I loaded up the bike for a test run with all my camping gear in preparation for a two week extravaganza (Moto Mountain Man) with my buddy Jason. I left the house about 9:30 am Saturday and had a good deal of traffic to contend with the entire way. Nothing major, just a bunch of slow pokes.
I got to Heart o' the Hills campground on the north-central part of the Olympic Peninsula, found my spot, and set up camp. It was only the second time putting together my hammock stand, and the first time putting up the tarp/garage for the bike. I took my time - it should go up faster as I get more practice.
I rode out to Deer Park, a remote part of the Park I hadn't been to before - I will be back to camp there! It was a 12-15 mile gravel road with steep drop offs, but the campground at the end looked amazing.
I made my way back to my campsite and had dinner, a backpacker (freeze-dried) meal which was actually pretty good. That may have been the hunger talking...
I then rode up to Hurricane Ridge to catch sunset and wait for the Milky Way. There was a massive fire at the visitor center in May of this year, access is tightly controlled; however, since I was camping I had free access to the top.
There was a good deal of smoke from Canada. You can see the banding lower down by the horizon as well as the haze in the middle photo - all smoke from Canada.
I got an early start and rode Hwy 101 all the way back to Olympia. All in all, it was a good learning experience for camping off the bike, and great to get out again. Cheers,
Marc
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