FRIENDS HELP ME ENTER SEPTEMBER BY BIKE

For many (maybe all) of my readers this could be akin to (as my cyber friend Greg says) watching someone’s slide show of their vacation (boring). Some of you (at least a few) however, tell me you like seeing and reading of these close to home rides and events. And I think those I include in my posts also enjoy the recaps. So, take your choice and read, or ignore this post according to your interest.

September this year has started with some great weather, great for any outdoor activity, and I have been pleased to have some riding with several friends during these first days of the month.

Kim and Meri joined me on a ride along Sammamish River Trail.

The bridge crossed over the slough to bring us to the other side of the river.

On the other side we continued on a connector trail to the Riverside Roasters and our stop for tea/coffee/treat/lunch. Roasters is across the street.

Next up for riding would be new friends Gail and Joan for a ramble along the northern part of the Centennial Trail.

Another bridge, another river. The Stillaguamish is a bit dry at this time. We often see fishers and sun bathers and waders here, but not this time.

The pond we pass along the way is rather scummy! The dry weather and hot sunny days must have something to do with this as normally, this is a clear pond (relatively).

A barn along the trail, partially hidden by the trees.

In what seemed like a short time, we arrived at the Nakashima barn, found the picnic table empty and waiting for us. Had a snack and a drink, took a photo or two, and headed back to town.

Here’s the line up! See — even Susan rode on this one ;’-).

On the way back was a statue commemorating the birds ;’-).

Back across the bridge and on to lunch at the Junkyard Grill, and the end of our ride.

Kathy joined me for another ride, this time from Mount Vernon to La Conner. Had our bagged lunch at the waterfront park.

Rainbow bridge crosses the Skagit River to connect La Conner to the Swinomish reservation. I have biked there several times, but not today.

Nearby is an antique shop that I kinda liked the name of.

Time to continue on and loop back to our car. And stop along the way for roadside attractions. —— and cows ;’-)

Another ride with my bike buddies Lizette and Shelly took us along East Lake Sammamish Trail to Issaquah for coffee. Er.. tea.

Coffee shop has lots to choose from for lunch and for treats 😊.

Not to worry though — I found the tea shop right next door. I would have gotten tea at the coffee shop but the tea bags they had available were not to my liking. Found Tea shop that had lots of tasty loose leaf tea. Heaven.

After our treats it was time to retrace back to our cars along the East Lake Sammamish Trail. Great day.

It has been such a delight to have friends join me for riding several times in these first days of September. The weather is right for each of them I suppose, and our calendars lined up well. ;’-)

Kathy and I enjoyed one of the rides we did on a fairly regular schedule several years ago with other friends as well. Kathy had to shorten her ride and circle Samish Island only, due to some health constraints. Now she was ready for the ride in its entirety. We began our ride from a more distant start point for Kathy and did so enjoy the day.

It’s a bit of a drive to get to this area, but the riding, scenery and countryside is worth every mile.

At the overview spot, with picnic table and porta pottie, we look out across Samish Bay and see the smoke from Canada fires that hampers a clear sunny day. Fortunately the air quality was ok enough for our ride.

A lone little boat waits near shoreside amongst the trees.

I have had this conversation with other friends, how it really is amazing that deer, no matter where or when we see them, are such an attraction for us. It’s not like they are a rare animal to spot, but most of us cannot keep ourselves from taking that photo (again).

Here’s a deer family enjoying life on Samish Island.

On the last leg of the island and as we round the corner, I can almost never resist this stone cottage that overlooks Padilla Bay. Seems idyllic.

We continue off island for the second half of our ride and I am happy to find that we will not miss the wood animal sculptures.

These two in front of the house.

The rest of them are set up in the side yard.

The animals are always fun to see, and very creatively made from logs and tree remnants. A real treat to stop and commune with them a bit.

Finally it was lunch time, and we opted to purchase rather than bring a bag lunch this time. Longhorn Saloon has been a stop for my past group of cyclists for a long time. The Saloon has very good food and we were able to sit outside on the back patio to enjoy our meal before walking the half block to the car ;’-). Sweeeet.

Kim and Meri were back with me for another ride, this time to Metro Market, a short jaunt for lunch and beverages at their picnic table. This if a favorite ride when there are time or weather constraints that make a longer ride impractical.

We set up for our picnic.

The Burke-Gilman Trail is one of the first trails I rode when I moved to the Seattle area in 1980 — the year of the Mount Saint Helen’s volcano! When I came upon what I called the ‘dual highway’ for bikes, I was intrigued. Of course now that is old hat as I have ridden it so many times. But still — though only a short part of the trail, I do like it a lot.

The trail parallels Lake Washington.

The trail is behind those houses across the lake as I stand near the ride start and will double back to begin the ride.

There was one more ride I had planned with Lizette and Shelly before Susan and I take off for our SOTF event, but I felt I needed to skip this one. It is a ride I really want to do with them, but the morning air quality warning (smoke from wildfires) near home and in parts of Seattle gave me pause. With my battles of Bronchitis for the past two years, my breathing apparatus is not in tip top shape right now. Though I have healed from this most recent bout, I continue with a cough periodically so feel it best to not ride until later today when the air will be better. Sorry to miss this ride but S & L assure me we will do it at a later date.

Looking back on these rides I see there is a “water theme”:

Sammamish River

Stillaguamish River

Skagit River

Lake Sammamish

Padilla & Samish Bays

Lake Washington

We biked along or around water on each of our rides. I feel fortunate to have these friends who will meet up for a ride and enjoy fun on the saddle with me.