Everyone was up by about 6:00am. It was time for breakfast, make our lunches, clean up and pack up. . . soon we were on the road.

We got on the trail out of town and there was some great art!!!

The trail ran right along a marina. LOTS of big yachts and some new new fishing boats.

. . . and the price includes the trailer!!!

The trail is actually named the Tommy Thompson Trail. Didn’t know our ex three term governor Tommy G Thompson had such an influence this far west.

Allen rides along the bay as we leave town and as you can see . . . Tides Out!!!

Soon I met the Anacortes 7th Grade Biking Team out for a  ride with their teacher. Nice way to start the day!!!

Along the trail there was also an ‘art project’ that encouraged you to add something of your own. I had nothing to to get rid of having just started the tour!

We had to cross the bridge over the bay . . . a high bridge, but we had a special lane . . .

. . . that afforded great views of the area we were leaving behind. Next ocean . . . the Atlantic!!!

First cultivated crops we have seen . . .

. . . but it’s not the only thing they are growing in Washington State.

Right down the road there was another one!!!

I spent about 5 minutes talking to these guys. They came over from all corner of their field to say HI!  VERY curious critters!!

Once again, on the road I am finding the Baptists have the best messages on  signboards outside of their churches.

A truck stopped in front of me and there was Gaylen. He was wondering why he hadn’t seen many riders go by his house the last several years riding the Northern Tier. Ends up the route had been changed. He offer to have me stop by for lunch . . . but David and I had just eaten our sandwiches.

Here is one for Diana. It may not be the movable Martha Stewart type chicken coop but this one is certainly functional. I’m getting the plans for you!!!

. . . and here is one for emJay. Just missed the concert by one day!!!

This was quite the back exit to a Drive In I rode by. They basically sliced the side of a trailer and made a fence out of it.

We were climbing into the Northern Cascades today as we left the farmland behind and climbed into another agricultural operation – growing timber. Here was a clearcut going on across the valley and I could  hear the operation as they hauled out the cut logs.

Another fun message . . .

. . . was soon followed by this shocking site. Hadn’t even ridden 40 miles yet and already saw my first roadside memorial. Sad.

We had a change of campgrounds today because the one we had reservation at had changed ownership and then closed down. THAT is one of the reasons it is so great to tour with Adventure Cycling. They handle all the logistics. When weeks ago Allison call to verify the reservation and found it had closed . . . she just booked another at at this KOA.  The directions to get there  were sort of goofy. I was the first one to arrive and hung the safety triangle to signal this was the way.

I discussed how we have to eat out of convenience  stores several times on theTransAm and I had eaten more Vienna Wieners than I needed in a lifetime . . .

. . . so of course Wade bought me a can of Vienna Wieners . . .

YUMMMMM . . .

Lynn and Kirby were the ‘Rangers’ on deck today and welcomed us with open arms. The rest of the afternoon the others continued to arrive until we had our whole gang.  Showers, swimming, hot tubbing and miniature golf were all available at the KOA. AND wifi.

We start some serious climbing over the Cascades tomorrow and will be camping tomorrow night at a primitive Forest Service campground. We will haul our food for the last 19 miles due to no services at our campground on Diablo Lake!!