"StudyStudyStudy" (jesterjin)
04/06/2018 at 12:05 • Filed to: None
14
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"StudyStudyStudy" (jesterjin)
04/06/2018 at 12:05 • Filed to: None | 14
| 13 |
A pretty short notice trip, but I mentioned to a friend that one of my goals was to go camping in my Z. The goal was similar to James May’s Lotus in the Top Gear Caravan episode. To make the drive just as enjoyable as the stay. Blast to the camp site taking twisty roads, camp, have a good time, then blast home with equal vigor.
My friend messaged me a couple weeks later and asked if I would be free Easter weekend. Since I pretty much only cook, work on my car, and free lance on weekends it was a pretty simple affair to push the work back. After some messages back and forth we decided on a game plan. While the Z was up and running, we decided that with the inclement weather, the additional parking fee, the ferry rides etc made it a bit silly to take 2 cars, so we chose his SUV instead. Plan was to get there on Friday, and return on Sunday. Given my love of cooking I would prepare meals, and he offered to pay for the camp site, ferry, and gas.
We met up pretty early, spent an hour at his place packing up and then headed to anacortes to the ferry terminal.
I love the ferry. Something just magical about it to me.
The moment we got on we were greeted with smells of Ivars clam chowder and found ourselves grabbing a couple cups. This brings back so many memories for me.
Afterwards we walked out to the front and saw the Xterra was looking prime being the first one on.
For some of the meals I had planned lightly just so we could look at some of the local ingredients the island had to offer. We even ducked into the local co-op, but I was a little disappointed. More health store, less farmer’s market.
We drove to Moran State Park, and camped at the Mt. Lake campsite. With 10 sites we were accepting we might not be able to grab one, but given our early Friday departure, we had about 3 sites to choose from. All through the weekend we would see people come in hopeful only to find all the sites occupied and having to pick one of the larger camp sites elsewhere in the park.
We set up camp, he had planned on sleeping in the back of the Xterra, while I had my new tent cot to try out. I was worried about answering e-mails for my side job, but with no reception it was no longer an issue, people would just have to wait. Forced relaxation by nature.
After setting up it was on to dinner.
Filet mignon cooked on a cast iron grill pan, stir fried veggies, and mashed potatoes with bacon. Not bad for camp food I think.
We tried to get the fire going, but with wet wood it was an absolute nightmare. Definitely going to buy wood from a store that stores the wood inside next time. After about an hour of making shavings and trying to keep the little fire going we gave up and went to bed.
Night was cold, I had sleeping pad, but it was the same shape as the mummy type sleeping bag, so any shifting meant it moved and I would be exposed to the bottom of the cot which being elevated with wind underneath was freezing. Going to have to grab a square oversized pad next time.
After a mediocre night’s sleep I woke up to some birds and sunlight. There is something deeply relaxing being woken by nature.
Breakfast was an assortment of hashbrowns cooked in bacon grease from the locally raised bacon we picked up from the co-op and silver dollar pancakes.
Definitely going to get the squirt jug type thing next time, getting a bowl to hold the batter, a spoon to put it onto the griddle, and a cup to measure was just more things to wash.
Lunch was made shortly after and packed to be taken hiking with us.
I’m not much of a hiker, but being out here it would have been a sin to not look around.
It was odd, given my struggles it was hard to appreciate just the sheer beauty, but that is what pictures are for :).
Trees growing out of trees were a common sight.
Moss on top of moss made a gorgeous lawn.
Amazingly tall trees, stripped of the inefficient branches were awe inspiring to look at.
At the little summit we had a lunch break.
Smoked polish sausage and veggies, on brioche hot dog buns, with some soda made for an excellent lunch.
The walk back was fairly pleasantly down hill, although wearing street shoes my feet started to kill me, reminds me I need to pickup some boots in the future.
Back at camp we had time to kill before dinner so we went up to the highest peak I believe, Mt. Constitution. The view was stunning. Hard to really process the view, the sheer scale of things is lost at such a height.
Then dinner. I had some semblance of trying to do a dutch oven, but when we found no charcoal at the store, and given our problems with fire the night before I decided to try making our dinner on the cast iron griddle, getting it real hot on the stove, then wrapping it in aluminum foil to keep the heat in.
To my surprise it worked a treat. Naan pizza, seasoned naan bread, with mozzarella and cut veggies, along with some of the sausage and bacon. The crust was delectably crunchy and the cheese were gooey and warm.
With a nice roaring fire that took soooooo much shavings and kindling to get started we finally settled down to some warmth.
On the way back we stopped by a ridiculously well placed cider house that was just off the ferry terminal. The place was packed for its size with bored ferry riders with not much else to do, and the cider was really excellent, to the point I grabbed 3 bottles to go, while my friend grabbed a flight to sample.
Also drove past one of my favorite places of deception pass, definitely the place I plan to visit with the Z sometime this summer, then onto the ferry once more to end up back where we started.
Dinner was at Ivars at the landing. I was a little bit hesitant as there used to be an Ivars by my house that had subpar fish, but given the option I caved and ordered the fish and chips. To my surprise it was delicious, the fish was plump and perfectly fried, the fries were great, and the portion was excessive.
Excellent food, excellent company, pleasant drive. Can’t wait to make the drive part excellent as well!
TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
> StudyStudyStudy
04/06/2018 at 12:20 |
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This is good kinja, sharing it to https://overland.kinja.com/ hope you don’t mind.
