DAY 51- Trail of Tears Closed and Templeton...

The night before I located the Lamp Liter Inn; no thanks to Google maps but after that I just didn’t feel like driving around.  In fact, I could use a drink after all of the construction and curvy road driving.  I got checked into the hotel which is just off of the freeway.  I instantly felt at home with the hum of the interstate traffic because for the last 5 years I had lived in an apartment where I could hear that familiar low drone.  There was a restaurant/bar on premises and I headed to the bar.  I ordered a nice pastrami sandwich with a beer and just relaxed as I sat at the bar.  I struck up a conversation after a bit with an older Latino couple and they were just a fun couple. 

Photo- The wonderful landscaping near the pool area at Lamp Liter Inn.

I sleep wonderfully with that hum of traffic and the next morning woke up refreshed.  The Lamp Liter Inn has been past its heyday but it was clean and had some nice landscaping.  There were cute little homey touches like- fake plants in the room and cute little tole paintings on the doors to the room.  But there was a shortage of plug ins and that was a bit of a challenge for a lamp top, cell phone, and etc.  There was also a very nice pool that I would’ve liked to enjoy but it was just a bit on the cold side.  I went over to the restaurant and had lunch while in the next booth a couple of local businessman talked about salvaging some fruit.  It was interesting hearing them talk and I just sat quietly eavesdropping. 

When I went to check out,turned in my key (an actual metal key) and I asked the clerk about something nearby where I could explore or check out for a couple of hours.  It wasn’t that far of a drive over to Templeton and I had told the Bed and Breakfast there that my expected arrival time would be about 4pm.  So I had a bit of time on my hands.  The clerk recommended a local park called Grove Park.  The park was a place along the “Trail of Tears” and there was also a museum on the premises and a huge Indian statue too.  It sounded perfect for what I was looking for.  I got the directions and headed out.

Photo- Grove Park's Trail of Tears statue as I took through fence posts. 

Photo- Yep! Another place that got the memo about my coming to town!

I got there to the entrance to the park and found that they had gotten the memo about me being in town too.  The park was closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  I found a parking spot just off the road and took a picture of the statue between the bars of the fence.  But it appears that the “Trail of Tears” was closed to me today.  Darn it!  I drove back through the town of Visalia which seemed like it had the usual city fare of shopping strip malls and restaurants; all of which was landscaped with a touch of palm trees.  I found the freeway and headed south wearily following the Google directions.

Photo- Some of the barren area but with a bit of hills.

I headed into a huge flat area with almost a nothing out there type of landscape.  It rather reminded me of the drive from Salt Lake City to Wendover, NV where you drive for miles with the Salt Flats to the north.  Only I will say that this nothingness did have warmer colors than the grays out by the Salt Flats.  The landscape was all a golden blond of dry flat but at least the sky was blue.  The landscape slowly turned to a bit more hilly but with the same colors.

I finally came to a small town that had a gas station and thought I had better fuel up since I didn’t know when the next station would be.  While there I asked the Latino man at the counter where the restroom was.  He pointed to the back and said all the way back and to your left.  I ended up going back in the stock room area where there was the dirtiest restroom ever.  I didn’t sit and I tried to touch as little as possible but when you got to go, you got to go.  I continued my drive towards Templeton. 

Photo- A wonderful ocean view just south of where the Hearst Castle turn off is.

As I got closer to Templeton the scenery really changed and became pretty.  It was about two hours earlier than what I had told the Bike Lane Inn to expect me.  I decided to check out this sign that said Hearst Castle 32 miles away.  I ended up going along some farms and vineyards on Hwy 46 on the way over to Hwy 1 where I ended up at the ocean beach.  It was a beautiful scenic drive.  I did eventually end up driving to the entrance of the California State Park entrance for Hearst Castle but it was terribly busy and I wanted to back in time to check in to my room at Bike Lane Inn.  So I turned around and headed back towards Templeton.

Photo- The very scenic vineyard area just outside of Templeton.

 

Bike Lane Inn is a wonderful little bed and breakfast that kind of caters to cyclists.  After I got settled in a bit, Elaine served me wine with crackers and cheese and sat down with me.  We pored over bike map routes that her and her husband had designed for the area.  There were several different distances and routes to choose from.  This was wonderful!  I wish I had gotten told them that I would’ve arrived sooner and then I could have gone out that night. But it was too late for that night.  Instead, I changed and walked down the four blocks to Templeton’s Main Street to find somewhere for dinner that night.

