Another Go at the Willapa Hills Trail

After yesterday's debacle with the trail and sending Carol off on the wrong road, we decided to stick together and try the Willapa Hills Trail again from Rainbow Falls toward Adna. We were told the trail was pretty good and it was...for about 8.5 miles when it, unexpectedly, ended at a washed out train trestle over the South Fork of the Chehalis River. We had to backtrack 3 miles to the last road crossing (where it would have been helpful to have a sign mentioning the lack of a bridge) which was Ceres Hill Rd. We were able to follow Ceres Hill out to Hwy 6.

At Spooner Rd. we wanted to get back on the trail (after bypassing the missing bridge). This time we had a look to the map to see if there was the possibility of another washed out bridge. There was another river crossing. We decided to go for it, knowing we might have to backtrack again.

We got onto the trail and all was fine until we got to the river again. There was a sign at the river that said "Trail Closed". There was an intact train trestle bridge, but the trail has yet to be developed over it. It was just the railroad ties. No railing or other decking over the ties. We decided we could make it by pushing our bikes. This was not for the acrophobic! Some of the ties were a little rotten. They were still pretty sturdy though. Some were farther spaced apart than others. The important thing was to keep the bike perpendicular to the ties because otherwise the wheels would fall through (as Carol found out toward the end when she tried to turn to go through the barrier). It was a long way across, but we all made it. At least we didn't have to worry about any trains coming!

From the other side of the trestle, the trail was paved. We rode through Adna until the trail crossed Hwy 6. From there we got back on the highway.

We took a break at a gas station/mini mart at Hwy 603 and Hwy 6 where the clerk recognized me from when I stopped there when I was doing the Two County Double Metric Century route. We chatted for a bit. He also remembered I had told him I was doing this Peninsula trip.

From there we had 5 miles on Schueber Rd. into Centralia and our 5th and final Subway stop. After lunch it was pretty much auto-pilot for me--home up 507 to Tenino and the trail home. Just outside Centralia we saw the guys painting the STP Dan Henry route markers. I hollered, "See ya next week!".

We arrived home to no fanfare, but we got Nolan to take a photo of us. It was a successful tour by all accounts. A little bit of everything--beautiful scenery, rain, sun, and most of all, adventure!

Now Christian will stay here in Olympia for a couple of days, then I will ride with him to Vashon, camp out one last night together, then come back home. Christian will continue to Seattle.

Carol Lost and Found

The second half of today from Raymond to Rainbow Falls was a bit more adventurous than the first half.

After lunch we got on the Willapa Hills trail out of Raymond that parallels Hwy 6. It is the old railway that they are slowly developing into a rail trail. For a short distance out of Raymond the trail is paved. Then it becomes crushed gravel that is still rideable. Then it becomes something only a mountain bike would be able to navigate. At that point we popped out to Hwy 6. We rode 6 all the way to Pe Ell. There is one really good climb along the way.

In Pe Ell, the trail is developed again, but is still gravel. The three of us started on the trail, but when we got to the next street crossing (which we thought was Hwy 6), Carol decided to ride the road instead. Christian and I continued on the trail. I told her we would see her at the park as the trail was supposedly developed all the way to Rainbow Falls.

After maybe 1/2 mile, we crossed another street, but the trail became too difficult to ride. We turned around and went out to Hwy 6. Once on 6 again, I asked Christian if he thought Carol was in front of us or behind us. He thought she was in front. After a few more miles where we didn't see her, we thought she was probably behind us.

We got to the turn off 6 at Chandler Rd. Carol wasn't there (not that we thought she would be at this point). We followed the signs to the park (actually, I knew how to get there). We pulled in at 5:30. As we suspected, there was no Carol. We chose one of the Hiker/Biker sites and I went to pay. Then we sat where we could see her come in. We waited...no Carol. After about 45 minutes, I thought maybe she was waiting at the turn onto Chandler Rd. I went on Betsy back to Hwy 6 and Chandler Rd. No Carol. I came back to the park. By now it had been over an hour since we had arrived. I checked my phone, but I didn't have any service. We set up our tents and as Christian went to go shower, Carol pulled up in a car. She saw Christian (she was very glad to see him). They unloaded all her stuff out of Gladys' car (the bike was folded up in the back seat).

Turns out, when Carol turned off the trail onto the road, she was not on Hwy 6. She was on Pe Ell-McDonald Rd. after she had gone several miles she saw Gladys pulling out her lawn mower. Carol asked how far it was to Hwy 6. By this time she knew she wasn't on Hwy 6. It was only a few miles to 6, but then it was still 13 miles to the park from there. Gladys asked if Carol would like a ride. Carol gladly accepted.

So, we all ended up with extra unplanned adventures today. Christian and I on a gravel trail and Carol on a cross-country jaunt along the wrong road. But, it all turned out okay.

