Getting ready to disembark the ferry in Port Angeles, I was untying Bert and reached over to open one of the saddle bags to put away a tie-down. The bungee cord snapped and the bag handle snapped. Both of which hit my right hand fingers. Thought I had broken the "salute finger" on my right hand. Did not sleep well and woke up with a frozen hand (used to turn throttle and engage front brake). Immediately went to drug store to get Advil. Took four, iced the fingers and jammed them into my glove.
Started out on 101, then took little winding road out of Joyce. What a road. Narrow, twisty, through the forest, etc. Bert was not behaving well. Kept telling him "give me 200 more miles, I promise not to abuse you ever again". We went Really slow because front tire was bouncing all over the place.
The little road started to wind around Lake Crescent. Soo pretty:
Several lodges on the lake, would love to go back and hang at one.
Stopped in Forks at a Safeway to get a meal and Gatorade. Continued on to rain forest area, Bert was slipping n sliding big time. Put on my rain gear. Wanted to put on my roller derby gear - not good.
Some where, about 20 miles from Forks, the shit storm happened. Riding along the coast, money views every 20 seconds, then I hear bad noises from the front of Bert. At first, I think it is the road surface (which was rough) or front tire telling me he is not happy when I lean into the turns. Stop at "beach 4" and pull in. Tire is flat, no cell service, one car in lot. Decide not to deal with Bert, going to look at water :
Go to the beach, sit down and breathe. What is the worst thing that can happen to me? I may have to sleep in paradise ( but no room service), and walk 20 miles to a town. I'm starting to grin now. This may be paradise; no phones, awesome beach, no tv.... Start thinking how much I could get for Bert. He is wired into my brain by now and the little voice says "be MacGyver, figure it out dipshit". Ok, bitch-slapped by my mind, start thinking. Chuck Berry said " I'm still thinking" . Go back to Bert, dissemble half of him (took up three parking spots, sorry St. of Wash).
Get out my Leatherman, Slime, electric inflater, tire patch kit, and other manly things. Fix it and crowd of tourists give me a standing ovation. Plus, two marriage proposals. Geeze, I even had my helmet off and they were swarming me (" do you like my Kevlar pants... ".
Now I have to venture into Seattle to get new shoes for Bert. Totally bad juju, every turn is a potential crash. Thought I took Picts of me eating fish and Chips in Aberdeen, but can't find them.
Now the mission is to find the cobbler who will put new shoes on Bert. Unfortunately, I have to endure the dreaded I5 expressway. Not cool, even thought I can go in the HOV lane, I'm wobbling big time. Shorts are soiled, even Bert is freaking out.
Finally find motel near BMW dealership,check in, hit the bed and sleep for 15 hours.
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