Day 6 & 7

    No wi-fi yesterday. Spent the night at Twin Harbors, a janky little ghost town with great seafood. I've been biking with the new partner that I mentioned in earlier posts, Oren. We are moving at a steady pace going around 40-50 miles a day.

    One thing that has really made me happy about this trip are all the kind and generous people we've met on the way. My faith for humanity has jumped up a couple of levels after all the nice folk I've encountered.

   Tonight I'm treating myself by staying in a hotel hostel. A hostel is basically a hotel with minimal amenities meant for travelers. I am in a four bed room with Oren and it is possible for others to share the room. But the most important thing is that there is a bed with a pillow. Not having to set up and pack up my tent, tarp, and sleeping bag is a relief.

Here are some pictures of the past two days. Enjoy!

Waking up in a damp tent is inevitable. Here I am drying all my gear in the morning sun.

The shore has frequently been showing its beauty.

The super nice owner gave us a chocolate for the road.

Arrival at Bay Center, WA

What do you do with all these oyster shells? You climb it and take a super pose.

Spent the night at an Ivy-League campsite.

May 31, 2014. First time changing a flat tire. Somewhere on the border of Washington.

Rocket Diner? Breakfast (lunch) for Champions.

Left the good ol' state of Washington and moving on to Oregon.
 

Astoria-Meglar Bridge. 4.1 mile transition period between Washington and Oregon. (They were repainting it)

It may not look like much, but it's heaven being indoors.

It's been too damn long since I've felt a mattress and a pillow under me. 

Michael, the awesome host!

Solo to Duet

   Yesterday was a start to a new beginning. I had ate lunch at a place Called Ritz which is the best burger joint I've ever been to. It is on the edge of Shelton, WA so if you are ever driving through the small town, be sure to grab a burger and fries. 37 miles later through a forest with on and off rain, I arrived at Lake Sylvia State park campsite. At first it was just me, but then another biker came to the site right next to mine. We started talking and turns out he's going on the same route towards LA! His name is Oren and we've agreed to stick together. Having a second person not only brings back to the social game, but it means twice as visible on the road and half the fare for campsites. We're now in Twin Harbor, WA. Our plan is to be in Oregon within two days!

The Homie Server 

Ritz Burgers!

The only bridge within miles was closed.

This guy unlocked the gate and let me through! You saved me 10 miles. 

Instant coffee's not the real stuff, but it'll do.

Made a new friend. But he only wants me for my peanut butter.

Oren! Together we're unstoppable.

Stopped by a shop with a HUGE supply of Star Wars merchandise. Here's the owner Don.

Checking out the Medicinal Marijuana Shop. 

Stopped at the harbor with a craving for fish 'n' chip & clam chowder.

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And then there were two..

Day 5

Currently at a public library. After waking up, drying all my equipment, packing, and trekking through the forest, I finally saw civilization. 

Part of the trail got watered down. Manned it out, took my shoes off, and walked across with my bike.

Stopped here for breakfast: Honey crisp apple and a teriyaki beef stick.

Day 4 Continued

Today is a longer post since I feel I’ve gained some insight. Feel free to skim or just look at the pretty pictures.

  Things kept on going good and bad. Karma played a huge role in today's travel. After deciding to bike on a less traffic and more scenic route, a bolt came out of the support for my pannier bags so I had to stop. I happened to stop right in front of a driveway with some people talking. Vern, one of the guys, offered to help and was really kind. We struck up a good conversation on my trip and about California. He recommended a place called Hodad's in San Diego so I'll be sure to stop there, Vern! It was nice to socialize after awhile especially with such an amiable fellow.

 Right after we said our farewells, a bird literally took a shit on my hand. At least it wasn't on my clothes because the horrid smell would have lingered.

  Another episode of nature poking fun at me was when it started to rain and was near to pouring. I stopped my bike and put on all my rain gear and set up the rain fly on my backpack. After biking about 5 minutes, the rain vanished and the sun popped out so I had to take everything off. 

  After biking through huge hills going up and down, I found a secluded place near a mountain bike path to camp out. There, I felt one with nature.

Cruising by the shore 

Vern, the man himself.

Such a rude bird. Leaving feces on my hand.

Rain in the Sun

I thought all these white petal shaped things were flowers. Looking more closely, they're all seashells!

Tonight's menu, beef soup with beans. (And of course ramen afterwards)

Tired after a long day. 

  I experienced something new during the grueling times biking up huge hills in the rain.   I was truly suffering and on top already exhausted. Before this adventure, I felt so confident that I could tough out any situation. It wasn't until today that I realized what a comfort zone is in a person. By entering a place way out of this zone, it came to me how easily I can feel pain and suffering. It was difficult to keep going when a obstacle came about. But by pushing myself a little bit harder, and accomplishing, I found it genuinely valuable. Today's rough journey not only allowed me to experience a new feeling, but in a way it showed a bit of what I'm made of. And by this, it eased some anxiety on my own curiosity of what defines me. I'm not much an inspirational speaker, but I strongly encourage you to find a challenge that seems 'out' of your comfort zone, and try to beat it. It'll really be an experience.

Day 4: What a Tease

   I woke up at 5AM and left Bellvue ($$$ area), WA and headed out to Seattle. The weather was fit for biking, slightly cloudy and in the 60s. But after my ferry voyage, little things kept testing my patience. 

Superb bike path from Bellevue to downtown Seattle.

Pano of Seattle

1st Ferry Experience. I kept on thinking about the joker offshore about to blow us up. (Dark Knight) 

So the past two beautiful pictures of the ferry are actually evidence that I went on the WRONG FERRY. I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW UNTIL I BIKED AN EXTRA 30 MILES. Just a little upset.

I was suppose to take the ferry across Puget Sound to Bremerton (bottom left corner), but instead I went to Bainbridge Island. I could have avoided the blue path but instead made this silly mistake. Extra 1500 calories burned... The shoulders were narrow, it was raining at times, and the route was confusing and I even biked in a circle at one point. But I had a real nice conversation with a foreign exchange student from France on the ferry so I guess it was worth it. 

I'm currently at a McDonalds in Belfair, WA. McDonalds is ideal for my setup: located in most cities, free wifi, and cheap high-calorie food. 

Next I'm off the camp out at Capitol State Forest. It is 60 miles from where I am so I better head out. 

Shout out to all my high school teachers for the positive feedback!

Seattle, WA

Some pictures of Downtown Seattle on Memorial Day!

I totally wouldn't mind being a fishmonger some point in my life. 

Went to the first Starbucks ever opened! (The coffee tasted the same)

Detailed Street Art

Lemon-Basil Shrimp at Red Lantern Korean Style Chinese Restaurant

Coolest architecture for a public library! Unfortunately it was closed for Memorial Day.

Extremely intense game of street chess.