Four of us boarded the Kitsap fast ferry for the 8:05 departure from Pier 50 to Southworth on a beautiful Monday morning, arriving in Southworth about 30 minutes later.  At Port Orchard we stopped for coffee and pastries at Mercantile Coffee Co (Mile 13).  The ride was pleasant with light traffic until we got to the intersection of Flora Road with State Highway 3 (mile 25).  Traffic on 3 was very heavy.  The shoulder was wide enough, but strewn with debris.  We arrived in Belfair to do some grocery shopping (mile 27) and then rode on to Belfair State Park along the narrow shoulder of State Highway 300.  We camped at the hiker/biker sites near the shower on Tree Loop.  I'd rate the campground here at a 6 on a scale of 10 - due to road noise and the poor condition of the shower.  Otherwise, an OK place to camp.  Total for the day 30 miles and 1,500 feet.

On Tuesday morning we headed south on a relatively quiet Highway 300 around the point to Tahuya, stopping for coffee at Summertide Resort (mile 43.3).  The paved road ends just a bit beyond Rendsland Creek.  The next 4.5 miles of NE Northshore Road are rough and hilly.  I'd recommend at least 40 mm tires unless you want to do a lot of hike-a-bike.  We stopped for lunch at Dewatto campground (mile 54.7).  The campground has no potable water supply, but I did find an outlet to recharge my phone while we ate.  We continued for another 21 miles and 1600 feet of climbing to Scenic Beach State Park.  We rented a full campsite which was close to the showers and a water supply, but was dusty and very noisy due to the presence of wild animals (raccoons, herons, and partying college kids).  Next time, I'd stay at one of the quieter and less dusty hiker/biker sites even though they are farther from the showers.  Total for the day 45.5 miles and 3,500 feet.

On the last day of the trip we returned to Seattle via the ferry from Bremerton.  Some sections of the ride were pleasant, but unfortunately Seabeck Highway is very busy with narrow shoulders - and there really isn't an alternative route that doesn't include this road.  We did enjoy a pleasant diversion around Lake Kitsap where I met an elderly gentleman who informed me that he used to ride with COGS - his name is Rich Davis and maybe some of you will remember him.  We took the auto ferry home to Seattle.  Total for the day 18.5 miles and 1,500 feet.  Photo below by Tony D from Day 2. Smoke from the Bear Gulch fire visible over the Olympics..