Robert
Picture
 Artist Spot

​Tuesday, June 21th
Bellingham to Mt. Vernon
​ 45 scenic miles
It  was a very clear day leaving Bellingham, we rode past many beautiful forested areas and at the top of one  we saw a group of ladies painting scenes in the distance, we stopped to talk to a couple of them and they told us to make sure and stop in a small town called Edison for lunch, that it would not be far out of the way.
Just after leaving the painters we rode into a small town where we had to cross a bridge on the waters edge, I had a lady with kids film us with our phone riding about 25 yards. We did not have that many videos of the two of us riding together.
From there it was on to Edison, a very small town , it looked a little touristy, we stopped at a small bread and bakery shop which sold many good pieces at tourist prices, but they were tasty. Now at the suggested restaurant to have lunch and recharge our phones. I had fish and chips and Carmen had a salad, the fish was very good and the sweet potato fries were as well.
The waitress and I had a problem . I had asked for Mayonnaise for my fries, which is the way I rather have fries which is what I had in Germany years ago and have never been back to Ketchup. When we got the bill , I had been charged 75 cents for the mayo. I told her that I have never ever been charged for mayo, and I asked her if she had ever been charged  at any restaurant she had gone to , and her reply was always. I told her I had been a waiter for years and we never charge for mayo. Then she said to me with a sarcastic smile, " nothing in this world is free, except the smile on my face" at that time I did not care to continue the conversation with her and gave her my credit card. The tip we would have given her would have paid for many packages of Mayo, but after her attitude, she will not be able to buy a single side of mayo.  My reply to her should have been that we must be weary of free things.  
​From Edison we rode to Bellingham where we got a nice Motel for the night for $75. After getting cleaned up I rode the bike to a nearby grocery store  and bought a large salad to share , an avocado and a Mango sherbet. Even thought it was a motel we felt very safe.
Carmen -  Before leaving our hostess, Piper's house I asked to take a picture of her sweet dog.  The night before he warmed my feet by sitting on them while we sat and talked with Piper about school and the lack of funding for education.  
Today we had a very beautiful scenic ride, most of the ride was on the road with the occasional car or truck going past us.  I enjoyed going thru the area where I was able to see the train  right after I had read the marker detailing the controversy of the selling of land to the Northern Pacific Highway. The train whistle leaves a lasting echo in the forest.  The tall pine trees, the wind blowing and the cool weather all contribute to making this a moment to remember.  Change is never easy for any community, and I admire those that have the visions, energy and drive to make positive change for our communities.  Those pioneers that developed the different areas, thought about roads and train lines. Chuckanut Drive has been enjoyed for over 100 years by travelers and it still is a beautiful, well developed area.