An explosive trip

Starting our day in Abbotsford at the Super Save Motel included breakfast. It's a good thing we are into carbs since fresh fruit and protein were not on the menu, instead we ate cereal and bagels. We then set out for Chilliwack to visit Nick and Darlene, Norm's brother for lunch. The good part is that the road was flat and there was little traffic. It did take us 2 1/2 hours when we missed one of the turnoffs.



Norm refers to this as me being outstanding in my field, mainly of blueberries and corn. As you bike along the road you can hear what sounds like gun fire. Turns out the farmers are trying to scare away the birds from the fields. Hope it worked.


Once at the Gidneys we were treated to a lunch of homemade chicken noodle soup, fresh buns and chocolate chip cupcakes. Well worth the ride!





Nick and Darlene in front of one of the signs made at Gidney Signs. I think the hop company sign had a typo, so they hung it outside as a sample of his work. The Haas company once farmed hundreds of acres of hops for brewing beer, including just out back of their place, but no longer are in the hoppy business.
We really didn't want to cheat but since going to Chilliwack wasn't the direction we are heading, Nick gave us a ride back to Abbotsford to the Sumas border crossing so we could head south (which saved us over two hours and 30+ Kmart of pedaling). South we biked, heading for Lynden, Washington, a really really Dutch community.



It was July 4th so we thought we might see some parades, party happenings or fireworks. Instead the town was absolutely dead. It looked like a ghost town. Here is Norm on the main street connecting with his Dutch roots.
So after some discussion we decided to keep on biking to Bellingham. Again the road was flat and straight with wide shoulders and the weather perfect, late afternoon sun. As we biked it was amazing how often we heard explosions, again sounded like gunshots. It was people setting off firecrackers all day long.
We even saw two discount firework outlets with line ups to buy fireworks! Could make for a very interesting 4th of July.
We continued on past Bellingham to Fairhaven, a historical town, the first settlement started by Dirty Dan Harris in 1853. Finding accommodations was not so easy, little to chose from. We were very lucky to find a room at the Village Inn for only one night. It was wonderful! Big room, bathtub, balcony overlooking the harbour where the fireworks were happening and it included breakfast. More carbs, waffles this time.



We showered and headed out to dinner to Mambo Italiano, pasta and pizza. After biking about 70 kms today, we felt we deserved it.
Looking from our balcony you could see at least a dozen displays of fireworks going on across the bay, towards Bellingham and just in front of our hotel. It was unbelievable how many places we're celebrating. And it continued until midnight! There were miniature displays of fireworks from miles away across the bay, like bright little flowers blooming for just a second.









Inspite o the fireworks, we slept well, and started our day with a breakfast of waffles, yogurt and fruit. We had to find a place to stay for tonight and again lucked into a B & B near by. Dropped off our bikes and packs and this time we went walking into old Bellingham, no Bellis Fair for us:)



Can you see Norman Gidney right in the middle? Check out the NG below.



Tomorrow the Chuckanut Drive to Anacortes and on Sunday to Orcas Island.


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Location:Bellingham