//location:

Jarrell Cove State Park

Shelton, Wash.

//time: 9:11 pm

//mile: 70

This is simply placeholder text, really. Just sending a pulse: everything went pretty darn smoothly today. It was beautiful all day, and now I'm wrapping it up with a crisp sunset and some chocolate covered almonds.

I passed a bakery with wifi on the way into the park here, so I'm planning on stopping there tomorrow morning and writing more tales of the day.

Till then, I shall fall deep into sleep in this shallow little tent. I forgot how tiny this guy is; it's like the size of my aura on a good day. Damn it, I just realized I left my blow-up pillow in my pannier. Nope. Not even gonna think about trying to get it. Goodnight.

//

Okay here's the real DAY 01 post.

The view from here (Olympic Bakery; Shelton, Wash.):

I'm not sure where to even begin with yesterday. But I guess Seattle's a good start. Woke up at 6:30, got the last bit of everything together. Matt + I ate breakfast together and then he sent me on my way.

It was really surreal actually leaving and saying goodbye to him + his fam (who are the coolest folks ever btw). I was kind of nervous after fully loading up my bike Friday evening and pushing it around the backyard. Really wonky, heavy. I asked myself what I was doing. You're biking to freaking San Francisco, Lily, of course that's what you're doing. After hopping on my loaded bike for a quick ride down the street that morning, though, I was more confident. It felt like nothing once I was moving and had a little momentum going. Well, not nothing, but you know. Sure as hell didn't feel like "nothing" on the hills that were to come.

Some final feels before the ride:

Anyway, okay I'm just gonna throw down some pictures here cause I know everyone's like ooo pictures and then I'll bullet out some more important updates, but then I've gotta hit the road again. Currently at a little bakery off the side of the road that has wifi. And yeah, need to charge my phone and keep on pedaling to Elma, Wash.

Breakfast of champions: 3 scrambled eggs, 2 veggie sausage patties, cheddar cheese. Banana + giant coconut water.

Found a lovely waterfront lunch spot. Peanut butter + pita + salmon jerky for days.

I gave myself a month to get to SF because of exactly this: roadside distractions.

Quick + somewhat important updates:

//I've been offered a place I stay once I get to Astoria wooooot

//No I have not showered yet. Different clothes + yesterday's socks.

//There are blackberry bushes literally everywhere along the roadide and they are distracting+nourishing me.

//I met a girl also camping at Jarrell's Cove this morning who's biking to freaking TEXAS via San Francisco, so we're gonna try to bike together a little ways. She seems really cool, and has a puppy with her. Let me emphasize that a little further: she is towing a puppy. To Texas. Puppy to Texas. Damn girl you go.

Her name is Becca. Her dog is Arch Duke Ernest Baldwin. Also goes by "Archie, Baldy, Arch, and shithead."