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.

Biking in the Rain

   While most of the time I will be out and about on my own, my parents still got my back. It started to downpour during yesterday's bike ride on a local highway near the coast. I had bought a rain suit but instead brought my "water resistant" windbreaker. I was thoroughly disappointed with this shameful and soaking decision. On the positive side, biking in the rain turned out to be pretty refreshing. After biking 48 miles, I arrived at a McDonalds in Marysville, WA just outside Seattle. I was freezing to death. Throughout my whole trip, my parents will travel on a similar route as mine towards Mexico and our plan is to meet in the big cities. Thankfully they had left Canada earlier that day and were nearby. They scooped me up and I got to spend the night indoors! (By indoors I mean an RV..close enough). 

ALWAYS wear a helmet when biking. NEVER wear cotton when expected to rain.

The juiciest strawberries come from the middle of nowhere!

Google Maps takes me to some dodgy roads.


Selfie from a water-proof sack.

 

How to make a laptop waterproof. (MN reppin')

La Crema Coffee Shop

After leaving Bay View Campground, I needed a place to recharge and get myself together. The nearest library didn't open till 11, so instead I tried out a small coffee shop in La Conner. I wasn't really expecting much but it turned out to be a real cozy joint. Could easily lounge here all day.

Here is the wonderful barista who served me. Thanks for the mocha and the scone, Aubrey!

UPDATE: There's a bunch of nice fellas here in there 40-50s talking around me. Recreational marijuana is legal in the state of Washington, and these are guys are passing around a joint (not lit).

Day 1 Continued..

   I arrived in Burlington, WA around 6:00PM. My original plan was to find a nice neighborhood and go around and ask for permission to spend a night in their backyard. This task proved to be harder than I thought. I also couldn't really find a nice neighborhood. Slightly panicking, I finally found a camp site at Bay View State park about 5 miles away. 

I heard about these on a TedTalk. 

The whole state of Washington have a biker/hiker rate for only $12 at any campsite!
Here's the set up for tonight!

Ramen noodles are crucial.

I opened my first can with a swiss army knife. Looks like a bloody massacre.

There was a nice view at the campsite.

Next destination: Marysville, WA!

Day 1

So far so good. Today's perfect weather for biking. The first thing I had to do was go through customs at the border between Pacific Douglas, BC and Blaine, WA. The border patrol guys looked intimidating, but I was a little disappointed because there weren't any high barb wire fences or metal detecters. I just had to scan my passport. 

The guy walking towards me was telling me not to take pictures.

The border patrol and dog were super chill. They wanted me to mention they're Packer fans.

First Checkpoint!

It's only about noon so it's lunch time and then I'm off to Burlington!

My next few frugal meals! Everything was less than $7! Hopefully it'll last..

Last Preparations

  Rain or shine I will be crossing the Canadian border tomorrow officially starting my bike ride to Tijuana, Mexico. Having packed all of my stuff, I am testing out what I will need and what I don't. I probably packed a bit too much but most of the things I have are disposable.
   This trip won't be easy. The biggest challenge is finding safe harbor to sleep. I'll be sure to keep you updated on that. I also have to prepare all my meals. Several meals can be made with the propane tank and stove I'm bringing, but I'm mostly sticking with dry foods.
    I am excited and at the same time a little nervous. This journey will be a test of my mind and body. There will be unexpected challenges and difficulties to be faced and I may find myself in a place of discomfort. Let life come to me! I know it's cheesy to put a quote but there is one that always came to mind while preparing for this adventure. "I always wonder why birds choose to stay in the same place when they can fly anywhere on the earth, then I ask myself the same question." -Harun Yahya. Well, tomorrow I can begin to answer this question.

Capilano Bridge

Last Tuesday I gave in to tourism and went to the Capilano suspending bridge. It is 140 m long and 70 m above the river all suspended by ropes. Not the best place to go if you are afraid of heights because the bridge sways and shakes making it difficult to even walk straight. The rest of the park takes place in the trees with free tours and environmental information.

'

No trees were harmed in the making of this park.

Vancouver, BC, Canada

   The nomadic lifestyle has really kicked in ever since we crossed the border into Canada. Every night is a new spot. Quieter residential areas have been the most common places to park our RV. It is fun trying to remember where the last place I spent the night.
   During the day, I was able to get around the many parts of Vancouver by bike. A super bike-friendly place with bike lanes across the city. Last Monday I explored the downtown area. Crowded streets, loud traffic, and street performers filled the metropolitan area. Although a very diverse city, Chinese and Indians seemed like a large portion of the crowd. Everyone is very polite, but like in any big city, mostly kept to themselves.

Downtown from Lion Gate Bridge

Biker's Paradise!

   

Later that day I biked about 7 miles West of downtown towards the University of British-Columbia campus. I was walking towards the ocean when I realized I had entered a nude beach! Unfortunately most of the people were 40 years or older. Nonetheless, a beautiful beach. 

UBC students have it good

Add this to your itinerary!

Pacific Ocean

S/O to MN!

JPOOLC Kafka Cafe Main St Vancouver, BC, Canada

Located near the corner of Main St. & Broadway is a hipster looking Coffee Shop. Barista with tattoos and Ray-Bans, music I never heard of, and local artist works on the walls, formula to any indie coffee shop. According to Google Maps, this is the only one with this owner. The guy brewed my coffee individually with a filter and the grounds, pouring through with a tea kettle! Freshest coffee I've every had with a social atmosphere!  8.0/10

Unfortunately couldn't get a good picture because I was in a dark corner.

RV Pageant

   Wifi has been pretty hard to find so I haven't gotten to posting. A few days ago I crossed the border from Washington to Canada. My father had looked up an RV park and it had some pretty good reviews. We paid for a night and all looked pretty nice until I started to see some pretty unique RVs. So I decided to gather up some pictures and sign them up into an RV contest.

For Most Likely A Meth Lab:

Winner:

The Pace Arrow

Mentionable Nominees (The majority of them looked like meth labs):

There's still that classic look.

The cherry red racing vinyl adds an elegant touch.

TravelAire (Not an Airplane)

Notice how the door is open for better ventilation. Environmental Friendly.

This one even comes with a lookout window in the back. Luxury.

I am pretty sure this one is bulletproof.

The "Gotta Make Do With What Yah Got" Award:

Winner:

The school bus takes the win because not only does the ply wood allow privacy, it also sends out the message of education. (Noticing the windshield, this vehicle is not bullet proof)

Mentionable Nominees:

Yacht + Wheels = RV

This masterpiece comes with not one, but two deep fryers in the back.

The Safe House:

Winner:

Never have to worry about floods. This beauty has a suspension system that also keeps away unwanted rodents.

Most Homey Feel:

What a nice house. Hey wait a minute...

Runner-up:

Gorgeous Pinewood porch.

Most Soul:

Rastafarian.

That's the end of the RV pageant! Thanks for reading!