The Ocean Cures All

Happy 4th of July! I woke up as Lance was stirring in his tent.  Amy said she wanted to sleep a bit more but changed her tune when she discovered the time.  We all started getting ready.  I wanted to get going but decided I would try to boot up my rear tire.  Lance gave me one of his boots and  I threw in one of the keychain thingies.  I pumped the tire up to about 30 and it looked like it would get me where I needed to go.  I guess looks can be deceiving.  I got exactly one mile before the tire blew.  I pulled over to a safe area right by this awesome smelling cedar mill.

I decided to do what I thought of doing but wanted to avoid doing because the doing was more doing than I wanted to do just then.  But now I had no choice.  I swapped my passenger side tire to the rear, and the booted tire to the front.  I patched the tube but used my good spare tube.  One of the guys at the cedar mill arrived and asked if I needed anything.  He said they had tools if I needed.  I said I was fine and continued working.  I saw Lance and Amy ride by.  They didn't see me but I was fine and didn't want to delay them.  Getting the rear tire back on was a chore, but as Napoleon said, "Go slow, I'm in a hurry!"

Once I was done, my hands were a mess.  I went to see if I could wash my hands at the cedar mill, Haciendo (something like that) and Armando.  They only had a hose but I used sawdust to rub off the grease on my hands at Haciendo's suggestion.

I caught up with Amy and Lance as they were having lunch on the side of the road.  We pushed out soon after but this is where Lance taught me about thanking the spot where you stayed for any length if time, so as not to lose anything.  I would make it a habit to say, "Thanks spot!" And hope a dog doesn't run out to tackle me when I do.  It's also when Amy shared her Neumonic story/dance which I caught on video this time.  I also got this picture.

I was a lot slower than them but that was okay.  I ended up not going down to Ruby Beach but did turn in the stretch and stand on a picnic table to see if I could see the sea.  I could! Right over the bushes!

It wasn't too long after that that I was right up beside the sea and could see the beach.  I couldn't wait to get to Kalaloch to swim!

There was a turn off to see a big cedar, but the beginning of it was really rocky and bumpy, and I was cautious of my tire, so I decided against it.  When I got to Kalaloch, the campground was full.  I asked if I could look around for my friends.  I circled one of the loops and when I got back, Amy and Lance were there. Turns out I passed them at the big cedar. Willie didn't want to turn us away and he gave us a nice sunny spot that fit 3 biker/hikers just fine!  Thanks Willie!!!

After we set up our site we headed down to the beach.  It was great to be do close to the water.  

I don't think Amy and Lance thought I would actually swim, but I did!  It took some getting used to, and I flapped my arms from the cold, but eventually I adjusted and began to body surf.  

After I snap seeded my photos, Amy asked if I wanted to learn Casino, a card game she and Lance had been playing.  We did an open hand and then started playing.  I won 3 straight before we called it quits.  Lance said it took him a while before he beat Amy.

When I realized I might miss seeing my first sunset, I went over to see.  I ended up talking to Ali and then her girlfriend Anna when she joined us.  Their friends told us we should all go, "Down there." to see it from the beach.  

I told Amy and Lance about the plan and then ran to join the others.  I didn't take a shot but had an earlier shot from when we thought we missed it.

Amy showed up and we walked along the beach.  Although the sand was not white, it was like powder and felt amazing on my feet.  

Farther along the beach we spotted a really cool tree that was hanging between the two bluffs.  Everyone was taking photos under it!

I hit the hay early-ish so I could get up early and see the Big Cedar.