After spending a night without neighbors at the hiker-biker camp at Washington State Park, I was awakened at 6:30AM by a herd of deer sniffing at my tent without any fear of a human being nearby. After a few minutes their curiosity was satisfied and the unexpected visitors scampered off.
I rode two miles to the ferry terminal which serves the San Juan Islands. The Cheesecake Cafe at the terminal serves fairly decent coffee. Earlier, I scarfed up two of Debbie''s scones. I had a latte and banana prior to my 9:35AM departure to Lopez Island.
I did the ride around Lopez Island counter-clockwise. Just about every island starts out with a hill to climb from the ferry terminal. Lopez is the most rural of the three main islands covering 30 square miles. The 2350 natives are natives are friendly. The local custom is to wave to passing motorists. It is a mecca for bicycling because most of the roads are lightly traveled by cars and the local drivers are bike friendly. I found doing the loop around the island to be surprisingly hilly...with several hills that test the cardiac system. In the last weekend of April, the Island hosts the Tour de Lopez, a non-competitive bike tour around the island.
The first stop was Lopez Village where most of the limited services on the island are available. I stopped at Cafe La Boheme for an espresso drink. Holly B's Bakery was next door but I resisted. Next, I stopped at the Lopez Bicycle Works, a shop with a small inventory but they also rent bikes and kayaks.
I rode past the Lopez Islander Resort Marina located on Fisherman Bay which, in addition to lodging offers overnight guest moorage and restaurant moorage in their small marina. There is a bigger private marina next door.
My next stop was the Shark Reef Sanctuary on the southwest side. I parked my bike at the park entrance and and walked about 15 minutes on a steep winding trail to get there ... very wild and scenic place. For a bit of lunch and a local draft, I stopped at the Southend General Store and Restaurant. The was friendly and they serve recipes made from fresh local ingredients, draft beer, wine and homemade baked goods.
I stayed two nights at Spencer Spit State Park and got chance to hike around the area and spent a few hours on the beach.
There are 14 places for accommodations and nine restaurants on the island. Accommodations consist of a motel, B&Bs, inns, cottages and vacation home rentals.
I rode two miles to the ferry terminal which serves the San Juan Islands. The Cheesecake Cafe at the terminal serves fairly decent coffee. Earlier, I scarfed up two of Debbie''s scones. I had a latte and banana prior to my 9:35AM departure to Lopez Island.
I did the ride around Lopez Island counter-clockwise. Just about every island starts out with a hill to climb from the ferry terminal. Lopez is the most rural of the three main islands covering 30 square miles. The 2350 natives are natives are friendly. The local custom is to wave to passing motorists. It is a mecca for bicycling because most of the roads are lightly traveled by cars and the local drivers are bike friendly. I found doing the loop around the island to be surprisingly hilly...with several hills that test the cardiac system. In the last weekend of April, the Island hosts the Tour de Lopez, a non-competitive bike tour around the island.
The first stop was Lopez Village where most of the limited services on the island are available. I stopped at Cafe La Boheme for an espresso drink. Holly B's Bakery was next door but I resisted. Next, I stopped at the Lopez Bicycle Works, a shop with a small inventory but they also rent bikes and kayaks.
I rode past the Lopez Islander Resort Marina located on Fisherman Bay which, in addition to lodging offers overnight guest moorage and restaurant moorage in their small marina. There is a bigger private marina next door.
My next stop was the Shark Reef Sanctuary on the southwest side. I parked my bike at the park entrance and and walked about 15 minutes on a steep winding trail to get there ... very wild and scenic place. For a bit of lunch and a local draft, I stopped at the Southend General Store and Restaurant. The was friendly and they serve recipes made from fresh local ingredients, draft beer, wine and homemade baked goods.
I stayed two nights at Spencer Spit State Park and got chance to hike around the area and spent a few hours on the beach.
There are 14 places for accommodations and nine restaurants on the island. Accommodations consist of a motel, B&Bs, inns, cottages and vacation home rentals.
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