This past weekend started a little earlier than I really cared for. I ended up leaving my bicycle corporate job and the good news was that we were able to do a bit longer weekend! Since our friend Mike was itching to go camping and to get away for a couple of days, he decided to tag along. It was nice since we also decided to do a very dumb thing as well. We tried to camp with our kitty.
I decided to leave Friday morning as we knew that it was going to be a busy weekend. The temps in the Puget Sound Area this week hit around 90 degrees and that is something that we are just not accustomed to. Lots of people were going to be out and about so we knew that we needed to get a head start. I always like driving with Loz, but there is something about being by yourself out on and adventure. It's a good time to reflect on things and trying to figure out the next steps. My thoughts were broken by the pure beauty that is driving across the Hood Canal Bridge.
Once I was at the campground, it was time to unload and grab some much needed R&R. We decided to camp in a campground this weekend because it was a lot easier. We tend to choose campgrounds over dispersed when we are trying something new or we have people who are not accustomed to the type of camping that we do. It's easier and everyone has a good time.
When I arrived, I was greeted with a lot of campers. It was a lot more full than I expected the grounds to be. I drove to the 15 minute parking area and got out to take a stroll. It wasn't long until I realized that I probably should have showed up on Thursday. There were minimal sites available and the sites that were, well they weren't going to fit 2 tents and an awning room. My hopes were getting dashed and it was around 2:00PM at this point. I knew I had to find a spot, at least for the night.
That was in I noticed this person getting out of their car with a cat. Since Loz was bringing out our cat a little later, I was curious on how it was going. I turned out that they were in the same situation that we were going to be finding ourselves in the next day. They had mentioned that they were switching spots and that I should check out the one they were just leaving from. Sadly, that site was too small to work for us.
We parted ways after a few moments of conversation and I kept walking the sites. All of the pre-planned sites were out of the question as they had campers there for the weekend staying in them. I started to worry a little bit that I might have to head into the forest for a couple of the other campgrounds that we had chosen. That would have put me to camp at 4pm and that was not going to work for me to get set up and cooking.
I turned the corner for the second loop of sites and noticed this huge site, but with a pet carrier on the table. I stood there for a moment or two reading the pay envelop stub.
"Out-7/22" was what I was reading. I thought someone was bound to return for their very small dog carrier. I was a little weary of just claiming this spot as people in campgrounds tend to be a little more particular than out in the bush.
All of the sudden I hear a familiar voice. It was the lovely soul that I met a little earlier who was camping with the cat. It turned out that the carrier was for their cat, and they had actually planned on camping in this spot, but it wouldn't fit the 2 cars and a small tear drop trailer. I was in luck, this spot was perfect. It would hold all of us with plenty of room, and some nice trees to hang some hammocks on. I took a couple of pictures and went to get Stacey.
Because Mike was going to be coming with Loz on Saturday, I opt'ed to set up his tent and sleep in there for the night. It is a 10000% easier to put up than our 6 person, but getting dressed in it can be a bit of a pain for sure. I was happy for the easier set up, as the next day meant setting up the entire rest of camp.
After everything was set up, it was time for dinner. For dinner, it was Kabobs. Since this was supposed to be a nice relaxing night, I did not want to film anything. I just wanted to enjoy the time in the forest before the rest of the family gets there. I quickly built a fire and prepped the kabobs. I can tell you that they were sirloin kabobs with onion, mushroom and peppers. Not much else to say other than they were just plain delicious. Sitting there, I noticed a very familiar sound, thats when I looked up and saw them...
A couple of bikepackers were rolling through the campground, and they looked a little beat. I have been in their shoes on several occasions. There have been plenty of times that I have rolled into camp at 7pm thinking that I will be able to find a spot, eat, relax and get ready for the next grueling day. My heart went out to them.
When I finally decided to ask if they wanted to camp with me as, I already had the space and the fire going for them. I grabbed my kabob, and started walking the road towards the entrance of the grounds. I finally spotted them towards the front where both of the loops intersect. Our conversation goes as follows;
"Hey Bikepackers, you need a place to stay tonight? I have the space and the fire is already hot." - Takes another bit of steak out of a bowl.
"Oh My God, that would be amazing. Thank you!"
"Sweet, Site 14. I'll meet you over there." - Just turns and walks away.
