Day 3

There’s not a lot to report today. As rides go, it was a fairly short one. The meandering and recreational pace was a welcome change. The rain last night didn’t interrupt my sleep, but my wet tent fly weighted down my panniers. I was happy to finally reach Raymond and see Willapa Bay. Since I left the Artic campground without coffee this morning, I stopped to eat just as the sun began to eat the clouds. Outside of Raymond there is a short bicycle trail that could use some maintenance, but it kept me off of 101 and put me along the Willapa’s edge instead.

Found out that the county campground in Bay Center hadn’t opened yet, so I reserved a cabin at the KOA instead. When I arrived, my basic cabin wasn’t available so I got “upgraded” to one with a bathroom. On my way to the KOA, I stopped at one of the many shellfish stores here in Bay Center and picked up a half dozen scrumptious pacific oysters for $3.50. 

Compared to Seattle, it seems like early spring here, maybe two weeks behind. Lots of frogs croaking along the road in bogs and ponds. Willow catkins are just popping out and the skunk cabbage flowers are just starting to appear. Some yards have daffodils in bloom, but no tulips yet. 

After getting settled into my cabin, I rode to the county park and attempted to look for birds from a protected small beach. The first thing I saw was something that may have been a marbled murrelet cruise into a tall old fir growing above a bluff. I tried to locate it with my binoculars, but it was gone. I wish I could have made a positive ID since I’ve never seen one.

Have a nice evening!