Photo- The inside of AJ's Spur with a wonderful old western saloon feel to it.

I decided to eat at A.J.’s Spur which was an old fashioned western restaurant/saloon.  I sat at the bar area and ordered a beer along with a bar special for dinner.  While I was still working on my dinner I got involved with talking to an older gentlemen named Ike who was taking care of some family business in the area.  We talked about the area of Templeton and my experience in Fresno and all matter of subjects.  The next thing I know it’s after 9PM and they are closing down the restaurant and bar. 

Due to the poor economy a great deal of places closed earlier.  If you wanted to actually go out to a bar in the area, you would have to drive to near Paso Robles and go to Applebee’s.  This rather floored me because I thought Utah could be bad for bars and people that liked to drink.  But then again, I wondered how much of it was done that way because everyone may have already been out wine tasting at various vineyards and may have already had enough to drink in one day.  Calling it a night, I walked back up the hill to the Bike Lane Inn.

DAY 36- Ave of Giants to Fort Bragg...

I started off the day exploring the Old Town Historic section of Eureka.  They had a Farmer’s Market going on.  It happens every Tuesday from 10AM to 1PM from June to October. I walked around and admired some of the buildings.  There seemed to be a fair amount of repairs being done on them.  I asked a man along the street if they were preparing for a special event or something.  He said no but that they have been doing a great deal of updating on quite a few of the buildings to make them more earthquake proof.  But that there were some that they were unable to repair and that those buildings displayed disclaimer tags in the window.  So if you were in one of them and an earthquake occurred you might be in trouble because the building could collapse.  Well, that’s good to know! 

Photo- Eureka's Tuesday Farmer's Market in Old Historic Town.

Photo- Some wonderful buildings in Old Historic Town in Eureka. 

Photo- Repairs and paint being carefully applied by local tradesman in Eureka.

I also walked down by the dock area just off of the Old Town Historic section.  There was a great deal of activity going on with the birds.  There was a huge group of ducks, gulls, and pelicans diving into the water.  It was like a feeding frenzy.  It was kind of strange.  There was no one around to ask but I did also see some people kayaking around the marina area.

Photo- The Aves of the Giants.

Photo- Inside the Eternal Treehouse.

Next on the list for the day was the Avenue of the Giants.  It’s an older section of Hwy 101 that runs through more of the Redwood forests.  It’s a very scenic section of road.  I stopped and took a couple of short hikes just off the side of the road.  It was very beautiful.  Then, I stopped at the Eternal Treehouse.  It’s a tree house that’s in the bottom area of large Redwood tree.  Then, I drove by a BIG Foot one stop shop that had all kinds of things on sale… too many to list here.  And later, I got to drive through a tree with my car.  Now, how cool is that!?!

Photo- Waiting my turn to drive through the tree.

It was as I was leaving, Chandler’s Drive Through Tree that I asked the gal how much further it was to Fort Bragg.  She said that it was about an hour and a half.  That should have been my first clue.  She didn’t give me the mileage but the time it took.  I got about 2 miles up the road and discovered why the 38 miles to Fort Bragg took you about an hour and a half. There was a sign that said no services for the next 28 miles.  That should have been my second clue!  You could me call me—TOT-AL-LY Clueless!  Let me sum it up this way…. It was an obstacle course in curves. 

The curves went anywhere from 15mph with an arrow on up to 30mph with a curved arrow.  The road climbed and climbed and climbed.  Then, it went down for a while.  But then, it climbed up.  Through the trees I could see mountains of forest land and there were areas where there were huge drops off to the side but I could never get a clear look because the forest was thick.  Then, the road curved more and more while going down.  I saw one cyclist that was pulled off in this section and I imagine that he was resting his hands from riding the breaks.  And I will say too that the road really had no shoulder.  All of it reminded me a bit of the Alpine Loop near Sundance in Utah; only there were no quaking Aspens and you were not going above a tree line.

Finally, I got to Fort Bragg and checked in at a cute bed and breakfast called Atrium Garden Inn.  I was showed my adorable room called the Buttercup which was a lovely mix of creamy yellows and prints.  It had a cute little private bath off to the side of it.  I changed really quickly and I was off to find someplace for dinner.

Photo- The adorable Bed and Breakfast I stayed at.

