The End of the Road

Ivy and Rich at our last grocery run. How convenient that liquor can also be purchased at the grocery store.

One of my last looks at the Pacific Coast before heading into San Francisco.

I loved the rocky coast and the sound of crashing water.

The End. I had just crossed the Golden Gate Bridge. A very bitter sweet trip. I felt proud and sad at the same time. I've had so much fun on this adventure; the people I met, and the stories they have shared will stay with me forever. I feel very fortunate for the opportunities I have been given and the love that people have so generously bestowed to me. I know that this journey will be the first of many more to come. It is only a matter of time before I will begin planning my next adventure. Destination still unknown, date to be determined, likelihood 100%.

Ray and Rich, the two co-leaders from the last two weeks of my adventure.

Ray (Mountain Man) is the most patient person I have ever met. He was encouraging and hands-off at the same time. He shared his wisdom of the road and of life freely and without judgment. I will always remember him for his kindness and his quick smile.

Rich (R) brought so much fun and laughter to the ride, that I felt like I was on a traveling comedy show. Rich is quick witted, with an incredible memory for TV and movie one liners. I laughed more in the past two weeks, than I have in the past few years. Rich was just what the doctor ordered! Rich helped me see the lighter side of the world, and to enjoy each day without worrying too much about tomorrow.


Things I'm looking forward to doing or things I won't miss from the road:

1. I'm looking forward to taking a shower with a towel that wasn't purchased at REI. The micro fiber towels are both absorbent, light weight, and easily packed. However, they are not warm and fuzzy like the plush cotton towels I have at home.
   
2. I won't miss having to use a flash light to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
   
3. I won't miss having to restrict my fluids in the evening hours in an attempt at having to avoid using a flash light to go the bathroom in the middle of the night.
4. I won't miss having to wear several layers of clothing to bed at night: hat, mittens, socks, thermal underwear and a fleece jacket.
   
5. I'm looking forward to seeing my children, hugging them and telling them how much I love them.
   

As a last parting word, I would again like to thank everyone who encouraged me throughout this adventure. To my children, Shannon, Robbie and Tommy. I missed you all so much! Thank you to my parents and my siblings for their concern and for their unwavering belief that I could successfully complete this adventure. My heart goes out to all of my friends who thought I was crazy to attempt this adventure, but kept their apprehension to themselves. To all of my friends that knew I wasn't crazy when I began planning this bike ride, I appreciate your loyalty and devotion. To all of my coworkers, thank you for taking on my share of the work over the past 4 weeks. I owe you one!

We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.

Avenue of the Giants

Rich and Tim using the jaws of life to free a bike of a broken lock. The local EMT/Fire Dept. lent us the heavy duty cutters after Tim's lock malfunctioned. We used the opportunity for some good laughs. Imagine us dressing as cyclist to steal a really good bike. The EMT played along with our spoof and we all rolled off with smiles on our faces. PS. Rich (on the left) is one of the tour leaders and an accomplice to the crime.

Just in case you might think I am sitting on a beach in Florida eating bonbons. Here I am at the Pacific coast just before I decided to shed my shoes and go in for a brief swim. The aquatic adventure was cut short when I noticed a dead seal floating just yards from where I was about to dive in head first. Oh, and by the way, the Pacific Ocean is very cold. Now I know why all of the surfers wear head to toe wet suits. Hypothermia is a quick threat to ones health.

In the Avenue of the Giants, Redwood National Forest. That's me hugging a tree so that you can get an idea of how big the Redwoods are. We rode almost 30 miles through the forest of these natural wonders. The only way to do this National Forest justice is to tour it by bike or by foot. The aroma of the forest is so powerful and soothing. The cool air is refreshing, the sounds of the birds are enchanting and the shadows that are created from filtered light make you believe you're in heaven. It is truly a magical experience.

The Avenue of the Giants. I will never forget the magic of this day. We are so lucky to have the beauty of this natural wonder available to us. If you ever have the opportunity to visit northern California, you really must try to set aside time to visit this National Park. I promise, you won't be disappointed!

Some of the oddity of the road

Using the bathroom at 6 a.m. with a small visitor to keep me company. A tree frog found some comfort in the humid area of the sink. I did let out a small shriek at the sight of this amphibian so early in the morning. (I am not in the habit of taking my camera to the toilet, I made a return trip to catch this photo.)

Someone with a good sense of humor named this road on our bike route. It was appropriately named, because there were seven hills from hell that we had to climb, and I thought about selling my soul to the devil for them to end.

In Oregon, you can cut your own Christmas tree or cut a deal with a bare chested mermaid, both at the same location.

A sign that bikers love. Two miles of steep hills where there is always a chance you will pass trucks who are restricted to 30 mph's but cyclists can go as fast as they dare. Let it be known that I reached speeds of 38 mph's on this descent.

I continue to have a fantastic time riding through the countryside with wonderful friends. I have become so used to waking with the thought of mounting a bicycle, that anything beyond this simple task feels like work.

