In Sequim: the lavender loop

August 4, 2019

Perhaps we’ve been on the road together too long.

Walking to dinner tonight, as a way to pass the time I began broaching an idea for a tour that I’ve been mulling. Not yet two sentences into my pitch, Rachael forcefully interjects “B!”. Hilarious laughter from both of us breaks out immediately, and lasts us until we get two blocks closer to dinner.

The reference is to this short clip shared with us two weeks ago by Keith at the largest CycleBlaze BBQ to date.

Before that though was the ride. We’re in Sequim for two nights to allow time for a leisurely ride through its regionally famous lavender fields. It’s perhaps just a bit of a stretch to market themselves as America’s Provence, but they do put on a good show. There are about ten lavender fields scattered nearby, leveraging Sequim’s surprisingly mild climate here in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains.

We’re here at an excellent time to enjoy the show. The lavender is in full bloom, and yesterday was the Tour de Lavender, the premier cycling event in the region. It’s nice to come along on the day after, when the roads aren’t cluttered up with a hoard of other bikers.

We enjoyed a very leisurely day, stopping frequently to admire the fields or the seaside views looking out over Dungeness Bay and its incredibly long spit. We’re taking it easy while we can, hopefully storing something up for the climb up Hurricane Ridge that looms just two days down the road.

For lunch we stopped at Jardin du Soleil, hoping that they’d have cold drinks available - we should have gotten an earlier start, and by early afternoon it was getting uncomfortably warm. There was only one option available - lavender flavored lemonade, offered on a contribution basis by two wholesome looking young girls sitting at a stand in the shade. We found our own shady spot and enjoyed a nice break, gazing at the colorful display and watching the free range chickens scratch away in the dirt for their midday meal until we were ready to brave the heat again.

The big climb of the day, up the shoulder of Bell Hill (off to the left, outside the frame). Not as bad as it looks - we’ll turn left at the base of the ridge and double back the other side of the hill.

At Purple Haze Lavender Farm, posing in front of a western red cedar. A submission for this month’s Cycle365 challenge, on the theme of ‘Virtual Arboretum’.

Image not found :( — At the Purple Haze Lavender Farm

Theories on what this structure is? It reminds me of the Port Townsend fire tower.

Another small lavender farm. We've seen several tucked away in the hills here.

Jardin du Soleil, where we broke for lunch.

At Jardin du Soleil: lavender and dried poppies.

A killdeer, Dungeness Bay. I was excited about this - they’re a fairly common bird, but I never see them in time to get a decent photo.

On 3 Crabs Road. Not the most interesting photo, but I just liked the name of the road and wanted to include it.

The Dungeness Schoolhouse. Now a museum, it was active from 1893 to 1955. At first it had one teacher (who lived in the school) and 63 students, aged 5 to 20. The school operated on a very tight budget - a town council resolution was required to authorize buying the school a bottle of ink.

Just someone’s wildly colorful front yard.

Video sound track: Nefertiti’s Dream, by Susan Werner

One last time. From top to bottom: the sky, Vancouver Island, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Dungeness Spit, Dungeness Bay, the ground beneath my feet.

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Ride stats today: 39 miles, 1,500’; for the tour: 729 miles, 32,900’

Today's ride: 39 miles (63 km)
Total: 717 miles (1,154 km)

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Suzanne Gibson"B"! I love that!!!
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4 years ago

Keith ClassenI am very curious as to the proposed tour that resulted in a emphatic “B” response by Rachael.
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4 years ago

Scott AndersonTo Keith ClassenWell, that’s funny too. I was going to propose realigning the dates for a tour we’re considering for next autumn (2020), and she had been planning to bring the same idea up herself. Some might feel a bit sheepish at this, but Rachael doesn’t really do sheepish.
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4 years ago

Jen RahnMe too!
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4 years ago