I found a local pizza place called Piaci’s where the locals go.  It was about a 5 block walk from the bed and breakfast.  I will warn you that it’s standing room only some nights.  I got there on a slower Tuesday night and there were 5 stools that are open.  I took one at a four top table where a couple was already seating.  This is not a place to wait for a hostess to sit you.  I watched one older non-local couple who stood by the door while locals went around them and just sat at available stools.  I ordered an 8” pizza called Nonni’s (wonderful pizza!) and a Heffie. 

As I was eating the couple that was sitting at my table left and three others with a little 2 yr. old girl sat at the table with me.  I met Louise a retired English teacher who had a younger married couple from Dublin, Ireland visiting with her.  It was really nice talking with her and getting to know about the local area and where to go.  She directed me to a local coffee place called Headings that had live Jazz music for the night that was about 2 blocks walking distance. 

Photo- This is a common thing to see in Fort Bragg. 
Their most common closed days are Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 

Headings was another locals place and I was surprised for a coffee like shop, they also served local beers in bottles.  You could ask for a glass for your beer if you wanted.  The Jazz music for the night consisted of a trio with a sax player, a drummer, and a cellist.  Later on in the evening they had another local that played piano that joined it.  It was a lovely way to finish the evening.  I walked back to my bed and breakfast.     

DAY 7- Sightseeing & Mani-Pedi!

I did my final early morning walk with Otis.  I’m moving onto staying at my friend Jean’s house to stay and visit with her.  The last of the relatives that came for the wedding had headed out back to their home.  While “poor homeless” me (don’t be alarmed- by my own choice) will be moving in for a bit with a friend and use it as a base to do some more sightseeing in the area.

Photo- The sign on the door at the Wildwood B&B.

And more sightseeing I did do, after I final had my last wonderful breakfast of waffles (My Fav!) with homemade strawberry syrup.  Yummy!  I tell you the Wildwood Farm B&B will be a hard place for any other B&B’s to beat.  I might just have to come back in two years after I have finished my trek. 

Photos- Libbey Beach Coast line.
 

After getting my car packed and a last check of email, I was out on the road to explore more of Whigby Island.  I ended up wandering around to West Beach Road where there were wonderful views as well as quite the large upscale homes; some almost mansions.  I always find it fun to see how the other half lives.  Next I wandered along to a looped drive that led to Libbey Beach.  I got out and walked around its rocky shore.  Off in the distance I could see large freightliner ships.  It was another wonderful day of weather here on the Island—sunny with an expected high in the low 70’s.

Photos- The cute Coupeville Old Town

Next, I wandered over to Coupeville and actually managed to find a parking space within a reasonable distance from the Old Town area.  I had drove through before but it was always packed and no available parking.  But this time, I figured it was a week day and late morning so I thought I would have more of a chance of getting a spot.

Hey- I did manage to find one; a parking spot within two blocks.  Off I went to walk and explore through the Old Town Coupeville area. The Old Town is a picturesque place.  I guess that this Old Town area has been used in several different movies; such as Practical Magic, the 1998 movie that starred Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman.  I had lunch out front of a deli called Bay Leaf; an enjoyable lunch of a fresh deli sandwich with a ginger beer.  Next, I went for an ice cream at the Ice Cream Shoppe.  They had a single ice cream for $2.75 which was three scoops served tall.  I enjoyed it near the dock and watched people and boats.

Photo- A sculpture along Old Main in Oak Harbor.

Then, I wandered over to Oak Harbor’s Old Main Street area.  Oak Harbor is the largest town on Whigby Island.  It has the largest commercial shopping areas that include chain stores and restaurants such as Kmart, Wal-Mart, McDonald’s, Burger King, Walgreens and several others. But with saying that it almost seems like the Old Main Street seems to be a bit of an afterthought.  There are only a few blocks along this street and some of the buildings are empty.  I did check out a very nice local artists gallery and a very good scrap booking with home décor store that were fun to go through.  I was a bit disappointed that The Noble Horse was closed.  It’s the store that’s tied in with the Wildwood B&B.

