09/11 Today marks the first time I’ve ridden along the Pacific Ocean. 
My campsite for the night is on just off the beach so I have a great view. The beach isn’t quite what I expected. It is just littered with trees that have floated in from wherever.
I wouldn’t have known this section of the coast was along the Pacific had it not been for my incredible neighbors. Ray and Norma are up here from Arizona in their RV. Not only did they offer me water, which they don’t have here, Ray also drove me over to the mini-mart just down the road so I could grab some food. They also hooked me up with some beer which was very much appreciated.
My minor annoyance of the day was construction area #4 along the 101. They are seal coating the road so they had guys stationed at the start of each section so people would know to stop and wait for the pilot truck. The guys at the first 3 areas let me keep going without have to wait. I’m not going to ride 35 mph behind the pilot truck anyway so it kind of just makes sense to let bicyclists through unless you are planning to load them up into the truck. For some reason though guy #4 had me stand there for 15 minutes and wait for the pilot truck. Of course it showed up and left with a couple dozen cars leaving me to ride off without them.
My only side trip today was to check out The Big Cedar. It’s, you guessed it, a big cedar tree. There were no signs saying how old or tall it was but it was pretty massive. I guess the top had broken off or was hit by lightning at some point so it wasn’t quite as tall as it once was. I also think I’ve seen it before. About 6 years ago I drove from LA to Calgary and I’m pretty sure I came up this way. For that trip I also stopped at Mt. St. Helens for some hiking so I don’t feel too bad for missing it this time.
Oh, and OMG, teenage girls are nuts. So I get into the town of Fork and pull into the visitor center. As soon as I saw the sign that proclaims the vampire population in addition to the human one I should have just left. But no I stuck it out and had to listen to car after car of girls pulling up to see all the vampire stuff they had inside thanks to that damn movie.
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Your remark about the Big Cedar reminds me of when I was heading down from Oregon to SF along the Pacific Coast. In the Redwoods park I saw a sign for “Big Tree.” My wife and I thought that, if you’re in the Redwoods Park and a sign says Big Tree, it’s gonna be an impressive tree. We were not disappointed.
I’m glad Leg 2 is going well–best wishes for the rest of your trip, however long it is!
Good timing by you – there was a big Twilight festival in Forks over the weekend with the author in town!! My grandson and I stopped there last month going from Ocean Shores to Port Angeles – boring. But Forks is loving the money coming in.
Those trees on the beach are driftwood – the east coast could use some – they make a good back rest when sitting on the beach
Continued safe travels!
Yeah Forks was kind of boring. Ocean Shores had a little character. Very touristy though. I was amazed by all the trees on the beaches up there. They had warnings all over the place letting people know about them being in the water. I sure wouldn’t want one of them crashing into me.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Forks. I’m reading the Stephenie Myers Twighlight series. I’m on my third book. Aunt Leigh Ann generously gave them to me. I never thought I would get into vampires and wearwolves.
Oh no! Not you too!
I can’t wait until you get here so we can go see the new movie when it comes out
Scott,
We’ve been thinking of you and wishing you well on your trip. Ray’s Cannondale is having a small bit of a chain problem that we are hoping to get lubed up. We are at Ft. Stevens, of course in our RV but riding the bikes on the paths. Wonderful picture of ET, I’m glad I pointed it out to you. Ray and Norma. PS, we always will have a cold beer whenever we meet up again.
Hi there! Sorry I’m slow to write back. I think I camped one night over at Ft. Stevens State Park. Cool place. The camping along Hwy 101 has been pretty decent. No more free CG’s though.
They only charge $5 for hiker/biker sites so its not too bad I suppose. Hope to see you down here sometime.