloped coastline) to another big glacial Lake Quinault, then back to the coast on very quiet roads to very quiet beach towns. Our only choice for lunch was the locally recommended Teriyaki joint in the gas station. Not the best meal for the road. Pulled into South Bend after 198 kms, and took the last room in town at Chen's, to the 17 hog-riding, now Bud-drinking-in-the-parking-lot's pleas to 'just keep going, you don't want to stay here!' Of course we did. Real America.
Now on to Oregon. Viva Vic!
Hi guys:
Sounds like all is going according to plan – lots of riding, marginal food (except for Jesse’s spaghetti) and opportunities galore to meet real Americans. We hope the weather has been good in WA, although you mentioned the socked-in thing so we are curious. Are you keeping up, Steph?
Phil and Joanne
PS Just checked out your 10-4 on Google Maps. Looks like you’ll have some awesome coastal riding after you leave South Bend.
Very impressive guys – sounds amazing! Don’t forget you have to save ‘the treasure’ some energy for her mini hike after.
Thinks Hebs is going to try to call you tonight Steph as we’re both uncertain what your final plan is for pre-Wanda Fuka and we need to book cars, ferries,people etc…