Seattle, WA to Everett, WA

On Monday morning, I left Michael's and Brett's house early to cycle to Everett, WA. Two members of the cycling group, Ron and Zach met me, about a third of the way to Everett. The three of us cycled the remainder of the way together. Everett is the town where we officially start our cross country cycling trip tomorrow. The main reason I cycled to Everett today, even though I'd be cycling back to Seattle tomorrow, was to meet the other cyclist and attend the farewell events.

New Adventure - Seattle WA

I arrived in Seattle a few days prior to connecting with the cycling group and starting the cross-country bike trip to hangout with Michael (l) and Brett (r). The flight to the west coast was fine. My plane arrived on time, Saturday evening around 9:45 PM. My luggage also arrived but my bike did not. Continental Airlines had no idea where my bike was, but assured me that when it did arrive, they would deliver it to Michael's and Brett's house. Okay no sweat, that evening, I tagged along with Michael and Brett to a birthday party with was lots of food and drink. The next morning, first thing, I contacted Continental again. They still did not know where my bike was and that's when I began to worry. I was schedule to cycle to Everett WA, a town 45 miles north of Seattle, to meet the other cyclists on the bike tour the following day, Monday. Not having a bike I didn't know what I was going to do - rent one or purchase a new one or not go on the trip? After multiple calls to the Continental Airline throughout the day, and almost a full day of fretting and aggravation of trying to decide what I'd do if the bike did not arrive, around 3 PM I called Continental to find out my alternatives, and they told me my bike arrived in Seattle - a huge sigh of relief.

Panniers

Check List

Camping Equipment
Lightweight Tent
Sleeping Bag w/ Liner
Thermorest
Small Stove w/ Propane Fuel
Cook Kit and Fork/Knife/Spoon
Bungee Cords

Bike Equipment
Front and Back Racks & Panniers
Seat Bag for Tool Kit
Bike Lock
Bike Odometer
Waterproof Shoe Covers
4 Water Bottles and 2 cages

Leisure Clothes
1 short sleeves shirt
1 pair of shorts/long zipper pants
2 T-shirts
1 warm over shirt
4 changes of underwear
2 pairs of socks
1 pair of sandals
1 swimsuit

Cycling Clothes
2 short-sleeve jerseys
2 pairs of cycling shorts
1 pair of light long underwear
1 pair of light weight Gore-Tex wind/rain pants and jacket
1 pair of cycling shoes
1 pair padded cycling gloves
3 pairs of socks
1 pair of sunglasses
1 helmet and rain cover/warmer/liner

Personal Items
toilet kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, deodorant.)
sun screen
bug repellent
camera – battery charger
computer – battery charger
cell phone – battery charger
notebook & pens
monetary media (credit card, and bank card)
driver's license
health insurance and 800#
towel
sew kit

Tool Kit
Crank Brother (3, 4, 5, 6, 8 Allen wrenches, regular and Phillips screwdrivers)
wrenches (10 mm and 15 mm)
chain break tool and spoke wrench
2 spare tubes
3 patch kits with fresh glue
tire tools
tire pump
tire pressure gauge
pen knife

Ocean City, NJ

I spent few days visiting with my brother, sister-in-law and their two kids in Ocean City, NJ. They rented a beach house for the week with a few extra rooms. I mooched one of them. The weather was a little cloudy, but not being a huge beach person, it didn't really matter. I spent most of the time hanging around the house writing on my laptop. We also check out “Superman Returns” and “Devil Wears Prada”. "Superman Returns" was okay, but not great, "Prada" was very entertaining thanks to Miranda Priestly (aka Meryl Streep).

H

Father's Day