Notice my face in the photo of me on the gravel trail. It was a little dicey!

Halfway to Rainbow Falls

Here we are sitting in Slater's Diner in Raymond. We are not quite halfway, but close. The morning has been great for riding. It is sunny and perfect riding temperature.

We have left the ocean behind and will now head inland for our last night as the "C Muskateers". Our destination for today is Rainbow Falls. This time I will go the correct way over the new Chandler Rd. bridge. Less hills and shorter distance.

We met another cyclist last night at Twin Harbors. His name is David and he is from Spain. He is doing the Coast route to Mexico. He was leaving before us, but noticed he had a flat tire (like Christian did at Kalaloch). We ended up leaving before him. He caught up to us at the "Raymond on the Willapa" metal sculpture. Below is a photo of the 4 of us.

A Good Day for a Detour

Today we had to detour around Gray's Harbor due to the no ferry debacle of yesterday.

For the first time since we began this tour, we awoke to clear blue skies and sunshine. I didn't even put my knee or arm warmers on! I had my jacket sleeves on, but only for a short time.

The first section of the road to Hoquiam was not great. There was little to no shoulder and there was alot of traffic (this being July 5th). But, after about 8 miles or so there was a wide, smooth shoulder. It remained like that most of the way to Hoquiam.

In Hoquiam we decided to split up and take care of two tasks. One was to get dinner for tomorrow night and the other was to get more fuel for the stove. Carol and Christian were going to get the food and I was going to get the fuel. I headed to Big 5 Sporting Goods. When I came to the first grated bridge, I took the sidewalk. Bad idea! The sidewalk ended on the other side of the bridge at a dead end with a three foot tall barrier. Just as I was trying to turn around, I could see Christian coming up on the bridge sidewalk. I tried to signal to him to stop, but he couldn't hear me or see what I was doing (waving frantically). When he saw me and stopped, we both turned around. We only had to go a short way back before we found a break in the bridge girders that allowed us to get onto the bridge deck (when there were no cars coming, of course). We were still able to bypass the grated part of the deck.

We stopped at a Safeway to see if they had the right fuel. They didn't, and I decided to call Big 5 to make sure they had the right kind before riding all the way there. They did have it, so Christian and I continued on. Carol had stopped at a grocery store so she wasn't with us. We planned to meet at the old mall on Hwy 105.

After getting the fuel, Christian and I proceeded to where we were to meet Carol. Not 5 minutes after we got to the Mall, Carol pulled up behind us. Perfect timing!

By then it was after noon so we decided to go sit in the shade of the Mall entrance and eat lunch.

Back on the road, we were now on Hwy 105 that I have been on 6 other times (the latest being about 5 weeks ago). I can say I know this road very well! This time we stopped at the Westport Winery along the way. They have a nice little garden and a delicious bakery (in addition to the wine stuff). We all had some dessert (mine was a quad-layer chocolate stout cake). Then we tried our hand at horseshoes. Carol did the best. I sent a couple sailing into the plants of the garden. Christian tried "bowling" his horseshoes. I suppose we should stick to biking!

After the winery, we didn't have too far to go. There was a road I wanted to go on that ran parallel to 105. It was called Bayview Rd. It should have come back to 105 just before the bridge over the bay. Instead it dead ended at Pirate Ave. after just a short maybe 3/4 mile. Pirate Ave. went back out to 105. Well, now I know where that road goes...

We made it to Twin Harbors State Park, set up our tents in the hiker/biker site, showered, and then walked to the gas station Subway for dinner. It's now the second time I have eaten at that Subway, and our 4th Subway for this trip. On our walk to Subway, we saw the sign to Westport. And what sign was also there? The sign for the non-existent pedestrian ferry to Ocean Shores! SOMEBODY needs to take care of that!

After dinner Christian and I played cards and Carol organized her stuff. Then, Christian and I walked down to the beach to watch another glorious sunset.

We have just two more days of riding before we get back to Olympia. This trip seems to have gone by very fast. As we were getting close to Twin Harbors today, we could look across the bay and see the Olympics far off in the distance. It was interesting to think that not too long ago Christian and I were looking at those same mountains, from the other side, at the top of Hurricane Ridge!

Fireworks, a Full Moon, and Bad Karaoke

Happy 4th of July! There are fireworks going off all around us. One pyro is pretty close to us so I'm sitting out at the picnic table to make sure nothing comes sailing our way. We have a front row seat to some pretty major fireworks being set off on the beach. There are about 4 competing displays. We are surrounded. To add to the cacophony, there is a party nearby where they are doing really loud and extremely bad karaoke!

We are not where we planned to be. We were supposed to be at Twin Harbors State Park tonight. Instead, we are in Ocean City at Screamin' Eagle Campground.

We left Lake Quinault this morning to the promise of blue skies and sunshine. We were not disappointed. The riding was easy and we made good time. We were planning on catching the 4:00 ferry to Westport from Ocean Shores.

