We wanted to get the view from the top of Mount Erie, about 1273' high, and with good views over the islands. We also liked the grocery stores in Anacortes and were against living on gas station food, so we cycled up Mount Erie and then did some shopping in Anacortes. The snag with cycling around here is the heavy traffic (holiday traffic) on the 20 but that's only the short bit of road to get us out of the immediate area - after that it is much quieter roads. The 20 is a continual stream of traffic which only lets up when the traffic lights go red at a junction. The ride up Mount Erie is at times very steep - the bike shop man said 18%. Well I'd say it was at times more like 25%. But with low gears it is manageable and you can always get off and push, no shame in that. Another cyclist, without panniers and on some lightweight road bike sped past us. The view from the top is beautiful - looking south west. The trees obscure the view in other directions though there is a glimpse of Mount Baker and, right at the foot of the hill, Anacortes. Crowds of plump Spanish speaking tourists tottered on unsuitable shoes out of large cars, peeped at the view and sat down exhausted, smelling of scent and aftershave. We shopped in the Safeway and then ate lunch at a picnic table and returned via the quiet Havecost Road. The gas station sells Kilt Lifter, a beer that amused us back in 2004, so we have drunk a can with dinner. I still have the glass at home that I bought back then. It is rather a strong beer at 7.2% and perhaps I'd rather overall have had a Elysian Night Owl pumpkin ale. I hope we find that before we leave - Scott in Omak gave us a bottle each and it was excellent. He's also the person that made us think of doing this area - Deception Pass and Mount Erie. I've already read half of my book, Guy has finished his.... We are still here.