All Downhill

The alarm went off at 6am this morning, our usual wake up time, but as it was steadily raining at our Dagobah-like campsite, we stayed in the tent for another couple of hours. Eventually it was late enough that we had to get going despite the continued drizzle since we didn’t really have the supplies to spend another day out in the boonies. A store with breakfast was only 10 miles away, but first we had to make it over one last big hill of 500 ft or so… really we needed it to get warmed up as the rain continued more or less all day.

As previously mentioned we don’t wind up seeing too much during rain since our glasses get kind of foggy, but we did have a couple interesting conversations. An old guy in a parking lot asked me if I was Swedish, which I’ve definitely never been asked before. Later, while biking past a crosswalk, a ~2yo being carried by her mother said to me “it’s raining, you know…” in a concerned voice. Her mother cracked up. I knew.

To break the monotony of the rain, I got two flat tires. I think it’s easier to get them in the rain as glass and metal stick to the wheel then get more chances to punch through each revolution. Very luckily, both flats happened during respites from the rain so I was able to get patches on easily.

On the positive side, we did pass a really excellent strawberry shortcake stand. Fresh berries in the summer is one thing the NW has that nowhere else can beat.

Despite the delays, we made it the 65 miles to Sedro Wooley. Tomorrow only calls for some light showers so we’ll head over to Port Townsend in the morning. Only two more days of riding!