Overnight Escape From Seattle
Posted by Louise Kornreich | Tags: Routes & Rides , Washington
After reading about Bike Overnights and S24Os on the Adventure Cycling blog, my friend Todd and I dreamed up a way to take a mid-week break to an island while not having to take any vacation time from work. We would ride to work with our bikes fully loaded for a night of camping, slave all day at our desks (or not), and ride down to the Seattle ferry dock to depart for Bainbridge Island in the early evening.
And that's exactly what we did. Once on the island, we loaded up at the grocery store with food to cook (salmon), bread, cheese, and wine. The route to Fay Bainbridge Park is bucolic and the least hilly of many areas on the island. It mostly hugs the shores of Puget Sound and allows for many views to the north (e.g., Mount Baker) and east (the Cascade Range). At the park, we cooked dinner and watched the moon rise over Mount Rainier, then set up our tents at a site right near the beach.
We were rewarded with the sound of the water, and waves from passing boats, lulling us to sleep.
The next morning, after watching the sunrise, we had a quick snack and packed up to head back to town for breakfast.
While the area's commuters were queuing up for the ferry, we lingered over breakfast, then rolled down the ramp and onto the waiting boat, heading back to the city. Although it was another day of work we were headed to, our close-in adventure had made us feel like we were on vacation.
Tip for this adventure: For breakfast on Bainbridge Island, visit Streamliner Diner, which opens early.
Favorite local bike shop: Classic Cycles, Bainbridge Island.
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