Oh the people you meet

Yet another beautiful view of the Oregon coast line. With every turn the sites and sounds of the water are that much more spectacular. I will never tire of the view, the sounds, the smells of the water.

Luke and Mike just before breaking camp in the morning. That's Luke's mountain bike with all of his gear that he snuck out of the house with. Luke was the ultimate is "hey, let's go for a ride" and Mike, the professional vagabond, who carried all of his worldly possessions on a small bike trailer.

A family from Baltimore who I lunched with on and off for three days. Here, Peter (the dad) is fixing another one of my flat tires. Peter owns 6 bike shops in the Baltimore area and was ever so kind in helping me get back on the road. He and his wife, along with two of their children and a couple of friends were heading down the coast at about the same speed as I was. We shared camp for three nights. They could not have been more kind or inviting. For all of you who thought this was a dangerous excursion, I feel far safer out on the road, than I do in MSP.

My adoptive family, Pete and his sons and Tricia.

Wednesday, September 9th

I fully expected to meet interesting and a bit "off the wall" folks along this journey, and today was no exception. In camp last night I pitched a tent along with three other cyclists, one traveling north and two traveling south along the same route that I have planned on touring. One of the "boys" Luke is a sophomore at Central Washington U. His school year doesn't start for another two weeks and he found himself home with the "rents" and all of his friends already departed for their respective schools. His parents created a long "to do" list seeing that Luke would have lots of free time on his hands. Not wanting to participate in slave labor, Luke loaded up his mountain bike with a sleeping bag and a back pack and headed down the drive way. It was as simple as that; no plans, no map, very little money. Luke's only requirement was to back home by September 14th, giving himself 2 days to get ready for the up coming college semester. Oh, the freedom of being young and carefree.

Another of the campers, George, was traveling from Seattle to San Francisco with his surf board strapped to his bike in a side-car manner. George was stopping along the trail hitting all of the best wave coves, experiencing the best of Oregon's surf. Because of the weight and cumbersome appendage, George was only able to cycle 40 miles per day. However, he shared some amazing tales of great waves and beautiful beaches. I loved George's ability to take one day at a time and his attitude of enjoying every single minute of natures best.

The third camper held top prize for uniqueness. Mike tauts himself as being a professional vagabond. He even had business cards made up so that we could follow his journeys around the world. http://www.fulltimevagabond.com/ Mike is from a small town in Iowa, graduated from school in L.A. and has spent the past several years trying not to become gamefully employed, yet working very hard at traveling around the world. So far, he has been successful at this endeavor for the past 18 months. Mike shared his philosophy of living on very little material possessions and experience the most of what life has to offer. I actually found this thought process very interesting, seeing that I will live for 4 weeks with only 30 lbs of "stuff" and feeling very content with so little possessions. Of the four of us, I was the only one with a full time job. I almost felt a bit out of place. We shared lots of laughs at the oddity of our choices and how so many people think we are a bit "loose" in the mind.

"We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face . . . we must do that which we think we cannot." Eleanor Roosevelt.

So I end today with the hopes that each of you will look outside of what you do, day in and day out. Try something new. Attempt to think differently. Be open to the opportunities and possibilities that harbor with in your soul. You have infinite choices and gifts that can, and should be shared with others. Be kind, respectful and joyful. Be thankful for what you have been given. I am grateful for your love!!!