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By Michel, July 18, 2009 9:43 pm

The morning after arriving at Bainbridge Island, we started the day by drinking a warm and comforting coffee offered by our Norwegian friends. Since we had decided to take a rest in Seattle, there was no rush to pack that morning. We had a long and lazy breakfast. During that time, Isaac (the oldest of the three children) was unicycling. Considering his young age, we were really impressed! I couldn’t help myself to ask them if I could try it out. Isaac was more than glad to lend me his machine and give me some tips!

Friendly Norwegian family at Bainbridge Island

We finally left to go to Seattle (in the afternoon). There is a ferry to and from the island, between Seattle and the town of Eagledale. The road to get to the ferry was surprisingly hilly (too bad for our first resting day…)! The ferry goes directly to downtown Seattle.

Michel firing a coast guard boat from his mouth (on the Seattle ferry).

Arrived in Seattle, we headed to the Green Tortoise hostel, which was recommended by the Lonely Planet guidebook. It’s located downtown, costs about 30$ per night, is very clean, and offers free breakfast everyday and free dinner every two days. We visited the Experience Music Projet, a museum featuring Jimmy Hendrix’s history and a room with interactive music leasons (guitar, piano and drums). Very interesting if you have a couple of hours to kill! That night, we partied until late with Nico and Patrick, a Swiss and a Dutch respectively.

Party night at the Green Tortoise hostel. From left to right: Patrick, Nico, me and Gilbert.

While buying beer for the night, a guy with his eyes all puffed up and crying/drooling on himself came into the liquor store and asked for help. The guy had been pepper-sprayed. Wanting to help him, I was about to buy him a pint of milk for him to pour on his eyes (it’s supposed to help in comparison to water which worsen’s the burn). Seeing my intentions, the clerk told us that he had been pepper-sprayed for having harassed a lady and thus that he didn’t deserve our help. Shocked by the whole situation, we left without saying a word…

Michel trying to blend in (in downtown Seattle) - note the picture in the background

After a late morning, we went to the Pike Market, an outside market(partially, at least) selling fish, fruit, vegetables and other things. Interesting fact: the Pike Market Roast offered at Starbucks was named after the market, since the first Starbucks is located right in front of it. After sleeping-in (biking really is really tiresome ), we bought fish n’ chips for breakfast at the market.

Fish n' Chips at the Pike Market

Gilbert having a good time at the Pike market

As you can see, our two resting days in Seattle were pretty tiresome!

Distance covered: about 10 km

Total distance so far: 294 km

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By Michel, July 14, 2009 12:56 am

The next day was July 4th (a big US holiday), and Blaine had a parade and a market open (we got to treat ourselves to a slushy and iced latte), then left in the afternoon (once again way before the expected time). Since the sun was about to set, we decided to stay at a campsite on Chuckanut drive, next to the coast. It’s small but very nice and natural. We had another minute-swim in the freezing cold ocean water. We were able to take a couple of shots of the beautiful sunset. This was our first dinner and sleep in nature!

Gilbert and the sunset at the Chuckanut drive campsite (doesn't this look fake?)

Michel preparing a camp-style breakfast

After breakfast (without peanut butter, since it mysteriously disappeared…), we left to get to Coupeville. This day was certainly the most tiresome day yet… we pushed ourselves way too much! We quickely understood that it’s better to ride at a lower speed during a longer period of time than to push hard for shorter periods. In the latter case, our muscles were acheing and stiffening up.

Break on a bridge between campsite and Coupeville

Michel finally discovered that loads of blackberries grow in the west!

We finally decided to stay in a Coupeville motel to rest and get a proper shower.

Distance covered: 140km

Total distance so far: 190km

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By Michel, July 1, 2009 11:05 pm

Our adventure has finally begun! We arrived in Vancouver yesterday noon. And thankfully, our bikes arrived and are still  intact.

We are probably leaving Friday morning for Seattle. We’ll give more elaborate news soon…