We stopped at the Green Lantern Pub in Copalis Beach for lunch. It was the only place to eat and the food was pretty good. From there we only had about 12 miles or so to Ocean Shores, then another 6 miles to the ferry. We enjoyed a tailwind most of the way from Copalis.

We arrived at the place where we were supposed to purchase the ferry tickets (according to the website). The first thing we noticed was a sign that said "No Ferry Service". We went around to the office and asked about the ferry. We were told there hadn't been a ferry for 8 years! WHAT??? There is a website that lists the schedule, days of operation, and fees! Well, there was nothing to do but head back and go around the harbor tomorrow. But, not without Carol asking everyone at the marina if there was someone who would take us across in their boat first (no luck).

We pedaled the 6 miles back into Ocean Shores, stopped at the grocery store, then proceeded to Ocean City State Park (which we had passed coming to Ocean Shores). We pulled up to the park office and when we requested the hiker/biker site, we were told they had nothing. The park was full. They didn't seem to be too concerned that we were on bikes. They didn't even suggest any place else until Carol asked. What has happened to never turn a cyclist away? Anyway, we went another 2 miles back in the direction we had come, to this campground. At least this place has free hot showers! We each paid just under $10.

Since we are just a block from the beach, it was quite windy earlier. Good for drying tents and laundry--difficult to cook in. I took my stove over to the restroom building and cooked our dinner. Got some funny looks from people coming to and from the restroom but, ya gotta do what ya gotta do!

After dinner we walked down to the beach to watch the sunset. It was a beautiful one!

At this point, most of the big booming fireworks have died down. Now, if only the karaoke party would end...oh no, now someone is botching a rendition of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody!

The Better Half

We didn't end up riding around the lake, but the second half of the day was very nice.

Once the rain let up a little, we rode over to the lodge for lunch and wifi. I had delicious fish and chips (sweet potato fries).

After lunch we retired to the lobby to sit in front of the fire and connect to the complimentary wifi. Around 4:00 Harvest Moon, a local author and Native American storyteller, came to the lobby with her dog Moon Shadow (an Australian Red Heeler). She did about an hour of storytelling. It was very entertaining.

After Harvest Moon finished, we checked out the Mercantile, then returned to our campsite. Carol discovered she had a couple of inches of rain water in her rear pannier. It was closed, but the side clips that the compression straps connect to were clasped together on top which allowed water to get in. She set about drying everything while Christian and I had a snack dinner (lunch was so big we didn't need a full dinner).

After we finished with our tasks, we went for a walk on the Rain Forest Trail. The weather had finally cleared and it was perfect for a walk in the forest. There are some whopper sized trees! It was all very beautiful.

When Christian and I returned to the campground (somehow we lost Carol), we went down to the lake. The sun was setting so we got some great photos.

When we got back to the campsite, Carol wasn't there. I thought she was having tea with Bob, the camp host. Turns out she had taken a wrong turn on the trail and ended up back at the lodge. She made it back to camp before it was dark, so all was fine.

Since the weather has cleared, we are hoping for some sunshine for tomorrow's ride to Westport.

Rain and the Kindness of the Camp Host

Welcome to the Rain Forest!

It rained throughout the night. Fortunately (or unfortunately for my kidneys), I didn't have to get up to pee! At 6:00, the rain stopped long enough for me to make a quick run to the restroom. As I returned to my tent it started raining again. About an hour later it stopped and I took the opportunity to get out and fix breakfast. Of course, it started raining again, but I was prepared in my rain pants and trail jacket. After breakfast, Carol retreated to the restroom down the way (not the one closest to us that doesn't have a hand dryer) to attempt to dry some stuff. I went to the closest restroom and washed my breakfast dishes.

Everything was put away so I went to stand under cover at the campground map sign. After awhile Carol joined me (Christian was in his tent), then we went to sit under cover at the restroom building. I took some pictures of the raindrops making bubbles in the puddles.

After awhile it was back to the tent. I had accumulated a bit of a lake at one end of my tent so I took a stick and dug a little channel to drain the water away. It's working okay in that the lake is not getting any bigger. Then I returned to my tent as my trail jacket had exceeded its water resistance and my down jacket underneath was getting wet.

I spent some time organizing wet things and strung a line from a couple of the tabs so I could dry my down jacket.

I did a word search puzzle I'd picked up at the lodge last night and read my Kindle.

As I was about to fall asleep, the Camp Host came by and said he was going to be doing some weed-whacking nearby and we could come sit in his warm truck. I'm the only one taking him up on the offer. I'm doing a good job of fogging up the windows, but I'm nice and warm.

Update: The host came back as the weed-whacker wasn't working. Now I'm back in my tent. If we can get a long enough stretch of no rain, we are going to go over to the lodge for wifi and maybe lunch.