A reasonably long day of about 75 miles (back in the USA means ‘miles’, folks) which bought me through some stunning Washington scenery, some nastily busy roads and one odd cyclist.
Here’s a picture of some stunning Washington scenery.
And a view from the bridge. Don’t look down!
It wasn’t all hills, but this is the first time since Day 3 that I’ve had to push my bike. Some 14% gradients with a headwind. Not much fun. But then it gives way to coastal farmland and it’s all flat and easy. Still with this fecking headwind, though! This has been against me now since the Cassiar Highway. Do you remember the Cassiar? Such a long time ago! Anyway, it turns out that there is an unusual dip south in the jet stream and this is dragging low systems further south which in turn is bringing the cold, wet and, for me, the annoying southerly winds. Looks like it’ll be against me at least until San Francisco. TAXI!!
Just as an aside does anyone else think this looks suspicious?
That’s a lot of cows around either a meteor impact or an open-cast mine. Hmm? What are the cows mining? Or are they attracted to strange emanations coming from the impact. No one was saying nothing! Conspiracy or just a hole in the ground? You be the judge..
And the odd cyclist. Well not so much odd as a bit unfriendly. We cycled together for a bit, but there was little conversation from him and he was quite slow – both mentally and his cycling speed! Turns out he was from Vancouver and was doing a circular trip through Seattle. Did he ask anything about me? No. Not a sausage. I made my excuses and left.
I’m in Port Townsend now, which I think the Americans would call ‘quaint’. I like it so much I’ve decided tomorrow will be a rest day here. I’m staying in the Palace hotel, which was, amongst other things, an old Victorian brothel. By far the most interesting and nicest hotel I’ve stayed in on this trip. I’ll get photos for tomorrow’s blog
Love
Pete
Patagonia Pete 
Having reacquainted with you through the face, I’m ashamed about how useless I’m at keeping in touch, but when I saw your recent post today I was curious to see what you have been up to. And WOW what a trip!! I really need to re assess my life! You are a real inspiration Pete and what a great read. You are totally responsible for my late night, as I’ve just spent the last hour reading all of your blogs, (slow reader!) I laughed out loud, Soz I think that should be LOL! Anyway Pete, Happy Pedalling and may the wind always be on your back, in your back?…..behind you! Love Rach (Inge)
Rach!
So good to hear from you. Glad you like the blog. But I think your adventure bringing up kids is a little harder! Please keep in touch. x
Looks like a golf bunker to me. Must be some of those famous Washington state golf playing cows you can see there. Of course their shyness and hiding of their talent is renowned… . x
I totally forgot I was in golfing cow territory! Must have been a tricky hole ‘cos they were all herded up around this hazard.
I agree with Bridget, is a golf bunker for cows for sure, if they’re not filling our planet with methane they’re destroying the landscape for their own selfish means, you wait til they discover darts, that will be the end my friend. Still, they do make nice burgers so will let them off.
Well, that cyclist seems a bit odd from your description, maybe he was intimidated by Billy the Bike, or maybe just a tad ‘special’, either way sounds a good thing you left him behind.
Hope that wind calms down for you!
Dont be ridiculous pete, cows can’t do mining that would be silly. They wouldn’t be able to hold their pickaxe tightly enough. No, clearly some of the local humans have simply been out for the day in the cow-mine digging for cows. Where did you think cows come from, they don’t grow on trees you know.
Hmm sandpit for the baby cows? Gotta have something to keep them occupied after all…
Pete, are they small cows, or just far away? They seem to be spelling something ending in ‘ow’, with the crater being the ‘o’ and the cows on the right forming the ‘w’. I wonder what letter the out of shot cows on the left are trying to form?
Steve
Actually, I think it’s meant to be read from the other direction – a word that starts with ‘mo’. What could those cows be trying to spell?
Steve
you are all so wrong. Clearly, these cows are digging a Heffalump pit.
Your logic is sound apart from the fact that I saw no tools. Or earth removal machinery come to think of it. I fear we may never know the ‘truth’. Shh, I hear the Feds… click, brrrr……
Sent from my iPhone