Genny so sorry to hear about the bee sting. I hope you recover soon

What was your position with your bikes as you waited for the ferry? This summer I was in the car line for 30-45 minutes. No one said a thing. Then when it was time to go, and I actually rode onto the ferry, I received a thorough scolding for being so unsafe as to ride on with the cars. That man came back and the end of the ride and stood right in front of me to (I presume) prevent me from being a scoff law as I debarked.

I think bicycle riders are treated nicely at borders. I hope that is still true. Of course, we are gambling Jacinto's American passport meets muster on our return. Mine too, for that matter.

Thanks Steve. Yes we do plan to ride the Lochside Trail to Sidney.

Hope you are aware of, and are planning to ride, the Lochside Trail up to the ferry. It is a scenic, and mostly off road, route north to Sidney.

You bring those memories right back! It's been a few years, but that caboose overnight was good for plenty of laughs. Note that it was in Canada and we had rain . . .

We’ve been over the Deception Pass bridge before. At least we’re going on the downhill direction.

You would enjoy a trip to southern Spain, where you find the freshest of fresh fruits and veggies, and a bidet in most hotels. These things confuse me a bit, because they have a spout that seems positioned to pour down your backside, but the bowl also commonly has a plug. Are you supposed to fill it first? The hotel commonly supplies a separate towel beside the unit, so while it may save on paper, it uses laundry more. Crocodile Dundee also had trouble understanding the thing, and I think I once found a Youtube tutorial. But after a brief one time infatuation, I gave up on it.

Another comment on your route, just so you're aware of it. Unless there have been improvements since we were there, Deception Pass Bridge is a pretty hair-raising crossing and a real bottleneck. There's a narrow sidewalk across it, but it's a tight squeeze with panniers. There's no real alternative though if you want to come onto the island from the north. Here's what it was like the last time we crossed it: https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/pdxbriefbreaks/seattle-to-bellingham/#2781_ea3b72ea1f702d367f3377795f0e4543

That looks to be true, Jim. There's a project to replace the bridge, and the project website says it's closed to all traffic, including pedestrians and bicycles. It isn't expected to be reopen until August.

Scott & Mark,
Near as I can tell, the bridge that connects with the road on the west side of Lake Samish is out and the road is closed. It’s not far out of our way to check it out, so we may do that. Closed doesn’t necessarily mean closed to bikes, as we know. I assume the last time you saw the bridge it was open?

Oh, you're starting in Silverdale! My first teaching gig's catchment area included where you are staying. I grew up in Bremerton. Silverdale is unrecognizable to me, anymore. Enjoy the rollers getting to the bridge.

Mark & Scott,
Thanks for the route input! I already had an alternate route along the dike prepared; it will now be implemented along with most of Mark’s suggestions. And I’ll take a look at Scott’s suggestion for south of Bellingham. Especially now that Mark has ratified it. Thanks again.
-Jim

Yes, ditto Scott's comment, and embedded map!

Dead-bang flat! Unfortunates, but a nice phrase. I like that.

An additional idea on avoiding Chuckanut Drive, similar to Mark's suggestion but following the western side of Lake Samish instead. Both sides of the lake are a fine ride but the west side is away from the highway and quieter. Rachael and I followed this route six years ago biking our way back to Portland from Victoria: https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/victoria2019/la-conner/.