by Liz

Day’s mileage : 48

Running total : 212

This morning, as we only had 42 miles to ride, we had a lie in and a leisurely start. Today’s lesson was don’t do that. Expect the unexpected and leave early to allow for all eventualities. We had three road closures with diversions to contend with. 

After leaving our cabin in the forest we passed through Sequim where carpets of pale pink blossom were blowing in the breeze. The cold wind was a notable feature today. I wore all my summer and winter kit together with a down jacket and waterproof, a buff and two scarves for the whole day and was just warm enough. The drizzle obliged and stopped early.

We followed the wonderful Olympic Discovery Trail for many miles, through pine forests, farmland and small communities, riding with the Olympic range to our left, their tops shrouded in mist, and to our right glimpses of the ocean and Canadian mountains beyond. Front gardens were vibrant with azaleas, lilac and apple blossom. Across one garden, I spotted a couple in their 60s sitting on their porch in pyjamas, intently looking at a shared object of interest. We passed a field full of swallows wheeling low to catch lunch. 

Shortly after 6 we arrived at our cottage beside Pepper Creek. We’ve aced unpacking in tiny cabins without trashing the space. We devoured Philip’s pasta bake and have strawberries waiting. The creek frogs are chorusing outside the open window, and I’m looking forward to another full night’s sleep, this time up in the cottage eaves.

Additional notes

Sequim to Joyce, Clallam county, WA.

Left at 11am. Arrived at 6.15pm.

Weather: Early drizzle. Strong, cold wind. Overcast. Some sunshine late afternoon.

Landscape: Forest. Small communities. Valleys. Bridges. The Olympic range on our left, occasionally peeking out from the mist, later white with patches of snow. The (closed) path alongside the bay. Occasional views of the ocean with the Canadian mountains behind. Port Angeles wharf and marina.

Towns: Sequim. Port Angeles.

Trails: Olympic Discovery Trail.

State roads: The 101 as part of the workaround.

Breakfast: Scrambled egg on toast, banana and yogurt.

Lunch spot: On a bench in the forest.

Dinner, made by Philip: Pasta bake and vegetables. Strawberries.

Wildlife: A field where swallows were swooping to catch their lunch. Two bald eagles.

Plants: More pinedrop.

Things we saw: Carpets of fallen pink blossom blowing in the wind in Sequim. Signs saying you are now entering the jurisdiction of this or that Indian tribe. Front gardens full of azaleas, lilac and apple blossom. A couple in their 60s sitting on their porch in pyjamas.

People we spoke to or saw: Philip asked the owner for a dish to make the dinner in.

Incidents: Three trail closures which meant some long workarounds. A driver who seemed to intentionally try to scare us on the 101. I had to manage my feelings about that.

Shopping: Walmart in Port Angeles (Philip was gone for an hour!).

Accommodation: A cabin beside Pepper Creek – a mobile home actually, but very nice. The bed is up a ladder in the eaves. The loo has a pedal flush. We have learned to take photos of our accommodation before putting anything inside and spoiling the look.

Today’s sound: The frogs in the creek chorusing through the little kitchen window.

Today’s second sound: The wind swooshing through the tall pines at lunch.

Special moments: Feeling more seasoned and less achy on Day 4. The peaceful offroad paths, 19 miles of them. Riding beside the bay, the eagles overhead. Listening to the frogs. Reassuring Philip it was fine he took the time he needed to shop. Giving him my hot water bottle for his back.

Positive experience from my journal: Working well as a team together and making headway west across the country.

Appreciation from my journal: Making good decisions about diversions.

Blog comment from Christine.

Audio: Frogs at Joyce (20s).

Mementos: Walmart receipt, Port Angeles.