“The real voyage of discovery consists not of seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”  Marcel Proust

Safely home from a week long cycling trip with my daughter, the highlights and insights continue to nourish my soul and spirit.  The physical  challenges stick in my memory as well!

On our first day, we left Bellingham with family well wishes and threatening rain clouds, good gear and lots of energy.

The Chuckanut Drive is 10 miles of rolling hills, glorious views and overlooks.  It was so satisfying to coast down the final stretch and out into tulip, daffodil, and iris country.  

Rex’s Deli just off the North Fork of the Skagit River is a locale to note. It’s famous for food and drink and nice people. The fluffy clouds and Alpaca farms dotted the landscape.

Flat, pleasant ride into LaConner, where we stayed at an award winning, heritage home and B&B, Katy’s Inn.  The Inn is actually for sale, at a very reasonable price, if you’re looking for a change!

We strolled at dusk along the Swinomish Chanel, stumbling into a Wine Tasting spot before we enjoyed yummy dinner at a new, somewhat over-priced fusion restaurant, Nell Thorne.  The Pinot Gris and Cashew Raspberry Cheesecake were stellar 🙂 Hot tub at sunset; cushy bathrobes and blankies made sitting out into dusk very cozy, and rounded out our first day.

Insights:  Alpacas are VERY cute, the tulip industry involves a lot of stages and work, and it’s not a good idea to have a bungy cord rubbing on your tire as you pedal!

Jill Schroder is the author of BECOMING: Journeying Toward Authenticity.  BECOMING is an invitation for self-reflection, and to mine our memorable moments for insights, meaning, andgrowth.  Check the website for a sample chapter, or see the reviews to get a flavor for the volume.  Follow me on Twitter, let’s be friends on Facebook 🙂