I’ve made it to my first camp and am now situated in my tent. Most of this was written in the late evening, and some after I woke briefly in the middle of the night.
A lot happened today.
I rode down to Olympia and then up the 101 to Sequim, Port Angeles and then Forks. The clouds were heavy all morning until Shelton where they parted for my riding along the coast. It was beautiful and made me glad I put all the effort into this trip. Then they returned in Forks and stayed for the remainder of the day. I started to feel a bit cold riding into Forks, but by then the day was almost done.
I continued rolling until the turn-in to the Hoh Rain Forest, where I had previously spotted a decent looking spot for dispersed camping on a forest road. I found my way to those coordinates but they were occupied. There was a nearby option down an offshoot that might have worked, but it looked like someone might’ve been living there occasionally… some tarps and boxes and even a book were strewn about. I didn’t want to set up there and have to explain myself to its owner at 11 pm. So I headed back down Upper Hoh Road and found another offshoot to explore. Eventually I found a pretty good site with a fire pit and flat area for a tent.
I dismounted from the bike and realized that somewhere along the way I had lost one of my two water bottles. It must have slid out when I hit a bump or something, hopefully someone found it on the road and gave it a good new home. This brought me down to 1L for the evening and next morning. To ration this, I had to forego the Knorr pasta packs I had planned for dinner (which require 2 cups of water), and instead heat up the can of beans Grace got me. This was actually pretty tasty especially once I got some tortillas involved.
So now I sit here in my tent.
Logistically everything at this campsite is solid. The fire ban in the area was lifted so I was able to get one going with some wood that was left here. It was nice and cozy and helped keep the mosquitoes at bay. What’s more difficult is the mental aspect and fear of being physically vulnerable.
I don’t have a gun, just a small knife. There are no grizzlies in the area, just timid black bears apparently. So practically speaking I don’t really know what I’m afraid of. Maybe other people showing up? But even then, what’s my concern? They are also just going to be looking for a spot to boondock for free.
Maybe it’s a fear that some humans are not inherently good, and will take an opportunity for theft or worse if it presents itself with nobody else around. Very pleasant thoughts to have at 3 am alone in the wilderness.
It’s interesting my gear almost sounds alive when I’m in this heightened state of awareness. Every little sound it makes is being interpreted as an animal or something out of view. There is a soft rain now in the area, and with it a good amount of noises from the living forest around me. My mind is constructing every possible way this could be an animal or person moving through the woods.
On that thought, time to post this and try to get some more sleep.
Miles Ridden: 285
Camp: (47.8255426, -124.1308888)