Ride the Hurricane

View from one of the rest stations on the road up to Hurricane Ridge Vistor Center

After dreaming of doing the Ride the Hurricane event for years, I finally invited a friend and registered for the ride.

Each year on the first Sunday in August, cyclists have the extraordinary opportunity to ride the iconic Hurricane Ridge road when it is closed to all motor vehicles. Starting the round-trip ride at sea level from the Port Angeles City Pier, cyclists ascend through the Olympic National Park, past old growth fir, distant glaciers, and Alpine Meadows, to the stunning viewpoints of Hurricane Ridge.

I knew the ride would have amazing views. I was very excited about riding my bike without any cars on the road for a few hours. But wow, after riding my bike for 2 months in preparation that hill killed my legs. Well, for a day anyway. I managed to get 2/3 of the way up the mountain before turning around for a zippy and exciting descent through the trees.

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Blueberries

I don’t have much to say here except that it’s nice to get out berry picking once a year. This was the first time I went berry picking on a hot 90-degree afternoon because my son was so excited about getting out to the country for some fruit. There is nothing like a sun-warmed berry straight from the bush. Amazing, highly recommended.

Entertainment

Your Name

While my son was at his first week of sleep-away camp, my daughter and I watched the movie 君の名は。, Kimi no Na wa. Also known as “Your Name” and in a book form created by the director Makoto Shinkai, the story is a completely touching account of a boy and girl that exchange bodies and are linked by a comet that splinters. The artwork is gorgeous. Just lovely.

Project Hail Mary

A lot of good reads this month, but one of my favorite was Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. I never thought I'd want an alien spider that can build anything and wants me to watch it sleep as a BFF, but there you go. There were so many good things about this book - the explanations about chemistry and physics, the drama of saving the entire human race, the excitement of getting nourishment from toothpaste tubs of food. But Andy Weir did what he did best with “the Martian” — he pitted a human against the forces of the universe and the human prevailed against all the odds.

Everything, Everywhere All at Once

All I have to say is: “sucked into a bagel” and marvel at the butterfly effect of multiverses. Am I living my best life? My worst life? Or maybe there really is no best or worst, because it’s all I know.

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the Punk Lady Apple

Bike Rides and Blueberries