I will later learn that conversation and the fact that I had brought my dinner with me, was the reason they felt comfortable enough to stay with me. I guess that I just give off that wonderful midwestern calmness to me. Unthreatening as normal people would put it! A couple of minutes later, they had arrived at camp and were already setting up their tent. We exchanged names, and they left for a walk. Not without giving me a Ranch Flavored Pringle. Tastes just like South Dakota Ketchup.
Jess and Maria had ridden from Seattle to Port Angeles and were making their way to the coast and down the 101 for some well needed fun and excitement! They had left a couple of days earlier and were following the Olympic Discovery Trail. The ODT is one of the best trails out here. It follows an old railroad track that lead out to the coast. I have done several sections by bike and it's just an easy, and beautiful ride. I highly suggest it, as would they.
As they nibbled on their mercantile charcuterie boards, I gave my best introduction that I could! I talked about Loz and the puppers, and what I do with all my time. Finishing their meals, they would share stories of the past and what they were doing now. While the night went on, it felt more like old friends had just had a reunion than strangers who had just met.
When the last logs were burned for the night, we all hit the hay and were greeted with the wonderful sounds of the forest, and campers leaving for their excursions. I had a nice little bowl of frosted flakes and relaxed until the bikepackers were ready to roll. We shared some morning laughs and some caffeine. They were using an AeroPress to make their coffee and I just kind of giggled, because of the video that I had shot a little earlier this year.
After they were all packed up and ready to hit the road, I was able to snap a picture of them, and they were off in the sunshine. That also means that I had to start the setup for Loz and Mike to arrive. So in natural Mikey J fashion, I decided that a walk, some cannabis products and a hammock sounded way better. I took a nap a relaxed.
A couple of hours later, I woke up from my nap and it was time to get the camp all set up. It took about 2 hours to set up the Gazelle, Tent, AirBed, and pupper area inside the Gazelle. This would be the first time that I would set up the tent by myself. It's a big ole pain in the ass, and I am very much missing the room that we use when it is not so hot out.
Soon enough, Loz and Mike arrive with the rest of the animal crew in tow. I was so incredibly happy to see my puppers and could not stop laughing at the fact that we had a cat in the forest. We set them up and enjoyed a nice little evening around the fire eating some cold Kinza Teriyaki that they had brought for us. I can tell you that cold Kinza might be one of my favorite things when out camping. It's a treat not to have to cook, and the Hot Chicken is so good. Once the fire was out, it was off to bed for us.
Waking up in a tent with a cat and a couple of dogs is a very interesting thing. She would meow for a little bit, annoy the dogs and then they would start to whine as they wanted to explore. It's no where near as bad as camping with children. Breakfast was some quick burritos from last nights left over steak and veggies. We ate around the fire pit and talked about our day.
While we were finishing up brekkie, we had leashed Kitty up to the tree. We thought that it would be nice and secure, but we were dead wrong. Kitty would slip her harness and we would not know about it for at least a good 10mins. Loz went to go check on her, and she was gone. We searched all around the campsite, and the neighboring ones as well. No avail.
Mike had noticed that there were some birds a couple campsites away that were acting a little funny so he decided to investigate. No more than a couple of minutes later, Kitty was back in our possession. I defiantly was happy to have her back, even if she was just gone for only a little while.
We learned a lot in that little time. Kitty needed to be in the gazelle and not on a leash, she was not too fond of the leash. I think that it will go better in the future, but the first time was at least a draw. I would do a couple of things differently. Like making sure that she has a huge soft pillow to just curl up on. She spent most of her time there.
The menu for the night was going to be some Cubanos. I've been having a craving for a couple of weeks. It's one of the only sandwiches that I enjoy that has both mustard and pickles. I really do not like mustard or pickles. They are the only sandwich that has mustard and pickles that I enjoy. Not to mention it's always fun when you get to use a rock to cook with!
They were so good. I was so impressed with how easy they went together, and we ended up taking down all the pork and ham. I still have some buns left over, I might have have to make a bread pudding... Either way, Mike was getting the fire going and we were in for another great evening.
The next couple of days were spent relaxing and taking small walks around the campground and river. It was super nice to just take a load off and not worry about things for a couple of days. After a few days and a couple of Cubanos, I was ready to head home and sleep in my own bed.
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