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Robert
Marysville to Bainbridge
Thursday, June 23th -38 miles riding We needed to get to Bainbridge to spend the night with our WS host Trenton and Rasham. 25-30 miles just to get to Edmond to catch the ferry, we got a little rest on the ferry, we had gotten a WS offer to stay just 4 miles into the ferry landing but it was only to camp out in their yard and the weather forecast was lots all rain all day and evening.In the morning after breakfast and a very strong awesome coffee Kristin at the request of Carmen made a small directional adjustment which took just a few minutes to Carmen's handlebar which had been bothering Carmen for some time, Kristin made a nice comment to the change as in saying " thanks for trusting me to handle your bike".
That morning we had to cross three bridges from Marysville to Edmonds where we were to get on the ferry towards Bainbridge Island. We had been warned that the bridges were nerve wrecking because you had to cross over facing traffic to cross each one and the lack of space to either ride or push our bike was very limited. We rode all the way to Edmond to catch the ferry to Kingston. What a difficult day were we to face today. |
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Both of us decided that we wanted to stay indoors that evening. Once we landed in Kingston, it was raining so we stopped to recharge the phones and Carmen had an ice cream brownie. Nobody was in the Ice Cream shop, the rain keep people out, we asked the counter lady if we could come inside and rest until the rain eased, she said it was OK, that we would keep her company.
We talked to her about 2 possible routes to take to Bainbridge, she suggested to take the longer route, because the other was in many places under construction, but we felt that the added distance would have added another 25-30 minutes to our ride. We decided to take the shorter route knowing that in the rain, it would take us lots longer than what she thought it would.
The weather cleared up at times even with the sun coming out here and there, but when we reached the Clearwater Casino crossing into Bainbridge the rain came down hard, for about 8 miles we were soaked, but it felt so good, even with the afternoon traffic so close and so loud due to the rain coming of the tires. With many hills to climb and all the rain in our face we were now about a mile and a half from our destination, I had gone a bit further up than Carmen to see the street signs when a truck pulled off the road and started talking to Carmen, what I thought was just someone willing to help out Carmen turned out to be Trenton who after realizing that it was raining in the area came out to search for us. He offered to take us to his house, but after realizing that it was just a little over a mile we told him we wanted to finish it out ourselves. Trenton who wanted to make sure we did not get lost had been waiting for us at his gate with his big white dog. We rode in and left our bikes in the large greenhouse where he was growing tomatoes and chili peppers.
We were so wet and miserable that we did not notice our surroundings at this time, we grabbed our panniers and followed Trenton to his porch where his wife Rasham waited. She was a very happy and bubbly person who made us feel at home right away. The house is older than ours having been built in 1910. Before taking showers Trenton explained to us that there was only one knob to control the water, he had controlled the water heater so that the water came out only one temperature which was nice and warm.
Trenton is in the process of fixing it up at the same time working on establishing his farm and has a "job" with his parents real estate company. We got talking and found out that Trenton is from the island and Rasham is from Berkeley. They both had spend their 20's cycling the world. Trenton who is my new hero has traveled to 70 countries and the most impressive is that he climbed Kilimanjaro.
For dinner we had seconds on the roasted pork with veggies, carrots, potatoes with rolls, all which were home grown. I was so impressed with our dinner hat I took a photo just as you would when you have an unusually great meal.
We talked to her about 2 possible routes to take to Bainbridge, she suggested to take the longer route, because the other was in many places under construction, but we felt that the added distance would have added another 25-30 minutes to our ride. We decided to take the shorter route knowing that in the rain, it would take us lots longer than what she thought it would.
The weather cleared up at times even with the sun coming out here and there, but when we reached the Clearwater Casino crossing into Bainbridge the rain came down hard, for about 8 miles we were soaked, but it felt so good, even with the afternoon traffic so close and so loud due to the rain coming of the tires. With many hills to climb and all the rain in our face we were now about a mile and a half from our destination, I had gone a bit further up than Carmen to see the street signs when a truck pulled off the road and started talking to Carmen, what I thought was just someone willing to help out Carmen turned out to be Trenton who after realizing that it was raining in the area came out to search for us. He offered to take us to his house, but after realizing that it was just a little over a mile we told him we wanted to finish it out ourselves. Trenton who wanted to make sure we did not get lost had been waiting for us at his gate with his big white dog. We rode in and left our bikes in the large greenhouse where he was growing tomatoes and chili peppers.