I still had a bit of time before I could meet Jean at her house, so I decided to do something about my rough and cracked heels.  I swung by the Nail Masters on Bayview Street in Oak Harbor and treated myself to a pedicure.  I had quite the experience.  I choose my nail color and then was directed to a chair to sit in; a chair that is a massaging chair.  So while I got my feet done, I also got my backside massaged.  It was a bit of pampering fun.  I also had the gal that did my pedicure, do a bit of nail art on my Big toes.  I was talking to a gal that arrived while I was soaking and pointed out her art on her Big toes.  She had these cute little flowers.  “I want those too!” I told the Filipino gal.  While she was doing that and I was looking at the clock, I thought I might as well have a manicure too.  So I also had her do that.  Yep, it was an afternoon of pampering!

Photo- My Pretty Big Toes after the pedicure!

 

DAY 6- Horseback Riding & Boat Rides...

I'm still on Whigby Island and ended up taking a bit of a different adventure for the day.  I had never been horseback riding.  I found out that there would be a family that was going out for a ride here at Wildwood Farm B&B, some for the first time too; and I thought why not?  Plus, there's a bit of a price break for more than two.  It sounded like an opportunity for me.  So after my usual morning walk with Otis and another amazing breakfast.  The highlight of this breakfast was cubed fresh watermelon with fresh mint, and feta cheese.  Yummy! I changed into my blue jeans and tennis shoes.

Photos- The pasture areas at Wildwood Bed & Breakfast.
 

I went up to the main barn after taking a few more photos of the farm.  I was a bit nervous but Lisa the instruction was very nice and inviting.  But I wasn't nearly as nervous looking as Oscar the young boy in the family that I joined.  Thank goodness they had a bit of stair step to get up onto the horse or I would've spent the whole hour trying to figure THAT out.  I had a calm horse called Vision.  Vision wasn't as tall as some that I had seen and I was glad of that.  It's always good to have a shorter distance to fall.

Photo- Oscar, one of my horse riding companion, looking a bit nervous.

Photo- Lily, Oscar's older sister, looking confident and ready.

Photo- Lily leading out her horse.

Photo- Lisa, the trainer, giving instructions to Jeanna as to proper sitting on horse. 
Note- the helpful stair step to get up on the horse.

Photo- Myself on Vision the horse.  Is that a goofy smile or what?

Lisa, the trainer held the two horses of the younger riders while Mom (Jeanna) and myself followed behind.  Jeanna's horse kept on wanting to stop to eat the fresh grass on the way along.  I was laughing because Jeanna would try to get her horse to go but it was SO much more interested in eating the salad.  I was saying," Salad bar break!"  We went along the road and up through the pasture areas towards a race track area.  We did a loop around the track then back through the pastures and up to the Happy Trail that went through the woods.  It really was a wonderful experience and I wasn't as bad as I thought I would be.  They were English saddles with out the horn on the saddle and you were supposed to sit more up right than in a western saddle I guess.  I didn't have any problems with sitting straighter and I was surprised how comfortable it was.

Photo- People fishing off the dock as I was waiting for my turn on Walt's boat tour.

Photo- Walt, Mr. Skipper for the day and looking totally at ease in his boat.

Photo- Deceptively calm looking water but with eddies and tidal pools
just under the surface under the Deception Pass Bridge.

Photo- Deception Pass Bridge as seen from across from a National Forest area path I hiked.

Later on, I met some of the wedding party.  Walt, Jean's new husband, was giving tours on his boat out by Deception Pass.  It was a bit chilly and overcast but it was still fun to be out over the water.  We went under the huge expansion bridge that spans the pass.  I asked Walt why it was called Deception Pass and he stopped the boat under the bridge and pointed out the water.  It looked deceptively calm but underneath you could see tidal pools going each and every direction.  I bet the sailors in the olden days hated coming through here.  Next he took us over to some logs that were tied together where sea otters like to hang out.  The logs are cut down, tied together and then sent out on the bays where they are eventually sent some where to be processed.  The sea otters take advantage of these little floating log islands to "sun" themselves.

Photo- Sea Otters "sunning" themselves.

DAY 5- Jean's Wedding on Whigby Island

Photo- Myself, Jean, and various wedding guests.

I went for another early morning walk with Otis.  He took me along the back of the of the Wildwood Farm Bed & Breakfast property to a trail aptly named Happy Trail.  The B&B is on Happy Valley Road.  The trail winds through a large wooded area.  Its beautiful green and woodsy.  I ended up turning around when the 5 paths verged in the forest area and I was unsure which one to take.  I didn’t want to get lost in the woods, though I would imagine that Otis would have showed me the way back.

Photo- The stairs from the Rocky Point Lodge area down to the beach.

