In an attempt to not fall so far behind in posting here, I am writing about the start of this month. I will be writing more about our ride(s) around Mount Vernon as the month progresses, but we did a scouting ride, well, two actually, at the start of May.
Susan and I will be leading a bike ride for the SOTF in June and we wanted to ensure a good route. The first ride, Susan and I did just the two of us. We scouted the parking options for the start of our ride we would be doing with a couple of our friends who would be doing this same ride with us in the following week (more to come about that).
The parking that is available is on street parking very near the County Fairgrounds where the SOTF will be camping. On this day, we parked in front of this house. I don’t think it is abandoned, but perhaps just neglected.
We want to be sure to show off our area, so we needed to find a good spot to pull off the road for a shot of Mount Baker. We are wishing for that day to be as bright and clear as it was today.
Our hopeful intention of having lunch at the “historic” (as in rustic) Conway Pub & Eatery was not going to work as there is no place to park 22 bikes! In addition, we know it would take an exorbitant amount of time to order, be served, eat and pay the bills for 22 cyclists. Susan and I did stop in and found out the info, plus ordered our burgers to go.
As the photos show, we had beautiful NW weather. There are a few photos we did not take, but will be taking on our ride with our friends the following week.
Then was my riding around home experiences. Even on a dry but cloudy day, I opted to not ride. Since the day was not optimal for weather, I gave in to being really overdone with my same routes around home, so chose to do some forever chores.
But I did get one photo on a different day of riding. Kind of a nostalgic feel to it.
Having skipped that less than stellar ride the day before, I was ready for the Mount Vernon ride with our friends. We met up near the fairgrounds again and this time I got to stop for the cat sign ;’).
While the others waited for me to get the photo. Always so accommodating.
A stop at our friends Shirley and Sherry’s is always a treat – to see them of course, but to visit with their alpaca as well ;’).
Our lunch stop was at the Snow Goose Farm produce stand which has much more than produce. Old signs and new signs
A great variety of goods as well as humongous ice cream cones!
Susan and I had stopped here on our previous ride. This time we would ask about having our picnic lunch here at their outdoor tables (yes we can). Our little group today went around back near their vegetable garden, found a table and had our lunch.
I took a couple more rides, one solo and one with the Cascade bike club. On a club ride there is never an opportunity to stop for a photo or two, so there were none for that ride across Lake Washington on the 520 bridge.
Rather than make this a long long post, I will publish this at my very next wifi connection. We are currently camping on the Oregon coast and I don’t know when I will get to send this off. But — this is the real beginning of our SOTF outings and I will be posting some about them all.
Adventures with Nancy 
Sounds like you are getting some very nices rides and with friends! That’s so motivating. I know what you mean about riding the same old loops close to home. Sometimes even good weather isn’t enough to get me out.Von meinem/meiner Galaxy gesendet
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