I woke up at Deception Pass State Park and knew I had to rush out to Lopez Island to get a campsite at Odlin State Park since I didn't have a reservation. People make camping reservations at least 10 days ahead of time out here! Is that normal?? It seems like some serious planning going on in the Pacific Northwest!

I got on that ferry to Lopez and have never had so much fun on a boat. I brought my bike and a huge backpack and just watched the water the whole time. I saw an ORCA! I did! I wasn't sure at first and then he popped back up again. I definitely talked to myself out loud a bit!

I'd read that it was flat out at Lopez, so I wasn't worried about biking the 1.2 miles to the campground with my huge backpack. I should have been! It was NOT flat! These were some Asheville hills. I was huffing and puffing so hard! I finally made it to the campground and got a discount for biking, which was cool! I got the best campsite in the place, it was at the end of the park and really private. I set up my tent and was able to hear the ocean from my sleeping bag.

I rode my bike all around the island. I felt like I was in a dream, it was a perfect temperature, beautiful sunshine, amazing fields with flowers and vegetables. Lots of fruit! I passed by their vineyards and saw they were having a harvest the next day, so I stopped in to ask if I could join. The owner, Brent, made sure I knew it was a volunteer position and then gave me the details. Afterwards, I used Cat Boland's contribution to my trip for a cider at the local pub, and enjoyed a patio with sunshine. I rode my bike back to the park and set up at the beach for the afternoon. Lopez was quiet, small (11 miles long), and full of campers.

This morning, I woke up early and packed everything up to get to the vineyard on time. I arrived, picked up some clippers and two buckets and got a quick lesson before starting to clip for the next 5 hours. I had a blast. I ate a LOT of grapes, they were sweet and tart at the same time. They had snacks of grape coffee cake, which I've never had before. Why don't we bake with grapes more often?! I'm going to work on that. I met so many new people who were also clipping and we talked all morning about what they were doing clipping grapes on a Saturday morning on Lopez Island.

After we had harvested 6 tons of grapes (3,000 bottles of wine!), we sat down to a great meal that was homemade and tasted some of the wines. They were actually a bit too sweet for my liking, but it was such a cool experience to drink the wine that the grapes I had helped harvest were going to make. I really loved the family that ran the vineyard and appreciated their easy-going and down to earth attitudes. They always had time to answer questions and talk, even when they were making lunch for 30 people or harvesting 6 tons of grapes.

I had to really bike fast to get to the ferry on time, which was NOT an easy task. I had run out of water and felt like my lips were turning into prunes by the time I made it. But I made it! And I drank a LOT of water once I got to the ferry. It was a hot, uphill ride with a huge backpack. I don't think I'll do it again, ha. I was rushing for this ferry because I had checked into an AirBnB for tonight and needed to be on time to check in. I was panicked a bit the other day when all of the parks were full for camping tonight, so I found an old AirBnB coupon in my email and got a free night's stay!

Anyway, I showed up to this great little house and met Warren and Ruth. I have the most luxurious queen bed, a brand new bathroom, and Ruth pulled out homemade chocolate chip cookies from the oven as I showed up. I am moving in. They're the best.

We talked about old RV trailers, they just bought a REALLY cute Casita trailer and I was talking about the S'Camp trailer, which Ruth gushed over. We actually drove over to their friend's house and looked at their old S'Camp trailer for sale, which I was trying to think of reasons why I shouldn't buy it. These things are adorable. Maybe someday, right Jamie?!

Ruth, Warren, and I went out to seafood dinner and just hung out together. They're older than my parents but have a daughter who is younger than me. We talked about the age difference between us and how important it is for us all to talk more often. I have had such a great time meeting people outside of my age group on this trip. I feel like in my regular life, I don't get a chance to spend time with other people outside of the typical age-range. It's really important to talk to each other and learn from each other, even if we may not always be from the same generation.

I just settled into bed here at the AirBnB house and look forward to moving onto Orcas Island tomorrow. I'll be staying at a yoga retreat camp, so that'll be interesting!