Season 3 Episode 4 (9/24-9/26): A Taste of Home

Season 3 Episode 4 (9/24-9/26): A Taste of Home – 

9/24 Port Townsend to Bremerton, WA. 53 miles 3154’ climb

We’d been looking forward to cycling with grand views of the Northern Cascades Range including Mount Saint Helens and Mount Rainier. But as you can see the visibility for these days was close to nil. Oh well.

It was cold, and the second half of the ride wet. This does not lend itself to stopping to take photos.

Sunday night before going to services, for Yom Kippur, not your typical pre-fast dinner. French Canadian style poutine. And Heather loves (!!) poutine. Although this was only her appetizer, it was huge and triple the size of her pasta main dish.

We ate at a terrific restaurant recommended called Remedy - a fitting name for heading into our Day of Atonement. We did not know that the last Sunday of the month is comedy night and that the MC was sitting next to us, overhearing us compliment the cook on the poutine being so authentic. Ten minutes later we heard her making fun of us in her opening bit. We forgave her.

Services were warm and welcoming, infused with stirring guitar music. We joined a congregation of about 45 people. Their memorial service was truly moving and unique in the reading of all of the names of the congregants’ deceased relatives, and each person coming up to place a stone on a table. I placed a stone on the table in memory of my mother. We spoke with a number of the congregants at their potluck dinner to break the fast. All were truly genuine, and down to earth. We will remember Bremerton well despite the cold, rainy walks.

*     *     *

9/26 Bremerton to Lacey (Olympia) WA. 64 miles 3261’ climb

Another cold morning start with temp in the low 50s and reflected in the wisp layer of fog where cold and warm air collide above Henderson Bay.

Crossing the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The sky was an omen of what was to come. And it was cold so I wore my heavier rain jacket in preparation. I don’t know how Heather takes so many photos while moving. I’ve seen others do so, but I’ve yet to attempt it.

We enjoyed a snack and rest stop on the scenic Grandview Trail overlooking the Chambers Bay Golf Course, host of the US Open in 2015 in a nice area in the southwest of Tacoma. Heather’s sweet snacking continues.

After about 40 miles of pretty smooth riding, uh-oh our map route to take Perimeter Rd. is closed. What to do as that’s the only way other than the Interstate?

We backtracked a hundred yards and saw the sign telling us no bikes on Interstate 5 and also telling us the bike detour goes that way. So what to do?

Kids, this is what your mother looks like riding on the Interstate. I at least ride in the far right of the wide shoulder. Not sure why Heather is in the middle of it.

Riding on the Interstate is illegal UNLESS there is no other route as in our case. (In 2021, we rode on I-10 for a stretch in Arizona, and that may be why it felt “almost normal” to us.) One car honked at us like we were morons and warning us. We rode for a short distance from exit 115 to exit 116 and it seems crazier than it is. The shoulder is very wide. Once you get accustomed (or tolerate might be a better word) to cars whizzing by at 80 mph and trucks at 70mph, the concern is of getting a flat from all the debris in the shoulder and the fear is of being hit by a flying hubcap or other part that flies off a vehicle and you find roadside. BTW kids, we still don’t want you doing this!

Soaked, shivering and still smiling as we approached Olympia. We took cover for 10 minutes inside a Chinese restaurant.

Back on the road 30 minutes later it got worse, so we tucked under the Sonic restaurant car ports. BTW Heather hates my bike rain hat.

After another 30 minutes of intermittent rain but constant cold, we took refuge in a Trek bike store. This was partly to warm up and just as importantly to pump our tires back to full inflation after a week on the road. We have a hand pump but it’s limited in how much it can do and is really for getting us rolling after a flat. We need a full pump periodically.

After that short break and pedaling 5 miles, we arrived at our destination of The Capitol building. 

The Greek Gods (it is Olympia after all) showed favor to us and shined sunnily for our visit. It was a lucky interlude because 15 minutes later, as we headed back to Lacey and our “unofficial” Warm Showers hosts, it poured again.

The accumulated rain, and cold temperatures that remained in the 50s (when you’re soaked 50s is cold!) left me bone rattling and breathing heavy trying to stay warm. I could not fully feel my fingers, and when I tried to shift gears, my thumbs slipped right off my shifters. 

We took shelter inside a Starbucks and even after 15 minutes inside and holding a cup of hot water as a hand warmer, I could not use my thumbs to much use. I couldn’t open my packets of cheese and eggs.

After 30 minutes, we set off and were so excited to be greeted by our hosts Allie and Bryan. Allie grew up in Larchmont and is an old, close friend of our daughter Sydney. It was great to spend time with them and learn about what they are up to. This stay did not just warm our bodies, it warmed our hearts to have this “taste” of home!

Allie and Bryan, our super hosts! They prepared a feast for us and I complimented them by enjoying thirds!

© Copyright Mark Segal 2023.