Last minute to Lopez Island

First time I've tried this. No time to reserve anything in the San Juans, as it's peak season and it's been a fantastic hot summer this year. So, yesterday I called San Juan County parks to see how walk-in biker camping works at Odlin County Park. This is what I get for being tolerant of riding on the ferry with a backpack. $8 a night. I'm glad I did this. I just rode into Lopez Village and made a dinner reservation at The Bay, an upscale waterfront place I've known for years but never tried. Usually reserved camping on Lopez is about $26/night, when all the "convenience" fees are added. So I reckon I can afford a nice dinner with a glad of wine and aim to be tucked up in my tent by 9pm dark.
I didn't think I'd make it to this bicycling heaven this year, given how unexpectedly and cruelly wretched my life has been since I returned from China in late January. But this place is salve for my broken spirit. May the good moments soon outweigh the bad more each day.

24th July

The 24th of each month, since January 24th, is a very difficult anniversary for me. I'm learning to treat myself with extra love on that day, each month as it rolls by, each month one more that takes me away from a traumatic event and into my uncertain future. I am going through hell, so I'm trying to keep going.
This is a buttermilk biscuit with balsamic strawberry jam at Morsel and Bean, one of many new places that have sprung up among the condos of Ballard. A young crowd hangs out here, which I find cheering. Lots of hope, joy, energy. I come here to have some rub off on me. I am usually a happy and courageous woman. However, right now, I'm neither.
One day at a time.

Glacier Peak from Buck Creek Pass

It was 8 uphill miles with 3,000 feet of elevation, and I am carrying a broken heart along with my backpack.
But I need to treat my grief at the end of my marriage with the beauty of this exquisite place. It is summer, I alone and I have no idea what my future holds. Someone who meant the world to me has left. I am in a world of hurt. I know heartache is universal. I wish to god I knew there will be joy on the other side.
To the past I say "thank you"; to the future I force myself to say "yes."

Off the Centennial Trail in Arlington

It's been about 4 years since I ridden to the end of the rail trail that starts in Snohomish. It's much improved at the north end from the first time I rode here. Back then the trail petered out into a horrible mess of rail, junk and stone yards. Now one of the old garages is a sort of "Route 66 themed" restaurant, like the one you see in places like Arizona.
I stopped for an iced coffee and sat at a picnic table, watching a biplane from Arlington airport do loops overhead. There's an art walk and fly-in air show this weekend apparently.
A fun thing to find. I needed to go riding today as I've done no riding all week on account of my very packed teaching schedule. But by last night I knew I needed to skip the endless lesson adjustments and roster paperwork I've had to do all week, on account of "open enrollment" which means I have new students every class for the first 2 weeks of an 8-week session. I see that teaching ESL in the summer is crazy making.
If I'm teaching next year I think I'll skip the summer session altogether. I'm not really enjoying it. Plus I see that life is too short to put up with these sorts of classroom hassles.
Years ago, I'd never have said this. But my days of adapting to impossible demands are over.