I basically have three options: camping, motels, or Warm Showers. WS is a web site that allows cyclists to find people (usually fellow cyclists) that will allow you to stay on their property for the night. The range of services can vary from allowing you sleep in their barn to welcoming you into their home. Since the Pacific NW has been pretty rainy I have decided not to camp out yet. Also part of the fun is meeting new people so I have avoided motels for the first two nights
Night one I stayed with Alfred Currier, a successful artist who also use to own a bike store. There is a picture below I took in his zen garden with him and his niece. He allows WS guests to stay in the loft over his art studio which also has its own shower and kitchen. Al hosts people almost very other night because Anacortes is the starting point of the Northern Tier and for people going down the west coast. He not only filled me with knowledge about what lay ahead for me, but he also made me a pizza and beer dinner! There is a picture below of how he decorated the trailer he uses to go to art shows
Last night was a crazier night. Rob Klengler states on the WS site that he is the last stop before the next town 80 miles ahead. You pull into his driveway which is off a dirt road that is off another dirt road. I did start to question my decision. But then i arrived at these beautiful gardens and this unique little home and I felt safe. Rob gave me a tour of his complex which include the outhouse, the greenhouse where we had dinner with his partner, and the trailer where I slept. The trailer is in the garage structure that includes a banner of Rob hanging from it! Rob was a computer tech at Xerox where he invented the very successful 200 pages a minute double sided copier in the 80s.
I usually get on the road early, especially considering the ride I have ahead of me today. But last night Rob insisted that it is too cold to ride first thing in the morning and that he traditional makes German pancakes for his WS guests. Rob has biked the Northern Tour and knows how important carbo loading is. And considering there are no stops for the next 80 miles, I will sleep in and eat his pancakes!
I googled “Warm Showers”….I think it was a very different website that I found…..
Awesome Ken! Great start on all fronts…glad to hear you are already making the most of the experience. Keep the posts coming…inspiring!
Just logged on and caught up with all your entries. AMAZING!!!! I hope the pancakes were great! Maybe you should also start a food blog of all your meals!!!
The trip sounds awesome so far!
This is so exciting, everyday, at the office, I say where’s Waldo?
What a great start to your trip!!!! I’m soooo envious. Great job Kenny Boy!
Did you stay with Al in Anacortes on Sunday? I recognize that T@B trailer in the photo!
Wow, with the sun coming out I thought you would have a good day Monday. Sounds like a cold, long schlep. It will get so much easier, really. Good luck!
Hey Ken, beautiful pictures & great story telling!! Keep up the amazing job!!!