Day 5 - Elma RV Park, Elma, WA. 94km

Warm welcome

The guys knew they'd found a good place to stay for the night when Rhea, the campground manager, welcomed them with cookies and apples.  A great way to end a 94km day that had a bit of a rough start.  After leaving their campground they asked about places for breakfast and got some directions to a restaurant.  Unfortunately, it was not on their route so they asked about any on their route, to which the response was "You're going up the Trails Rd?" which should have been their first clue!  But up the road they went and up a hill that for the 1st time (including the x-Canada Trip)  they ended up walking their bikes.  Gary's assessment was that it made Blomidon Terrace in Wolfville look like a piece of cake and much steeper than the road up to Blomidon Prov. Park.  Needless to say that also meant that there were not too many restaurants along the road and so by 10am when they finally came to Shelton and found a restaurant for breakfast they were ready to eat their spare tires.

Previous bike trekkers at Elma RV Park

Their route today took them through Shelton along country side roads avoiding the more heavily trafficked main roads.  Although the route is taking them through the countryside, the area today was not the most scenic with vast areas that have been logged and are in early stages of reforestation.  It looks very hot and dry, a result of being in the rainshadow of the coastal mountains, perhaps.  Overall, though it was a pleasant ride and the Elma RV Park a welcoming place to pitch their tents for the night.  
They expect they have 2 more days of riding to reach Oregon and the coastal highway. 

Posted by Janet, photos from http://www.elmarvpark.com/index.php