Clarkston, WA (Chief Timothy State Park)
I was hesitant to stay. It was a little muggy, a little crowded and had a few too many locals. There were some jet skis and boats but they weren't constantly going. The sites were well-manicured grass under large oak trees. I went ahead and paid my $12 for the night and found a nice spot not too far from anything and not too close to any neighbors. Of course later everyone wanted to camp around me, but I am used to that.
I asked the young lady in the booth if there were any trails I could ride my bike on. She said there was a trail that went around the island (the first time I had any inkling that I was even on an island) and there was a nice paved trail in Clarkston about 8 miles away. I quickly disposed of the gravel road around the island, then returned to the booth to ask what the road was like to Clarkston. She said it was flat and went right around the river, but did not have a wide shoulder.
I loaded up with water and headed for the highway. I was restless and had not done much riding or hiking over the last couple of days. The road had a very wide shoulder and was nice to ride. I was making good time and made a U-turn occasionally to make sure I was not going to have a tough time on the way back. I had left around 5 pm so I figured I would just make it to town then head back and be in camp by 7pm in time for a swim.
Once in town I just kept going. I finally came to a junction with another major highway and noticed a Taco Time across the street with a large revolving neon cactus sign. I had a lot of food I needed to eat back at camp, but I decided to get a Crisp Meat Burrito fix anyway. When I walked in to the restaraunt I was stunned. It appeared to be a regular sit-down restaraunt, not just a crummy fast-food joint. This was how I remembered the original Taco Times from the 70's before they expanded and are now in Texaco stations. I approached the order counter staring at the menus overhead handwritten in neon colored crayon on a plactic black background.
The young clerk was impatiently hopping from left foot to right foot while frowning at me as I searched the menu for a crisp meat burrito. I was confused. I saw beer on the menu and specialty items, but nothing seemed familiar. I thought maybe this was a different style Taco Time unassociated with the regional franchise or maybe I entered a parallel universe where people take pride in their fast food restaraunts and adapt the attitude of those snooty sit-down joints. Finally, I asked the young clerk (who was being watched like a hawk by another female not much older than she) if she had crisp meat burritos. "What, cha?" she replied with a disgusted look on her face. I got the impression she heard me right, she just had never heard of a crisp meat burrito. I asked again. "$1.49. any thing else," was the curt reply. "No," I said sheepishly. "I'll have that right up," she said, seeing I was having trouble prying open my wallet to get two dollars out.
Before I could get the bills out she had returned and slammed the burrito on the tray in front of me. I paid, then turned to enjoy my feast. As I walked to my table I noticed an extensive salsa bar (complete with guacamole and sour cream). I assumed it was free for everyone to use, but I was too timid to partake of it. The table tops were old-style mexican tile and the whole place was immaculately clean. I was in Taco heavan. If only I could get respect from the people that serve me food. I know I am wearing camping clothes, but I did not think I was that bad. An incident at a library would have me questioning my dress again later.
I made it back to camp in record time and was suited up and making laps in the swim area by 7 pm. I had the place almost to myself and really had a good workout even after riding 20 miles in about 1.5 hours. On the way back I had stopped at the local community college and decided wwhat a joke it would be if I tried to learn a new career that way. On the job training is the only way to go. I have proven I can pick stuff up pretty fast a few times.
I rode my bike on the trail around the island looking for a good sunset picture. I heard some rustling in the bushes near the shore about 25 feet below me. I looked down and saw two skunks being very aggressive with each other. Then a third skunk came over and broke it up. It was too dark for me to get a good picture of them.
I stayed up until about 11:30 pm working on my web page and reading SF stories, then retired to my tent. I planned to make it to the KOA in Missoula so I could get online and pay some bills that were past due. My only concern was that the map in the KOA guide showed the one in Missoula to be right next to a Costco, Pier One Imports, and Interstate 90. When I passed through Missoula I don't recall it being very busy. I hoped the KOA area was sedate enough to stay at.