Day 62

85 Miles

Lily and I both decided we would say goodbye to each other in the morning and ride our separate ways the last 80 or so miles to the coast. So that is what we did. We got up, packed up, hugged and said our goodbyes. I said goodbye to Han, Hans, and Robert on my way out of the park.

The ride was easy. My start was early. It was going to be a hot day. I approached my first stop for the morning I passed Juno resting outside a coffee shop. Lily was probably enjoying a nice cup of coffee. That didn't interest me anyway. I moved on to a convenience store. I got some snacks for breakfast and the day. I was sitting outside just relaxing. I was watching the rafting company next door to the gas station get their rafts ready for the day. While sitting there a cyclist rolled up. His trailer was fully loaded. He was talking to the operator of the rafting company. They both struck up conversation with me. They were trying to get me to go on a rafting ride. It was an hour long and free. It actually took a bit of convincing. Finally I said okay. When Lily came by I asked if she wanted to as well. She took some convincing too. Before long Lily, the newly met cyclist, Garret, and I were in a van heading up river. We picked up a family of three along the way.

Our guide was a nice guy. We took a slow leisurely ride down the river. There wasn't much for rapids, but it was nice to see the mountains from another perspective. It was beautiful. The water was so clear and cold. The change of pace was relaxing. One set of waterfalls could be followed from the glacier capped mountaintop cascading all the way to the river forming hundreds of falls. It was incredible. 

The ride took about an hour. We all tipped our guide and prepared for more riding. Garrett was riding the around the North Cascades and wherever else suited his fancy. He was riding up to Rainy Pass and Washington Pass that afternoon. He was facing a tough very hot ride. I wished him well. I said goodbye to Lily again. She set off. I set out shortly after.

The sun was hot and riding wasn't always easy. The wind offered little cooling effect and much resistance. I made a couple small stops, mostly just for water. I did stop for an hour outside a senior center. It was closed but it had several outlets on the outside of the building. I sat in the shade and let my phone charge while I ate some lunch.

I didn't have a map but had a general idea of where I was going. My last rest for the night was about 20 miles from Anacortes. I ate a hot dog and a cheeseburger at a gas station. I doubled checked Google maps. It was early evening. I should be hitting Anacortes shortly before the sunset.

The last leg of my journey was mostly flat. The weekend roads were busy. I was tired but nothing could have stopped me from pedaling. I was a little confused by the roads. I followed the main road, which turns out to be one of the only ways into town. I crossed a huge bridge that made me a little nervous even though I was on the sidewalk. It was high and the wind blew across it. It provided an amazing view though. There was water, wooded islands, boats, and snow capped mountains all in the same picturesque view. On the other side of bridge I found a bike route. I followed it even though I was unsure of where it went. I deducted that as long as I was going West, I couldn't really go wrong at this point. The path lead through the back side of the town and went across a bike/walk way. It was another visual treat. 

As I rolled into the actual town I got a little disoreiented and didn't know where to go. Eventually, I decided to head toward the ferry terminal. I needed to look into a way to Seattle anyway. I arrived at the ferry terminal and walked inside. It was almost time for the last ferry to depart to Friday Harbor on the island of San Juan. There was only a handle of people in the terminal. Oddly, enough I knew one. Lily was waiting for the last ferry. We high-fived and told each other how awesome each other were. Then I hugged her again and said my goodbyes again. I grabbed some information on the ferry schedule and headed toward a local park.

Washington park sat on the water. As I rolled toward the beach the sun hung low over the water. It was ready to set. I wanted to take a picture but my phone had died before I made it to the park. I walked to the water's edge with my bike. I dipped Upstate's tires in first before dipping my toes into the water.

I did it! 3,525 miles (give or take a few), 11 states, Countless flats, Dozens of hardships, Hundreds of smiles, Exactly 2 months to the day, and here I was touching the salty waters of the Pacific. I have crossed a continent. I wanted to talk to my loved ones. I wanted to shout, to brag, to cry, to smile.

I found an outlet and plugged my phone in. I called my friends and family. The time change meant it was almost midnight there. Everyone was sleeping, but I left messages. 

I found a campsite and set up my tent. It was dark in the wooded campground of the park. I went to bed feeling pretty amazing.