We were so wet and miserable that we did not notice our surroundings at this time, we grabbed our panniers and followed Trenton to his porch where his wife Rasham waited. She was a very happy and bubbly person who made us feel at home right away. The house is older than ours having been built in 1910. Before taking showers Trenton explained to us that there was only one knob to control the water, he had controlled the water heater so that the water came out only one temperature which was nice and warm.
Trenton is in the process of fixing it up at the same time working on establishing his farm and has a "job" with his parents real estate company. We got talking and found out that Trenton is from the island and Rasham is from Berkeley. They both had spend their 20's cycling the world. Trenton who is my new hero has traveled to 70 countries and the most impressive is that he climbed Kilimanjaro.
For dinner we had seconds on the roasted pork with veggies, carrots, potatoes with rolls, all which were home grown. I was so impressed with our dinner hat I took a photo just as you would when you have an unusually great meal.
Carmen - This morning we had a good start we tried to leave early so we could avoid the rain. We rode steady, but either we rode into the rain or the rain caught up to us. I had this odd feeling and then I remembered - I had a very special gift given to me the night before.....a visit from my mom in my dreams. I spoke almost every day of my life with my mom. When she passed away - I had her visit me one week after her passing and she had not been in my dreams since. It has been 3 years since I saw her clearly and felt her. I don't know why, or what helped me to be able to see my mom in my dreams...wearing a long yellow dress. My mom loved getting out in the rain whenever she had a chance....so today I know she is with me in the rain.
The yellow rain jacket I wore for most of my trip finally had to stay on for the entire day. The ride was difficult and the temperature dropped. This was the hardest day of riding, for the first time I felt that maybe I could be in a bit of danger....the rain was coming down hard and I could barely see. I was wearing my glasses and they were fogged up and wet. I kept following Robert. There was a section of road that was under construction, so we were forced to ride on the road with the cars. Not all cars were slowing down for us today. I think it was the tourist that were going to the casino. Twice a car came so close to me it actually touched my jacket. The second time I was in front of Robert and he shouted out when he saw it. I avoided swinging to the right to get away from the car, because there was loose gravel and a drop off the side. I stayed calm, steady and kept riding. I remembered the guy from the woods....keep peddling. It was getting dark and we seemed to be lost. At one point I saw a truck riding up to me and pulling over in front of me. A young man with wavy red hair pulled out and smiled. He had the most friendly, calm way about him. I rode up to him and said 'Hi....I'm OK - my husband is up ahead in the store." We are looking for New Brooklyn Road. He replied yes - you are there - I'm Trenton . I knew then that he was our host for the night. We caught up with Robert and Trenton assured us we were not lost, but that there were a couple more hills. He offered a ride. We thanked him and said we would ride till the end. As he drove away - I wanted to jump in the bed of the truck and thought....the bike will fit there! After struggling to make it up a very BIG hill, I was so happy to see him standing outside his long driveway as a guide, because we would have passed his farm. I am so grateful to arrive and give thanks for these lovely people that are not too busy to host a tierd, wet traveler.
The yellow rain jacket I wore for most of my trip finally had to stay on for the entire day. The ride was difficult and the temperature dropped. This was the hardest day of riding, for the first time I felt that maybe I could be in a bit of danger....the rain was coming down hard and I could barely see. I was wearing my glasses and they were fogged up and wet. I kept following Robert. There was a section of road that was under construction, so we were forced to ride on the road with the cars. Not all cars were slowing down for us today. I think it was the tourist that were going to the casino. Twice a car came so close to me it actually touched my jacket. The second time I was in front of Robert and he shouted out when he saw it. I avoided swinging to the right to get away from the car, because there was loose gravel and a drop off the side. I stayed calm, steady and kept riding. I remembered the guy from the woods....keep peddling. It was getting dark and we seemed to be lost. At one point I saw a truck riding up to me and pulling over in front of me. A young man with wavy red hair pulled out and smiled. He had the most friendly, calm way about him. I rode up to him and said 'Hi....I'm OK - my husband is up ahead in the store." We are looking for New Brooklyn Road. He replied yes - you are there - I'm Trenton . I knew then that he was our host for the night. We caught up with Robert and Trenton assured us we were not lost, but that there were a couple more hills. He offered a ride. We thanked him and said we would ride till the end. As he drove away - I wanted to jump in the bed of the truck and thought....the bike will fit there! After struggling to make it up a very BIG hill, I was so happy to see him standing outside his long driveway as a guide, because we would have passed his farm. I am so grateful to arrive and give thanks for these lovely people that are not too busy to host a tierd, wet traveler.