Ride on, Highway Cat !!: A Bridge Too Far ...

Day 3, Manzanita - Cape Disappointment State Park
Dist., 97.75 km., Avg 18.8 km/hr., Saddle Time 5:12, HR. 110, 2185 Cal.
07 18 2012,
Started the day with a big omelet @ Wave Cafe on 101. Had to scrape the unwanted sauce off said omelet. Why put sauce on eggs anyway ? Yuk.
Anyway, it's chilly and overcast again. Lots of climbing, so I guess that it's good cycling weather, but poor tourist weather. I stopped for calories at a Subway about 5 km from the bridge to Washington. I like the American Subways. There are different cheese options and they have spinach as a veggie add on. I love spinach in case you were wondering. Broccoli too, but wouldn't want it on a sub. I didn't do any research on this part of my trip as I wasn't sure where I would end up. As I got closer to the bridge to Washington, I thought, "Hmmmm, I didn't know that I had to cross a bridge" As I got closer still, the full view of the bridge soon came into view. "Holy Crap !" this bridge is a Bridge to Hell ! or maybe "Too Far"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Bridge_Too_Far_(film)
There was maintenance crews on the bridge, so traffic was held up a lot. I was stuck with cars for a while, then I had mad dash scenario with cars, then a huge gap of time with zero cars. (very cool). Then a barrage of traffic again. Crazy bridge crossing was the longest I've ever
experienced.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astoria–Megler_Bridge
I found out later that it is the longest bridge in North America. A big part was the "floating Bridge " portion though. "The "Confederation Bridge" is still the most impressive by a long shot.
After crossing the bridge, I had a tunnel to get through. There was a cyclist warning light system available, but it didn't work. The traffic was angry from the bridge delays, so I decided to walk Shirley across via the west sidewalk through the tunnel. I came to a crossroads of sorts and wasn't sure where to go. I didn't want to do 44 miles to Raymond. I hummed and hawed for a bit, then, after talking to a beast of a man at an Ilwaco auto garage/hunting hang out place ? I decided to check out the "Loop 100". Was a great idea, as I got a site at a Hike/Bike Camp area near "Cape Disappointment"
I hade the small field to myself, although many mosquitoes crashed my party. I was surprised to find a small camp store nearby (In a State Park, not same as a National Park ?) Not complaining as I was able to purchase bug spray, firewood and BEER ! OMG... Only in America.
I checked out the beach... Amazing. I checked out the shower facility, amazing. I also found out that there are at least 180 camp sites here. They are hidden and spread out, I had no idea how big this place was. Just when I thought that I had seen it all, there was a sandwich/ice cream truck parked near the comfort station. They had pizza also. I didn't bow to my cravings, but was blown away at it's sight. It was here where I met "The Traveller". A groovy bearded dude who rolled in with a very personalized Surly Mountain Bike. He had popped in to use the shower, but refused to pay for camping. I talked for a bit with "Sparticus"(I forgot his name, but this seemed appropriate). He has bin 'Riding' for 15 years. Says that his home is Arizona, and has ridden Australia, Europe, China. not sure about Africa, and forgot to ask about Canada. Anyway, he is not too fond of Americans. I enjoyed chatting and wished that I could have offered him a site. Oh well, he seemed cool with motoring on.
Very cool to dial in a camp fire (borrowed an axe from a friendly camper) Then formed awesome kindling with my "Swiss Army Knife" to combat the Evil Mosquito !

Wow, I'm very glad to have ventured onto this strange route #100 Loop.

Very cool spot indeed.