Tulip Loop

Ok, so the original idea was to ride the Centennial Trail from Arlington to Snohomish and back. In February we rode it from Snohomish and almost made it to Arlington. It was a great ride. This time Nadine suggested we start at Arlington, and maybe catch the new spur north of Arlington too. She had a couple of errands to run up in that area, so she figured we could ride in the afternoon after the errands.

On the long drive up to her cousin's house (Nadine seems to have cousins everywhere) it occurred to me that it was Skagit Tulip festival time and we were nearby. I suggested a change of plans and she eagerly agreed. So after her errands, instead of Arlington we drove to Mount Vernon and stopped to visit, yet another cousin!

You've got to start a big ride with a big meal. We had a really good lunch at Kelly's BBQ in Mount Vernon and then we were off.

Barbecue

Kelley's BBQ

Nadine cruising on Allen-Avon Road

Soon we saw our first field of Skagit County flowers, but i don't think it was the type of flower that the County leaders were advertising!

Dandelions

Bald Eagle

Share The Road!

We were riding in farm country here. The roads were narrow but almost empty. However we did share the road with tractors several times. The Skagit river delta is a lovely place to ride. The Tulip festival is the month of April every year, but it's a friendly area with quiet roads. And it's flat. Very flat. Of course you often have to deal with "Dutch Hills" (headwinds) but we were spared that today.

new fender

Nadine & Mark

chickens

a few flowers

a few anarchic flowers

llamas in the front yard

a sign no cyclist wants to see

another eagle

Bow, Washington

We decided to ride north first. The roads are very straight, and we rode directly north to Bow Hill, the only elevation change on our route, a bit of a short climb up, and a steep screaming descent in to Bow. I've passed through Bow on several bike rides, but mostly i know it from speeding past many times on the train to Vancouver. From there we continued to Edison. I'd never been to Edison and i was expecting a 3 horse town like Bow, but that was not the case. Edison was really cute, a nice little downtown with cafes and shops and galleries. Next ride i will make it a lunch spot. I'm looking forward to that.

Stave Church south of Edison WA

Bayview WA

view of Padilla Bay

farmer working

We discovered an interesting trail along the levee called the Padilla Bay Trail, unfortunately we discovered the south end of it, after riding paralell to it for half an hour or so. When i do the ride to Edison i will ride this trail!

Padilla Bay Trail

trail gate

Nadine drafting, Skagit county style

Once we were south of highway 20 again we started to see more tulip tourists, the roads became a bit more crowded. We stopped for ice cream at a farm -- i was skeptical, i'm a bit of an ice cream snob, but i was thrilled, this was great ice cream and much needed fuel.

About this point it became obvious that we were going to run over schedule; we had had a very nice ride, but we not made it to LaConner or seen any Tulips. We could cut off the southern loop, turn left now and ride back to Mount Vernon, and probably see Tulips on the way. But Nadine decided to skip her afternoon appointment and we pushed on south, now experiencing a little bit of the Dutch Hills.

In the town of LaConner, which was very, very busy with tourists, we got fantastic frybread salmon tacos at the little tribal stand in the middle of town and then headed back into farm fields.

strange trench

In a number of fields we saw this strange fresh trenching. I had no idea what it was for, perhaps drainage.

Asparagus

Finally, after looping down almost to Conway, and then swinging back up towards Mount Vernon we started to see the bigger fields of flowers.

Daffodils

Bianchi wants to roll

And yes, after only 40 miles in the Skagit flats, we DID see tulips!

Tulips

riding through the Tulips

purple Tulips

Nadine in the Tulip fields

more purple Tulips

Another way of photographing the tulips

lush red tulips

Rozengarden

Rozengarden

map

Bianchi

night loop

I was intensely focused. My shadow stretched far in front of me, far out of proportion with me or my bike. My friend behind me was nervous about the gravel trail in the dark. I was focused on keeping strong in front of her until we were out of the park. Her light was casting my shadow on the pitch dark trail along the edge of Puget Sound. The wind was so strong, waves were breaking over the edge of the trail. I concentrated on the cone of light from my generator, kept the bike a solid wind break moving forward. My mind was clear, so rare in today's hyper distracted world. I was focused on the shaddow, on the trail, on the waves, on the bike. Keeping straight down the trail. And enjoying every second of it!

Lincoln Park is a favorite ride of mine. I had been looking forward to riding it at night. It started as a very calm ride. Auri wanted some miles after work and suggested dinner in White Center. That's an area that i have spent very little time and i was excited about seeing it. We left downtown on Airport Way.

Auri on Airport Way

LINK light-rail car shop

The 'R' in Rail is actually the 'R' in the 'Rainier' sign for so many years on the Rainier Brewery across the street. (Not the giant 'R' that was on top of the building).

attempt to get a photo of Aurilee with the fabulously blooming cherry trees in White Center

We rode a few loops of downtown White Center and then had a huge meal at a Cambodian restaurant.

a lot of food

After dinner, and after dark, we took a nice looping ride along Marine Drive towards Fauntleroy. It was a peaceful night as we entered Lincoln Park and casually rode up to the point. We started to feel a few droplets, but we could see stars. It was a nice night. But as soon as we came around the point, we came around into the wind, and it was a very strong wind. The droplets were not wind, but sea spray. The trail is along the seawall, for the length of the park. It was high tide and there was no beach exposed. The waves were not crossing the trail, but they were spraying onto it. Quite suddenly it became a very intense ride. I enjoyed it. I really liked the focus, the work, and i liked being able to handle it.

I found a moment of self awareness, seeing myself pulling through the wind, almost from outside, but most of that stretch i was focused and very present. I love the feeling of the sea spray, the experience of being out in the weather, of doing something. It felt real.

After the park is a cute little alley with tightly packed waterfront houses, and at the end of that alley was a brightly lit house. We were surprised to see Christmas lights this far into spring, but upon closer inspection, we saw they were for EASTER! I had never seen Easter lights before.

Easter Lights

We were somewhat sheltered from the wind along Beach Ave, but once we got to Alki, where we were hoping to have coffee, or dessert, the wind was full force.

strong wind at Alki

a ferry in the distance

Unfortunately nothing was open on this blustery night. But once we made the turn around Duwamish head, that screaming wind was at our backs, pushing us towards home!

Seattle skyline

Seattle skyline

Seattle skyline

SCUBA divers at Seacrest Park

SCUBA divers at Seacrest Park