July 6-7, 2019 – day 4-5.
It was great to catch up with friends in Victoria, likely the best cycling city in Canada.
I stayed mostly on the Galloping Goose and Lochside trails.
One stop was the new Gymnastics club — Inspire Sports. Very impressive.
I happened past Michell Airpark, the local remote-control flying club. Models like this can cost thousands of dollars. They fly about 8 minutes.
Each August they host Victoria’s Largest Little Airshow, a charity event.
I caught a late ferry from Sidney delivering me to Anacortes on Fidalgo island just at dark.
Happily the Washington Park campground, up from the ferry landing, had hiker / cyclist campsites for $10. Free hot showers.
I’d hoped to get to the USA in time for the 4th of July.
Just missed it.
I’d cycled these islands on a previous trip so wasn’t much motivated to make a lot of stops. Also, my good weather was deteriorating.
I did do a short hike in Sharpe Park up to Sares Head Overlook.
The highlight — as it was last time I cycled here — was Deception Pass, a strait separating Whidbey Island from Fidalgo Island.
George Vancouver gave it the name “Deception” because it had misled him into thinking Whidbey Island was a peninsula.
I stopped at Deception Pass State Park for a bite to eat. And stumbled on to a new adventure sport — tree climbing.
A company called AdventureTerra was teaching a beginner course: 4 hours for $170. Looks like fun.
Cycling the islands is lovely, even in the rain.
It’s a short, easy ferry directly to Port Townsend. Victorian houses, much history and a vibe supportive of the environment and human rights.
Also wine.
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