Anacortes to Port Hadlock (69km)

We were pleased to find excellent espresso in the lobby of the Ship Harbour Inn, which delayed our departure and gave us time to launch our blog.

In choosing this route south, we were looking forward to exploring Washington’s coastal islands and we are not disappointed. The scenery is spectacular! And as for the hills, well, this is the mountainous pacific coast after all! We are also interested to see the history and the preserved 19th c buildings (we have it on good authority that great shopping is to be found in these lovely Victorian towns, but unfortunately (says Lois), cycle touring leaves little time or room for shopping!)

We cycled down Hidalgo Island, crossing to Whidbey Island across the bridge at Deception Pass. Half way to Oak Harbour, we stopped for a second (decent) coffee at a drive-through espresso hut, a phenomenon that we noticed in several towns along the route.

At Oak Harbour, we went into the “historic downtown” to look for a cafe, but found the centre more old looking, than historic, and most places closed on Sunday. So, we sat on the curb and ate our standby oatcakes, cheese and apples. The afternoon ride was along the water, with a stop in the delightful town of Coupeville, for huckleberry ice cream and a vanilla milkshake (and a very quick look in a few shops by Lois). From there, it was straight to the ferry to Port Townsend, where we happened to arrive just as the ferry was about to depart. Port Townsend appears to be an attractive and once-bustling port, but weariness caused us to pedal on to Port Hadlock for the night.

We are staying on the traditional territory of the Klallum People.

 

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