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The next day I rode from Port Angeles to Bogachiel State Park, South of Forks,
Washington. On the way I passed Crescent
Lake, a beautiful mountain glacier lake, about 12 miles long and 600’ deep. The
road follows the edge of the lake for most of its length, and there are two special signs
for bicyclists regarding this stretch of highway. The first was regarding a push button
that would flash lights (presumably by the button) for one hour to let motorists know
there were bicyclists ahead. I decided not to push it out of fear that it would start the
log truck drivers salivating. The second sign cautioned bicyclists that there were no
shoulders for the next 12 miles by the lake, and asked that they use the pull-outs as
necessary to let traffic by. It wasn’t the best stretch of road I’ve been on,
but it wasn’t that bad either. West of Sappho, I noticed
another bicyclist in my rear view mirror maybe ¼ mile behind me. I figured he must be
traveling a little faster than I was, but going up hill and on level ground, he
didn’t seem to be gaining on me. Going downhill, however, was another matter. He
gained on me incredibly fast. I moved over to the right edge of the shoulder so he could
pull even (and talk) or go on by. When he pulled even, two people said "Hi"
– I had been overtaken by the tandem bicycle of Hap and Diane Eaton of Circleville,
Ohio. We talked and rode for the next half-hour and determined that we were all going to
the Forks area, so ended up sharing a campsite at Bogachiel SP. Later, after we were all
settled in at the campground, another bicyclist rode by our site and I recognized him as
one of my Greek friends. This time I finally got their names on paper – Alexis and
Konstantin (nickname Gunch). |
(Great
Adventures to Scenic Places)
