I got my first views of Puget Sound and hence the first salt water since Maine. Today was also a visit to Olympia, the Washington State Capitol. It was a nice day of riding. Flat until Olympia and several hills after that. Last night was the furthest west for the trip, just past 123 meridian.

Sunrise was 7:30 and I was on the road just after. It was a misty morning and cooler than yesterday. My route brought me on rural roads roughly parallel to I-5. There are enough trees that you don’t pay attention much on how close.

Morning roads. Many didn’t have much traffic. Those with traffic had more of a shoulder.

Totem in Tumwater just before I came to Olympia.

Time to get a photo of the capitol

A little closer

From the capitol, I headed east on a variety of roads. Half a dozen miles were on this trail. It has quite a few cross streets, requiring a stop so was slow going. After that some smaller roads along what seemed like mostly RV parks. Then down a steep hill and by an Indian reservation where I had lunch.

Pumpkin patch…

After lunch I climbed up from the reservation and came to I-5 again. On the north side was this sign. Always fun to see if/how you get through

Aha, the gate blocks cars from the fire road but there is a small gap for pedestrians and bicycles. After this a steep climb through the subdivision and some suburban cycling.

The Dupont-Steilacoom road was a larger route along the Lewis-McChord military base. At Steilacoom I came to Puget Sound straight ahead. I cycled a short stretch along the Sound as well but it was busy riding without a good place to stop.

Last few miles brought me through more of Tacoma streets where I found a motel. Nice to reach this point though it also means the bike trip is getting closer to completion. My plan is to take an Amtrak train from Seattle back to Austin next week.

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