I started at Hoypus Point at exactly 6:30 AM with a toe in the water and made my way past the fishermen also starting their day at the boat ramp. The morning was cool and foggy. I stopped in Oak Harbor for some hash browns at McDonald's before continuing on to Coupeville, where I hit the gas station for water, ice cream, soda, and candy. The no-shoulder stretch of the highway south of there was terrible, but fairly short. I mainly walked in the ditch and my socks were torn up by blackberry brambles.
My next stop was Greenbank, where I consumed half a turkey sandwich from the beloved deli. From there, I made my way to Freeland, munching on a huge pickle from the deli along the way. I bought a bottle of water from the Chevron and kept pushing. At this point, no food sounded good so I stuck with Cliff Blocks and gels.
I occupied my mind with audio books, finishing "Trailed," set in my former home of Virginia. I then moved on to "Reborn on the Run" and made a game out of making myself run every time the narrator said the word "run" and settled into a comfortable groove of 13- or 14-minute miles. It was quite the relief to get off the highway in Bay View and finish out the run on low-traffic local roads that I know so well.
I was thrilled to see my wife drive by me as I flew down the hill to Possession Point, where I dipped my toe in the water again, just under 12 hours later. We went to Bailey's Corner Store afterwards for cheeseburgers and root beer. Later, at home, I ate an obscene amount of ice cream on the couch.
Since moving to Whidbey Island just about 6 months ago, I knew I had to do this route. And I am so glad I did! What a long, challenging, rewarding day.