I came back to a wonderful amazing breakfast of fresh honeydew melon, bacon, breakfast potatoes, and French toast stuffed with blackberries with a bit of cream cheese.  All of it was terribly yummy!  Otis didn’t partake of very much leftovers from this breakfast.

I kind of just hung out around the B&B—caught up on email, a bit of blogging, uploaded some photos, wrapped up a wedding present, and other misc. things.  I wanted to be available to help if Jean needed help getting ready.  She said they were going over at 10am to start set up.  I had taken a shower and was getting ready to head over about 11am when she called and said they had it all set up.  Okay, so I hung out a little more doing a little reading and then trying to figure out what to wear to a casual wedding. 

Photo- Wedding guests along the beach area.

The day’s weather was beautiful—sunny and not a cloud in the sky.  The perfect day for a wedding.  The wedding was held at a place called Rocky Point.  It’s a large wood cabin lodge just above a beach area on the opposite side of the Island from where my B&B is located.  It was maybe about an 8 mile drive over to it.

I arrived to a hive of activity taking place.  A rock band was setting up, people were putting out coolers with beverages, the keg of beer was on ice, and all kinds of people like me were taking photos of the amazing view from near the lodge area.

Photo- Some of the kids from the wedding party playing at the beach.

The ceremony was to take place at 2pm but got delayed because of guests being late of lost trying to find the place.  At 2:30pm, the small lovely simple ceremony took place in an area inside the lodge while the guests sat at shell decorated tables.  Walt and Jean held hands facing each other as the minister talked.

After that, they opened a buffet line that had macaroni salad, potato salad, corn bread, smoked pulled chicken, smoked pulled pork, and an apricot based BBQ sauce.  Walt’s son had smoked and cooked the meat and also made the bbq sauce.  It was all just wonderful and everyone went around and visited.  I got to meet quite a few of Jean’s family from the Oregon area.

Photo- Jean's daughter Christa, with a cousin being silly along the beach area.

Shortly after eating the band started up and some were dancing, some were just listening, and others went down to walk along the beach where you could still hear the band.  The band played tunes from the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s.  It was just wonderful. 

As the sun started to drop towards the horizon, so did the temperature.  After watching the beautiful sunset out over the water, and as the band played their last tune; I found myself chilled to the bone in my skort.  I got in my car and headed back to the B&B for the night.  I guess I should have worn the blue jeans that Jean had suggested.  But overall, it was a wonderful event and I guess they have more planned for the next day too.

Photo- The amazing sunset at the end of Jean's wonderful wedding day!

DAY 4- Exploring Whigby Island...

Photo- My faithful morning walk companion Otis.  A resident at Wildwood Farm B&B.

I woke about 6am again and had a nice little walk with my morning walk companion, Otis.  He took led me along a different area of the horse pastures.  I came back to the B&B and had another wonderful breakfast of sweet bread, fresh bananas with strawberries, sausage, breakfast potatoes, and an everything veggie omelet.  Again, I couldn’t finish all of what I was served but I found out that my friend Otis gets to enjoy the leftovers, so I didn’t feel as bad.

I decided to do a bit of exploring in my car.  I drove over to the south end of the Island to where the ferry leaves for Seattle.  I did a typical Utahan illegal U turn; anyone from Utah will know what I mean.  I really think U turns are the only way to get around in Utah.  I found a little bike shop in Bayview town on the way south and stopped to get a new mirror for my glasses.  I had misplaced the one I had.

Photos- of Langley town's Main Street area.

Next I took the turn for Langley town.  I parked just off of the Main Street area near a beach area.  It’s a cute little scenic community and I went through some shops.  I also went down to the public access beach area and walked around for a bit.  Langley had a great deal going on and was in the process of clearing the parking stalls along the Main Street for an event.  I could see parking becoming an issue later on in the day.  I found this cute little Swiss Bakery tucked back in from the Main street area.  Everything looked SO good but I finally decided on a strawberry square and a black coffee.  The strawberry square had cut strawberries on top, a thin layer of chocolate, a layer of cake with an almond cream layer in the middle of the cake and a crushed almond baked crust.  I took it over by the beach found a bench and enjoyed it and the view.  Yummy!

Photo- Langley's public beach area.

Then I drove more north and took a left on Fish Road.  Well, Fish Road led to Mutiny Bay.  Go figure! Mutiny Bay was very pretty but I was surprised to see tsunami warnings in the area.  It was lower and it was on the Ocean side of the Island.  I was also surprised to see a great deal of building going on.

