Front Door Adventures: Lucky

Among my many marital duties is planning Jenny's and my annual anniversary adventure. While it is true that this trip has historically included a sufficient amount exercise, I hardly think it deserves the "Jenny proves she is tough enough to be married to Matt another year trip" designation it has come to be known by among Jenny's co-workers and friends. I guess that time Jenny got a moderate case of Rhabdomyolysis on a climbing trip and hobbled around work for a week left lasting impression. That which does not kill us make us stronger.

I have become wise over our four years of marriage and learned that what is fun to me is not always fun to my lovely wife, and planned this year's outing accordingly. The first Adventure Cycling Magazine I ever picked up listed the Canadian Gulf Islands as one of the best bike tour destinations in the world. Being within easy striking distance of our home in Seattle, the islands quickly moved to the top of the Front Door Adventure tick list.

While a cyclist could easily spend a month exploring this beautiful and unique archipelago, Jen and I were limited to 5 days by the constraints of time (damn those jobs!). Without too much of a plan, we caught the Victoria Clipper in Seattle and were deposited on Vancouver Island three short hours later. Despite being the most expensive aspect of the trip, the convenience of not having to deal with car was well worth every penny paid. The best thing about traveling by bike from home is that you are on vacation the second you lock your front door and hop in the saddle.

The Gulf Islands certainly lived up to their reputation and did not disappoint in any way. Jen and I spent five sunny days riding, eating, drinking and getting to know each other a little better. My Dad always told me it is better to be lucky than good, and I certainly got lucky when it comes the woman I married. Beyond beautiful, kind and smart, Jen is tough as nails and an excellent companion both at home and on the road.

Livin' the Dream

Matt

Built in Bergen, Norway the Clipper IV catamaran can reach speeds of 30 knots. The 5 am start and gray Seattle skies produced such inspiring photography as seen above.

The Galloping Goose Regional Trail starts less than 1 km from the Clipper terminal and begins a network of regional bike trails that connect Victoria to Sydney BC and the Gulf Island Ferry Terminal at Schwartz Bay.

The Galloping Goose Trail gives way the Lockside Regional Trail, a network of paved and gravel paths, bike lanes and shared use roads. 35 km of care-free, low-traffic pedaling!

Fulford Harbor, Salt Spring Island.

Ruckle Provincial Park on Saltspring Island. With over 75 walk-in/bike-in sites on the water, an operating farm and clean toilets, Ruckle is popular destination for cyclists and families alike.

Although my wife is a trained chef, cooking by the Jetboil is an art born out of experience. The time I spent living in my truck has really paid dividends in my life. Jenny enjoying steamed cous cous with fresh zucchini, salmon and Parmesan. Bon apatite!

Many artists call Saltspring Island Home. Roadside Toad was my personal favorite piece.

The original Green Roof.

Despite being nearly 100 miles north of Seattle, Saltsping Island enjoys over 85 days of sunshine a year. Often the Gulf Islands are referred to as "Canada's Banana Belt". Jenny enjoying ripe blackberries the second week in August, a full month before we do in Seattle.

You can't go far on Saltspring without running into a roadside stand of fresh produce or home baked treats.

I bought Jenny a peanut butter ball that was almost as big as her head!

Another rainy day on traffic congested roads with terrible scenery.

Jenny loves it when I grab her bottom rib.

My soon to be released sports nutrition book will be titled Bread, Butter, Beer, Bacon and Coffee: Your Path to Nutritional Salvation.

Oh yeah, eggs too.

After two days on Saltspring, we hopped a Ferry to Galiano Island.

Jenny enjoying the view from Bodega Ridge Provincial Park, Galiano Island.

Spotlight Cove, Galiano Island.

Retreat Cove, Galiano Island.

Laughlin Lake Reserve, Galiano Island. An unmarked trail led us through a 1/4 mile of swamp grass to the largest body of fresh water on Galiano, Island.

At first I thought that the ground was covered with crickets, but closer inspection revealed thousands of tiny frogs so thick that one had to be cautious of stepping on them as you walked.

The Hummingbird Pub on Galiano operates a school bus shuttle service between Montague Harbour and the center of commerce on the island free of charge. Smart Business!