Day 1 Sea-Tac to McCleary, WA

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Seattle to San Francisco

Day 1 Sea-Tac to McCleary, WA

Boeing Plant

I woke up at 5 a.m. I briefly contemplated going back to sleep. Instead I decided to get an early start. I checked out at 6:15 and hit the road. It was a smart move. The streets of Seattle were deserted. Except for one wrong turn, I had an uneventful ride to the ferry docks. Along the way I passed several Boeing plants.

Seattle Skyline

I got on the ferry across Puget Sound to Bremerton. A light rain started falling. Fortunately it ended by the tine we got to Bremerton.

Aircraft Carrier

I rode past the Naval Shipyard in Bremerton and saw a destroyer and three aircraft carriers. After Bremerton, I had a very long climb and descent to the town of Belfair where I followed the Hood Canal.

I ate lunch at Twanoh State Park. I saw a large gray bird roosted in a tree nearby. I think it was a pelican. I enjoyed magnificent views of the Olympic Mountains.

I continued along the Hood Canal to the town of Union. I had a decision to make. I could stop early at Potlatch State Park, or continue riding. A clerk in a store recommended a back road to Shelton. I asked if the road was hilly. He said it wasn't bad. Now I know better than to ask non-cyclists for road conditions much less BELIEVE and ACT on them! Except for today. Duh! The road immediately began a climbing a 10% grade for about 2 miles!

Wild Camp In Shelton, I bought fuel for my stove and other supplies. I picked up 101 south to 108. By this time, I'm getting tired. In McCleary I asked a couple of cops about camping. One of them actually suggested camping in the woods along the road. So that's exactly what I am doing. It beats paying $20 to pitch my tent next to some Q-Tip who wants to run his RV's generator all night.