The Skunk Cabbage is Blooming!

So are the trees and other flowers. Julie and I set out today on a ride of more uncharted territory for her (it's pretty hard to find uncharted territory for me if we're talking 60 miles or less). We headed over to the westside of Olympia and up Old Hwy 410 to Hwy 8. From there it is more climbing, but we both remarked how we don't really care because the shoulder is so much smoother than the chipseal of 410. Between either end of Summit Lake Road Julie got a flat. She did a great job changing it (I think she has only had to change 1 or 2 other flats). After about 8 more miles we exited Hwy 8 to go to McCleary. Stopped for lunch at Subway (of course) then headed onto Hwy 108. It is much easier going that direction on 108. Besides the fact that there is less uphill and an awesome downhill, we had been battling a headwind for most of the time on Hwy 8. We had a decent tailwind on 108. Always makes things easier! We made quick work of the 8+ miles to Hurley Waldrip. On Hurley Waldrip we started a dog barking which then seemed to progress all along the valley (ala "101 Dalmations"). It was back on 101 for a short section then off again at Old Olympic Hwy. A rainshower started so we stopped fore tomput my helmet cover on and Julie to put rainpants and jacket hood on. The squall didn't last too long. Julie ended up taking the pants and hood off after we went up a long hill back on 101. Then it was off at Steamboat Island Rd. and down Madrona Beach Rd. back into town. I really wanted to stop at Blue Heron Bakery, but with our renewed efforts at losing weight, we rode on by. Sorry Blue Heron, no business from me today...

Total miles: 61.8
Total calories burned: 1,972

Never a bad day to ride!