Touring - Hood Canal Wa./ first tour *many pics*

This was my first tour, 3 days and 150 miles all said and done. Started and finished in Bremerton, Wa. No flats, break-downs, or any problems whatsoever actually. The weather was decent, the only rain fell while we were snug in the tent. I'm an experienced backpacker/mountaineer but I learned it takes more to keep warm while traveling at higher speeds ;) I rode my '90 trek 420 I built up for light touring and commuting, she was on a Norco somethingorother with slicks. About 50 miles each day with side trips, I felt I could hold that pace indefinitely. Cant wait for warmer weather and longer trips!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/2948095899_0e5343c66b_o.jpg first stop was lunch
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3236/2948095937_16aa25e593_o.jpg Tawanah st. park
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2948949394_e8809706bb.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3156/2948096047_ae8022f4fd_o.jpg Posing in front of the Hood Canal
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2007/2948096021_ce91078bfe_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3029/2948096111_228fdd17cb_o.jpg Potlatch St. park, our first camp
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3169/2948096139_85c0e4b08c_o.jpg Cheap beer.... Trying to keep this a cheap trip.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3014/2948949606_03d01da402_o.jpg Home #1
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3029/2948096199_be7f3d90e3_o.jpg Rest spot along Hwy 101
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/2948096237_b6121c42e0.jpg Happy rider
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/2948949710_9afc8446eb.jpg Pleasant harbor
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/2948949764_8d5dae1a7d.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3230/2948096371_866454b1c8_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3296/2948096397_eed894410e.jpg Dosiwallups St park
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3269/2948096425_766f3b53dd.jpg Nice shoulders ;)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3045/2948096453_426aed97b6_o.jpg Falls View campground
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3020/2948949918_7f3b98d4af_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3035/2948096543_59812a8e76_o.jpg Almost to the bridge
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2007/2948096579_d0ba555825_o.jpg "Bicyclists must walk next 150 feet"
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3010/2948096597_fa8d5b5659_o.jpg Clear Creek Trail though Silverdale. Home at last!

Thanks for Viewing my pics!

Thanks for Viewing my pics!

What a great tour! Thanks for sharing the photos. It looks like a good time.

What, if anything, would you do differently on the next tour?

nice one. love that ride. what do you think of the lighthouse tent for the northwest? My review is kind of mixed but it sure does pack up small for it's interior space!

What, if anything, would you do differently on the next tour?

Mittens instead of gloves and probably a balaclava for the cold mornings.



what do you think of the lighthouse tent for the northwest?
Not a big fan! If I hadn't gotten it for a 3rd of retail I'd be upset.. Its great in the snow or for summer but it does not do well with anymore more than a light shower here and there. With an hour or more of rain it will mist through and eventually start dripping heavily.

Awesome pictures. Looks like you two had a great time for your first tour. :thumb:

Not a big fan! If I hadn't gotten it for a 3rd of retail I'd be upset.. Its great in the snow or for summer but it does not do well with anymore more than a light shower here and there. With an hour or more of rain it will mist through and eventually start dripping heavily.

I found it not so drippy but oozey in heavy rain.... super saturated dampness. yeah, Epic tents are not so good in the wet. I'm still looking for a spacious tent that packs up as small as those epic tents though.... I've tried a few silnylon tents but they were twice the packed size of the Epic BD tents. maybe a henry shires double rainbow Tarptent...

One of my buddies swore by his HS tarptent till he tried my Golight Lair. Now he bought a Lair and the Tarptent sits on the shelf. I use the lair almost exclusively for 3 seasons except when camping with females. They almost always prefer something with a door ;)

Check out http://tentsonsale.com/store.asp

I've had their 7'x7' tent since 2001 and it's done a good amount of camping in all kinds of rain. The 7'x7' packs to 23"x5" (with FULL rainfly). Their 7'x7' with one of those mini rainflys packs to 23"x4".

It's a damn fine tent, don't let the prices make you think otherwise.

I've used tarp tents for 3 decades, might even have a golite lair stuffed in the closet! you're right about girls and tents though.