Day 1

Day’s distance (actual): 205 miles

Temperatures ranged from mid 50s to low 60s. Winds were present and especially noticeable between Olympia and Astoria. Clouds rolled across the skies and occasionally dumped a few drops on me.

I shoved off at 9am stopping on the way at a friends house in Olympia. I thought I’d be there about 10:30 but there was a closure of all southbound lanes in Tacoma that forced me and all the other southbound cars to take surface streets around. I followed two ladies in an SUV that had stopped to tell me about the closure. Rescued before I could even begin to figure out how to proceed. I think the Gods of Garmin were looking out for me. 🙂

The clouds began clearing in the afternoon and the day turned out spectacular. With the earlier winds, I was wondering what crossing the bridge to Astoria would be like. In short, it was another non-event.

I arrived at the Holiday Inn Express right at 4pm to check in. The room wasn’t ready yet so I thought I’d check out a new Mexican restaurant a few blocks away, Taqueria El Tarasco. It was recommended.

I tried the taco lengua and a burrito al pastor. Both were delicious. It was my introduction to lengua, or beef toungue. It was very tender. Travel helps expand one’s thinking, eh? 🙂

Sunset was predictably gorgeous.

Day 2

Day’s distance: 230 miles (actual)

Total trip distance: 435 miles

I woke up to sunshine and temperatures in the 60s. A beautiful spring day in Seaside.

My return route takes me back up the coast, this time detouring off Hwy 101 twice. First, just after getting back into Washington, I turn east on Hwy 401 to ride along the Columbia River and then north on Hwy 4 through Long Beach. Then a second detour in Raymond where I would take Hwy 105 once again out to the coast where I would stop in Westport for lunch.

Westport has a small Coast Guard station near the lighthouse. This August will be the 236th year of service for the US Coast Guard, protecting sailors and others at sea. A big thanks to you all for your service!

According to the Westport South Beach Historical Society, at 107 feet tall, the Grays Harbor Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in Washington State. Considered by its architect, Carl Leick, to be his masterpiece, the Grays Harbor Lighthouse is the pride of Westport, Washington, and Grays Harbor County.

​Construction of the lighthouse began in 1897.  On June 30, 1898, a dedication ceremony was held at the base of the lighthouse and that night marked the first official service of the Grays Harbor Light. It still uses the original 3rd order clamshell-shaped Fresnel lens. This lens was built in Paris, France in 1895.

Lunch was at Bennett’s Fish Shack.

The ride home from Westport was uneventful highway miles.

Reflections

The bike now has 92,702 miles on the odometer. The engine is still running strong, and mechanically everything is ready for another season.

I’m pleased to say that I haven’t yet aged out of life behind bars – handlebars, that is 🙂 In addition to working with a trainer, I do specific physical therapy exercises that help keep my back strong for my two-wheeled adventures. Should be good for a while longer, fingers crossed.

Starting the season with a ride is Seaside is perfect. It’s far enough to begin to get the body used to traveling behind bars, which is always a good step. I always stay at the same place but was happy to find some new places to eat.

My next planned ride is up to Ainsworth Hot Springs in mid June. I’ll be hanging out there with two friends from Santa Cruz celebrating my 68th birthday.