Sorry for the long delay

I don't know what the date or day is. I have been away from a computer for too long. We have been cycling many miles per day and the small towns that we have been riding through do not have libraries.
I have so many things to up date you on, but unfortunately today I am on cook duty and must get to camp asap in order to have dinner ready for the group by 6:00.
I just wanted you all to know that I am alive, well, and still having the time of my life.
Tomorrow, we ride only 50 miles and I don't have to cook, so I will try to find a library and some spare time to up date you on all of the happenings from the west coast.
Hope you are all well and good!
Tish

A day in the life of a cycle tourist.

The Oregon coast just north of Bandon.

Another beautiful view, as seen by the saddle of a bike.

Ray and Russ, watching the waves come in.

Thursday, September 17th

Here is a brief snap shot of what my days are like;

Wake at 2 am., 3 am., and/or 4 am due to foraging animals (raccoons, skunks, or bears) or by territorial creatures crying in the night (coyotes or great horned owls) all creatures confirmed by Park Rangers sightings.

The other thing that may wake me in the night is a full bladder or a series of night sweets. (I really should have planned this tour a few years ago to avoid some of the menopausal symptoms common to a women my age.

Fully awake by 7-8 am, take down tent and pack up gear. Load up the bike and eat a quick breakfast (powerbar or banana). Ideally I want to be on the bike before it gets too hot or too windy.

I generally try to ride for 10-15 miles, depending on the weather conditions and the terrain before stopping for a true breakfast or lunch, usually in a local diner. Refuel and fill water bottles. Ride another 20-30 miles and repeat food stop for dinner. Ride the last 10-20 miles into a camp ground. Unpack, shower, star gaze, read, rest and repeat in the morning.

One specific note on showing at camp grounds:

It costs $1.00 to get clean. 3.5 minutes of water costs 50 cents. The water is not always hot, and is seldom warm. In the beginning of the adventure, I would deposit my 4 quarters and hope to complete a clean sweep of the body before I found myself standing in full lather and no more quarters to dispense.

Have no fear, I am a quick learner.

I now deposit two quarters, get fully wet and completely lathered, and scrub my feet and legs (these parts are especially dirty from all of the sand and dust of the road). I might shave my legs if necessary, so far only twice in two weeks (yuk!) After, and only after these tasks are complete, do I deposit the last two quarters for a full 3.5 minutes of rinse.

I can tell you, 7 minutes in the shower is not enough time to wash off 60 miles of road grime and 8 hours of sweat.

Taking a shower with no time limit and an abundance of warm flowing water is just one of the things I look forward to indulging in once I return home.

Just call me Cook-e

Soaking wet from head to toe. The waitress asked us to go into the bathroom to dry off because we were dripping all over the table. I partially disrobed in the restroom, washed my feet and socks in the sink and dried my hair on the paper towels as best as I could. We looked like something the cat would have dragged in.

Wednesday, September 16th

Oh what a difference a day makes. We woke to ominous clouds and discovered just 3 miles out of camp that rain gear was going to be a must. As beautiful as yesterday was, today was at the opposite end of the spectrum. It rained for almost 50 miles, and not just a sprinkling rain. At times I just had to laugh at how we must have looked riding up the hills in a pouring rain. Just another day on the bike.

One of our duties on the tour is to cook dinner for the group. And knowing that my motto is, "just do it" I signed up for the second night. We happen to be camping just up the street from a local fish market, so at the last minute, my co-cook and I decided to serve fresh tuna and salmon. The two fish were accompanied with roasted potatoes and toasted french bread. Dinner was a great success and we even had left overs for breakfast.

I'm having such a great time on this second half of the ride. My next challenge is to uncover a way to do this type of adventure on a more regular basis, say perhaps annually.

Westward bound-again

Back on the coast and loving it!! Five riders from the group: Ivy, Me, Deb, Cathi, Michelle and Tim.

Tuesday, September 15th

After spending a fun evening getting to know all of the tour participants, we eagerly set off at the crack of dawn. Well, closer to 8:00, but a bit earlier than what I am used to. We back tracked on the same road that I came into Eugene just 3 days ago. I remember having to climb most of the way into Eugene, and now I know why. The route in reverse was much more enjoyable. Of the 68 miles I rode today, it seemed as though 40 of those miles were in a downward coasting position.

The sun shone and the winds were for the most part favorable. Everyone in the group really enjoyed this first day. It could not have been more fun.

I am surprised at how good it feels to be back in the saddle after taking 3 days off. On those three days off, I still did manage to put on 84 miles going to and from the library (33 miles round trip) and the laundry mat. So I guess a "day off" is all relative.

I have identified two major pluses to being in a group tour:

#1 there is a lot of laughter from sun up to well into the evening hours. Already on our first day, the teasing and joking that is going on is light-hearted and dispensed with a touch of caring.

#2 there is so much food to eat, that I don't have to worry about finding myself at a camp ground without having first consumed dinner. If I have lost any weight up to this point, it will surely be regained in a matter of days.