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StudyStudyStudy
> TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/06/2018 at 14:43 |
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Thanks, sure thing go for it!
Eric @ opposite-lock.com
> StudyStudyStudy
04/06/2018 at 20:37 |
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Head’s up: It’s “Moran SP”.
The top of Mount Constitution (better yet, the top of the tower) is an amazing view, isn’t it? I proposed to my wife on top of it...
It looks like a great trip. Orcas is my favorite of the islands because it’s big, has fun roads, great scenery, and there is stuff to do. For future planning: Instead of hanging out at the ferry terminal, I recommend reserving a ferry spot (not sure if you did) and spending more time hanging out in Eastsound. There are a bunch of cute little places to eat and drink there...
Other thoughts:
The San Juan ferries are still exciting because they have a very different vibe. The ones in Puget Sound are so busy and full of people rushing to/from somewhere that they’re no fun. I used to live on BI and that ferry is always a zoo because it’s basically a highway. The Horseshoe Bay to Langdale ferry in BC has a similar crappy feel these days (but 15+ years ago it was still just barely rural enough that it wasn’t being used for commuting much), while the rest of the BC ferries feel more like the SE Alaska ferries. The San Juan ferries are extremely unique in that they do a lot of short hops and practically nobody truly commutes on them.
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StudyStudyStudy
> Eric @ opposite-lock.com
04/07/2018 at 19:57 |
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Oops good catch.
Wow, small world eh.
We had reservations, and we wandered the island for a good hour and a half after having brunch at east sound. Didn’t take any pictures so some selective editing :P. It was also easter sunday so a lot of places were closed.
I will have to agree, although I still find the ferries to port townsend and even bremerton kind of fun, definitely not as relaxed though.
As a frequent rider you might appreciate the announcements. Just a bunch of gargle. Everyone waiting was just looking around laughing.
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Eric @ opposite-lock.com
> StudyStudyStudy
04/08/2018 at 13:01 |
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Well, I did have unique requirements: Had to be uniquely spectacular (hard when you live somewhere with so much spectacular scenery that you can become a little numb to it), accessible regardless of weather in early March, and close enough for a quick weekend trip. Mt Constitution, Deception Pass, and Lake Crescent were my list of options. I hit two of the three that trip... In the summer it would have been nearly impossible to decide, with Mt Rainier, the passes, and Olympic NP.
I didn’t consider that it was a holiday weekend where things would be closed...
Tip from my haphazard wandering: The San Juan Islands are home to the highest concentration of bald eagles in the lower 48 and Orcas Island has the highest concentration of bald eagles among the islands. The very highest concentration I’ve seen anywhere is on a small paved road east or north east of Moran SP. We’re talking 40+ of them perched in trees around one spot I stopped in the middle of a road after being buzzed by one.
I guess the best way categorize routes is whether or not they take reservations. Those that don’t are primarily used by commuters and have a different urgency about them.
The canned message, or the intercom? Regardless, that is pretty funny. On that note, if you ever want to take a ferry ride that is almost as much about the experience as the destination (although both are fun), take a trip to Victoria on the M/V Coho out of Port Angeles. The boat is ancient, as are the recorded messages.
AestheticsInMotion
> StudyStudyStudy
05/14/2018 at 14:22 |
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Were you just on Avondale??? Pretty sure I spotted you. Also, so far it’s myself, AMGtech on his bike, and Danger on his bike for camping Saturday night after the cruise. If you’re still interested check out Eric’s latest post with all the info. AMGtech and I are still looking for a decent place to camp, Mt St Helans is an unfamili area to both of us...
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StudyStudyStudy
> AestheticsInMotion
05/15/2018 at 15:39 |
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Hmm don’t think so. Not even sure where that is lol.
Thanks for the update. I’m still kind of on the fence at least with the Datsun. I need to go and see if I can get some work in during the week, started overboosting again, and I’d like to do a bolt check and I kind of blew my window to do that on a lift last weekend cutting up another car :(. Need to see if I can get some time in during the week.
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AestheticsInMotion
> StudyStudyStudy
05/15/2018 at 19:08 |
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That must mean... There’s another white z with bronze wheels!
Okay, just let me know! The cruise is a long drive, and most of that is a slog through I5 unfortunately. If the Datsun isn’t ready we certainly wouldn’t judge you for bringing the Acura! And you’d be welcome to some wheel time in the Miata for some of the more enjoyable sections
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AestheticsInMotion
> StudyStudyStudy
05/15/2018 at 19:09 |
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Oh and the campsite we’re looking at is “Lower Falls”. Fairly close to Mt St Helans
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StudyStudyStudy
> AestheticsInMotion
05/16/2018 at 13:44 |
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Oh I think there actually is, if I’m not mistaken with a V8, up in kirkland too, I haven’t heard about him in a while though.
That’s awfully kind, I just got my TIG to play with so that is also calling my name.
Going to try and workout the bugs tomorrow, maybe even a bit later today.
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StudyStudyStudy
> AestheticsInMotion
05/16/2018 at 14:30 |
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Status: Closed through Sat May 19 2018.
That seems like it may be a problem?
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AestheticsInMotion
> StudyStudyStudy
05/16/2018 at 14:53 |
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There are multiple campgrounds called Lower Falls, I THINK you found the wrong one? Or at least I hope
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/giffordpinchot/recarea/?recid=31590
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StudyStudyStudy
> AestheticsInMotion
05/16/2018 at 15:32 |
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Ah,
The one I found was
Probably looked at the wrong one.