First we took the Grandboys to a three day, all day, mountain bike camp. We camped at Tall Chief Campground so to have a mere 10 minute drive to the bike camp each day. We would drop them at bike camp and pick them up at the end for camping with us.
Here they go on the first day… and it rained! After days and days of sun, this day had rain, but not cold, and the rain was light. But with mountain biking, you ride in all weather.
One on the red and one on the orange bike.
They did have a good camp but E fell early in the ride and had enough soreness in his arm and shoulder, he had to miss the first two days of camp! So we did some sightseeing with him which included a drive to Snoqualmie Falls.
Their mom did report that when they got home they both said they would love to do the camp again. So— a success.
Now — Harstene Island? Until I had visited some of Susan’s family years ago, I had not even heard of Harstene Island, let alone known where it was.
I have circled Bellingham at the top and Jerrell Cove at the tip of Harstene near the bottom of the map.
Why Harstene? Britta, Susan’s niece, had a planned trip to this area to have some time with her dad on Harstene Island, and with her mom in Leavenworth. Britta lives in Korea with her husband and three young children and they all made the trip here together. Her dad, Jack, arranged a (partial) family gathering at the family cottage on Harstene. We had a delightful picnic lunch, including some goodies brought from Korea, and then they all had time at the beach.
A view from the cottage. With drying clothes hanging to dry in the sun.
Time at the beach…
All the cousins — Sarah and her family, Jenny and her family, Britta and her family, Jim and his family of course enjoyed being together again. But a highlight was definitely watching the ‘second cousins’ — all the children of those first cousins — seamlessly play together and enjoy time with each other.
It was great for us as well, to reconnect with at least one of the family that we probably have not seen in 30+ years, and to meet new members of the family. A great get together for sure.
Ending that day, Susan and I decided to try camping at Jerrell Cove (bottom of the map) for the night before driving on to Sequim for the next night. Jerrell Cove seems to be somewhat of a hidden gem as we walked and took in the area.
Once set up in our campsite, we noticed a perfect place to warm up for out Olympic event…
Susan does her best arabesque…
And I prepare for my flawless aerial cartwheel..
Simone Biles has nothing on us!
A walk around the camp and onto the dock shows a lot of beauty of the little bay off the Puget Sound.
Tide is out…
Lone heron searches for dinner…
On the other side of the dock there is a bit more water…
A short different trail takes us to a beach area where you can rent a kayak or paddle board or just sit and enjoy the beach.
Time to head out, we took a loop into a nearby small private campground. We visited the store, found how to reserve a space if we want to visit again, and saw this idyllic cottage in the woods.
Back on the road we continued our way to Sequim with a stop at a Bakery and Deli to pick up a little lunch to have along the way. The bench does have the name “Olympic Bakery and Deli” carved into the back. It’s a little hard to see it all.
Now on to Sequim for the Lavendar Festival bike ride that starts the next day. We would camp at Sequim Bay State Park with our friends Shelly & Lizette and would all ride the 35 mile route (I hoped) the next day. I will continue the next post with a recap of the day and the ride afterward.
Adventures with Nancy 