Next, I turned off at Greenbank Farm.  There, I visited a few art galleries and a cheese store.  AND of course, the wine store.  It was late enough in the day that I did a bit of wine tasting.  I have to laugh because when I told the gal behind the counter I was from Utah.  She took each wine that she had poured out and poured a little more into each glass.  “Here you go sweetie.  You poor thing, you need a bit more then.”  I had to laugh.

I drove further north and turned off at Ebey Landing Overlook.  It’s a ridge that you can see for miles. At the overlook you can see farms, houses, fields of trees, and off to the right the sea.  Just an amazing view! I had a bit of a laugh because on the way out I see a house where there’s a combine tractor pulled up in a stall right next to the house.  I could see it by a barn or out in the yard but right next to a house.  It just struck me as quirky.  On that same ridge is one of the oldest cemeteries in the area.  The first gravestone is from 1863 and the cemetery has a great deal of history to it.  The cemetery is called Sunnyside.  It seems like a cheerful name for such a morbid place.  I found it interesting how there was cement curbing or white picket fences around the family plots.

The other highlight of the day was dinner.  I stopped to have dinner at the BBQ Joint.  It’s a couple from the south that moved to Whigby Island and there was no REAL BBQ in the area.  Well, they brought it here. They brought the REAL Southern BBQ to the area.  The brisket I especially enjoyed.  The atmosphere is very laid back and help yourself.  The counter where you order is at the back and then you take your food to a table up near the front.  You have your choice of tables or booths.  A TV plays the blues and jazz for music and it just feels comfortable and easy.  A perfect way to finish a day of sightseeing. 

DAY 3-- On Whigby Island...

I woke up around 6AM to the pure sound of silence.  It’s so peaceful here at this Wildwood FarmBed & Breakfast.   In fact, I felt like my heart rate fell just as I drove down the valley where the B&B is located.  It’s surrounded by evergreen forests and there are large fenced off areas with pastures.  Horses and a few colts are frolicking around the pastures.  It’s just amazing.

I took a walk in the morning around the B&B with Otis; an older dog that resides at the B&B.  Of course, Otis wanted me to throw his rubber squeaking toy in the shape of a female chicken with a bathing suit on.  I said okay but I throw like a girl.  He didn’t seem to mind.  After a few throws then he started leading me off on a tour of the farm.  He would lead the way and then stop.  He would take a look over his shoulder as if to say, “Well, are you coming or what?”  So I followed Otis around and he led me on a loop around some of the Pastures.  I even got to pet and talk with a couple of horses along the way.

Shortly after returning from my walk breakfast was ready.  Another AMAZING thing about the Wildwood Farms is the breakfast.  It started out with fresh ground strong coffee just the way I like it.  Then apiece of raspberry sweet bread; followed by vanilla yogurt with granola topped with fresh black berries.  Then it was a waffle (You KNOW how I LOVE my waffles!) that was served up with a homemade black berry syrup.  Also, served was breakfast potatoes and bacon.  I was a bit disappointed that my stomach wasn’t larger because it was all SO good.

About mid breakfast, as I sitting there eating and watching the horses frolic in the pasture, a fog literally rolls in.  The B&B owner told me that it was the marine layer and that’s what keeps the temperatures so mild here.  He went on to explain that it usually will “burn off” as the day goes on. It will last anywhere from an hour to 8 hours depending on the time of year.

I went on talking with the owner.  He bought the property about 18 years ago as an investment.  His daughters, all three now grown; started taking horse riding lessons.  “Well, one thing led to another and this,” he pointed out to the pastures around,” is the result.” The horse part of the farm basically breaks even at best, but it is the B&B and horse tack/clothing/gifts store that keeps things really going.  I guess that as of tomorrow evening I will not be the only guest at the B&B.  They have had most of the summer weekends this year booked solid, and I can understand.  If you are up this way and need a relaxing place to stay…this would be ideal!

Shortly after breakfast the fog lifted and I managed to get out for a bike ride.  It was a bit chilly and windy. There’s a great deal of rolling hills on the Island and a bike ride is a workout.  It was just what I needed after that breakfast.  I managed a little over 20 miles and rode north from the B&B to Dugualla Bay with some beautiful views.  It was wonderful and I only had 4 stop signs along the route that I took; almost like a biker’s paradise.