Whatcom (and Skagit) Wild
The bike jumped forward as I snapped out of the left hand corner and down toward the Oyster Creek Inn on Chuckanut Drive. Rocketing past the Taylor Shellfish turnoff, I layed the bike over as far as I dare to arc right and across the classic bridge over Oyster Creek. Any thoughts I've ever had that staying fit and strong was a hassle or a sacrifice seemed totally ludicrous. Suffice it to say that the benefits far outweigh the costs.
Snapping upright after the bridge, I jumped onto the pedals and stood to power over the next hill without downshifting, carrying my joy and giddy glee right past the Oyster Bar, Chuckanut Manor and out into the Skagit flats.
Although it was a sunny summer Sunday, traffic was light and I was able to enjoy the sun dappled madrones, the sandstone cliffs, and views of Cypress, Samish and other San Juan islands that lay west of the Chuckanut coast.
The shoulder near the start of the trail to the Oyster Dome and the hang glider launch was packed with cars for several hundred yards. This is an accident waiting to happen; a proper trail head with parking or some sort of public transportation option is needed here. I watched for opening doors and random pedestrians as I glided past thinking of my morning ride up the Lily and Lizard Lakes trail and back down Max's Shortcut. The fog was in on our way up but burned off just in time to help me clear the large step up rock with a left turn on top for the very first time.
The beauty and thrill of riding Chuckanut Drive and hiking and biking in the Chuckanuts reminded me of Mt. Tamalpais above San Francisco. There I saw bikers climbing and descending in steady traffic and met lots of folks on the trails on a recent trip to visit legendary pack maker Brent Harris and watch the Mountain Play. The Marin Headlands look out to the Pacific, the Chuckanuts let you stand in the Cascades and and touch the Salish Sea. Both are awesome and inspiring, and I feel lucky to share these local treasures with a lot less people.
Pushing against the wind to the Rhododendron Cafe across the Skagit flats, I watched a hang glider touch down before turning right to Edison where Sue waited in the sun beside the slew in the beer garden behind the Longhorn Saloon. A cold brew and some fresh oysters were a great way to wind down before catching a ride back home to Bellingham.
Every crank of the pedals winds me up with energy and delight like turning the crank on one of those fancy hand powered radios. Stay tuned for more transmissions from Wild Splendor FM!
Snapping upright after the bridge, I jumped onto the pedals and stood to power over the next hill without downshifting, carrying my joy and giddy glee right past the Oyster Bar, Chuckanut Manor and out into the Skagit flats.
Although it was a sunny summer Sunday, traffic was light and I was able to enjoy the sun dappled madrones, the sandstone cliffs, and views of Cypress, Samish and other San Juan islands that lay west of the Chuckanut coast.
The shoulder near the start of the trail to the Oyster Dome and the hang glider launch was packed with cars for several hundred yards. This is an accident waiting to happen; a proper trail head with parking or some sort of public transportation option is needed here. I watched for opening doors and random pedestrians as I glided past thinking of my morning ride up the Lily and Lizard Lakes trail and back down Max's Shortcut. The fog was in on our way up but burned off just in time to help me clear the large step up rock with a left turn on top for the very first time.
The beauty and thrill of riding Chuckanut Drive and hiking and biking in the Chuckanuts reminded me of Mt. Tamalpais above San Francisco. There I saw bikers climbing and descending in steady traffic and met lots of folks on the trails on a recent trip to visit legendary pack maker Brent Harris and watch the Mountain Play. The Marin Headlands look out to the Pacific, the Chuckanuts let you stand in the Cascades and and touch the Salish Sea. Both are awesome and inspiring, and I feel lucky to share these local treasures with a lot less people.
Pushing against the wind to the Rhododendron Cafe across the Skagit flats, I watched a hang glider touch down before turning right to Edison where Sue waited in the sun beside the slew in the beer garden behind the Longhorn Saloon. A cold brew and some fresh oysters were a great way to wind down before catching a ride back home to Bellingham.
Every crank of the pedals winds me up with energy and delight like turning the crank on one of those fancy hand powered radios. Stay tuned for more transmissions from Wild Splendor FM!
Comments
Post a Comment