String of Friends

47 miles plus a bonus 5 miler up the Deschutes. Video: https://www.relive.cc/view/vrqokLM4zKq Map: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/90757041 Day 6 is in the books! I am currently at the Deschutes River State Recreation Area where the Deschutes empties into the Columbia. Today was a short one, only 46 miles. I felt good to arrive early at a destination and be able to sightsee along the way.  Today was the day I could really feel the miles from home grow, especially after passing the Dalles. I had some moments of “What am I doing?” as I biked down Fifteen Mile Creek Road, but especially as  I faced the gravel of Old Moody Road. Gravel can be a delight or it can be a wheel swallowing, soul killing mess. Thankfully, it was the former. The day began with me saying goodbye to Michael my Warmshowers host. I rode down the huge hill back into Hood River for coffee and coffee cake. It was great coffee cake baked locally so it is bakery #5. I left ar...

Hisako chided me for not posting my departure pics. I also never posted the highly cool photoshopped version of Laurel's send off cake made by Kate Hutton. (My send off crew!) There's a better cake pic, but I can't find it right now. Here's the square Instagram version. I'm currently in a coffee shop in Hood River. I'll head out soon to the Dalles. It's a short day which will be nice.

Portland to Hood River 76 miles The video: https://www.relive.cc/view/vJOKpNBVk56 The map: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/90661058?privacy_code=eSMK2zAuFA5FtLgM Hood River!  Before I start, just a note that I may not have cell reception starting tomorrow for the next couple of days. I’ll be camping tomorrow at the mouth of the Deschutes, then camping in the little town of Shaniko, then camping again on the John Day River. Don’t worry if you don’t hear from me. This was the nicest day of riding yet. Riding (or driving) the old highway through the Columbia Gorge is amazing. Yes, you can get off I-84! I left friends Johanna and Monica at 8am in North Portland. Out by the airport I rode by a long line of RVs and broken up cars. Then the magical moment marked by this red porta–potty where I turned east. The ride out of PDX featured distribution centers to the right and the Columbia River to my left. At the Sandy River I was able to turn onto the C...

(Once In a Lifetime helped me when I was feeling nervous about the trip so I loved this find in the Castle Rock bookstore restroom) Vader to Portland - 77 miles https://www.relive.cc/view/v4OGRA5WPmv https://ridewithgps.com/trips/90449361?privacy_code=s9CbwOeMrkKtqF2E I learned I can bike 77 miles, but there’s not a whole lot of time for off-the-bike sightseeing. I go about 9 - 10 mph with stops. I woke up to a very dewy morning ready to bike to Johanna and Monica’s in Portland. I’ve known Johanna since I was 7. I slept well despite being told by Craig, the interesting Hipcamp host, that a fugitive had been discovered right near my camp site a couple of months ago. “A total tweeker from Aberdeen, but we got him pinned down until the sheriff came.” Craig was also suspicious of the diner I ate at.  (Breakfast) The morning kicked off with a 12 mile ride into Castle Rock. It has a cute downtown, a great bakery, and a bookshop! If you’re driving to Portland, get ...

I'm in Vader! Day two is in the books. I am grabing dinner at the diner near the Hipcamp place I am staying at. The camp is run by Craig who is a great host and eager to loan me tools and amenities. Sadly, I had everything he offered, even the chair! I did let him loan me a powerbank for charging. Why run down mine when I can use someone else’s. The morning started with a pancake breakfast on Nikki and JT’s porch. We caught up and talked about sailing which they love. I intended to leave at 8.30 but lingered until 9:30. My double kickstand was sticking and wouldn’t retract. JT got it working again. (Nikki hanging with me and the bike) The ride began with 27 miles of bike trail. Mellow after yesterday. I was a little demoralized because I am going slower than expected. It was almost 1pm when I got to Tenino. I worried about making Vader ‘in time’. But what does ‘in time’ mean in this context. I might need to adjust my mileage so I can dawdle more. ...

SOFAUS Day 1 Complete! I made it to my friend Nikki’s place in Olympia. I am grateful for their hospitality especially as we negotiate the trailing off of COVID running our lives. I also saw my friend Steve on Vashon. He’s 85 and had a bout of COVID. It was mild so that’s major relief. I also got bakery #1 visited: Vashon Island Baking Compay. I got a maple bar and coffee. It was rainy, rainy, rainy until about 4 or 5 pm. My tracking app crashed again. If it crashes again I’ll switch to different software. My raingear held up very well. I was not dry but not soaking wet either. The rain gave me something to focus on. You can listen to the sound on your helmet. Free entertainment! At the end of the day I had dinner at the Spar Cafe where I met Joe and Heidi and their kids and new puppy. We had the briefest of chat, but it was a great chat so I worked up my courage to ask if we could snap a photo together. They were game! HIghli...

One day left to go! Yesterday, I was so scatter-brained I left my panniers at home. I rode all the way to work failing to notice their non-existence on my bike! Let’s hope that doesn’t happen on the road. Dummy checks are great, but you have to remember the dummy check… (My panniers taking the day off on Friday) A very pleasant surprise welcomed me at work as I logged into my computer in my bike clothes. Consuelo Crow presented with a Lubsh or Eye of Protection that she made! Look at the beadwork! Consuelo is Yaqui. The Yaqui use this to protect themselves against harm. I asked if it works against dogs and distracted drivers. She said it works on everything. Since it is an eye, I wondered whether it needs to be outside, but worried it would get dirty. Consuelo said it is kept in a pocket. I found a nice pouch to put it in. I will keep it in my handlebar bag which is the nerve center of my bike. I repaid Consuelo’s kindness immediately by thoughtlessly and callously wondering ...