Sitting at the Ocean

Writing tonight from the Pacific Ocean, listening to the methodical rolls of the waves as they break on the beach - the smell of salt water, sand and sea weed. I am at cape lookout state park near Tellamook, Oregon. Tellemook is known for it's cheese. I visited the cheese factory today and toured the facility and operation. It was really interesting, but best of all I got to sample about 6 kinds of cheese. Oh so good. Washington and Oregon also depend on a strong logging industry to support their economy. Huge logging trucks frequent the roads. These drivers are the most courteous to bikers. The smell of fresh cut wood at the lumber yards is yummy. The arroma of saw dust is delicious to the smell. Biked around 48 miles today. The day started out wet again. I was soaked by noon. It then broke for a while. I was able to get my tent up when it wasn' raining. It is raining again now. I am sitting under a canopy. Looks like I will be fixing dinner in the rain. It is still quite foggy. The forecast is for more of the same through the weekend. I am just going to have to tolerate being damp for awhile. The temperature is about 58 right now. It gets down to about 50-52 at night. I have an idea! I think I will bring my cooking gear to this canopy area. It is about 100 yards from my sleeping area. Okay, I think I will go and do that. Until next time, Jerry

OREGON

Crossed over into Oregon this morning on the Astoria Bridge. The bridge is 4 1/2 miles across the mighty Columbia River. The Columbia River is very turbulent where it meets the Ocean. It looks calm enough but there are unseen powerful undercurrents. Over the years, there has been many a ship wreck as they have tried to go through this area. Lewis and Clark learned about the mighty river and the ocean confluence. As I started out it was raining. Biked over 60 miles today and it never let up once. I was completely soaked through again. The fog set in by 11:00 a.m., and when I had to climb over a thousand feet over some mountain passes, there was very little visibility at the top. Furthermore, I had to fight a strong headwind. I actually had to get off my bikeand push it for over a mile because the head wind was pushing me out in traffic. At one point I noticed that I was pushing the bike over a very high cliff area, probably over a thousand foot drop. It was very good that I was off the bike at that point. Here I thought that the traffic wS my biggest risk, but just several feet on the other side were the cliffs. That was my adventure for the day. I am missing some awesome scenery because of the rain and fog, but I know there is much to see yet as I move down the coast. Saw other bikers today - all young riders in their twenties. Several days ago I did meet a woman from Germany who was probably around 50 or so. Signing off for now. jerry

Made it to Cape Disappointment

It started raining at 10:00 this morning and it has not let up since then. I went to the campground at Cape disappointment State Park and the whole biker section was one big pool of water. I was forced to get a motel tonight. I have good rain gear, but when you get pounded by a hard rain for hours, it eventually breaches the best of rain gear. So I am presently drying out in my room. I did go to the Lewis and Clark Museum and it was fantastic. Very well done with great displays and authentic artifacts. Their expedition fascinates me. It was fun to see where they finally reached the Pacific Ocean. I went up to the lighthouse on top of the hill and the visibility was very poor. The wind was howling and the rain was pounding, but I could still make out the ouTline of this beautiful and rugged area. Biked about 50 miles today. I am seven miles from the Oregon border. I will cross over into Oregon tomorrow morning. I will enter Astoria and then bike some 50 a 60 miles down the coast. It is supposed to be another heavy rain day, but I hope it is not As heavy as today. Loving my adventure, even with the rain and wind. When I am out there, it is like I am one with nature. God's creations speak to my spirit and I feel the Love of God and his creations.

Rainy

It rained all last night and I woke up to a very wet and hazy fog. Had to put a wet tent in my panniers. Started the day at 51 degrees and very low visibility. Donned my rain gear and hit the road. By noon the fog had burned off. The temp. Gradually increased to 68 for a while. It is now cooling down and the fog is setting in. The forecast is 60% rain for the next two days. Biked 54 miles today. Staying at a KOA campground tonight. Got to do some more laundry. I will be very close to entering the Oregon Coast tomorrow. I will either make it to Astoria, or stay at Cape Disappointment State Park this side of the border. There is a Lewis and Clark museum at the cape, and I am fascinated with Lewis and Clark history. I loved the book "Undaunted Courage". Cape Disappointment is where the Mighty Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. I will have Chili and crackers tonight with some fruit cocktail. Met 6 other bikers today also heading down the coast 2 from seatless, 2 from Atlanta and 2 from Arizona. Nice to link up with them from time to time. That's it for now. Jerry

Made it to the Coast

After biking for some 80+ miles today, I made it to the west coast. I am in West Port WA. I made very good time today averaging over 12 mph. The shoulders on highway 101 were very good for the most part. When I got here I set up camp at Twin Harbor State Park. I then went down to the pier to visit the Maritime Museum and walk along the beach. The weather started out very overcast and 54 degrees. By the time I hit the coast it was sunny and 72 degrees. Rain is supposed to hit the coast on Wed. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a sunny day. If all goes well, I should hit the Oregon Coast by Thursday. I saw another seal today down at the harbor. For dinner I heated up some beef ravioli and had a beagle. I also found my favorite cookies (fudge sticks), so life is good. I biked through Christmas town USA today - Sheldon WA., which harvests more Christmas trees than any place else in the country. I also passed through the town where they make Ocean Spray Juices etc. I stopped to see if they had a tasting booth, but to no avail. They didn't even have a retail store there. The highways were lined with massive pine and evergreen trees of many different species. It is so green here. I gurus that's what you get when you only have 60+ sunny day a year. Lot's of water fall to keep it so lush. Had my first flat tire today. Ran over a sharp piece of steel, like a heavy duty staple. Can you guess the 5 most common kinds of debris I have seen along the roadways? 1. Bungy chords, 2. Plastic bottles and aluminum cans, 3. Banana peels, 4. Bolts (probably off trailers and trucks), 5. Tire shreads. That is your trivia for the day. That's it for now. Take care and God Bless. Jerry

Overview of the past several days

Biking Canada was very unique for my Pacific Coust bicycle route. Of the many miles I biked there, the Pacific Ocean was never seen, a minimum.of 7 hours was spent on six different Ferrys, and 115 miles was spent bicking North instead of South. Vancouver was a beautiful city, with numerous parks, bridges, vistas, city views, and bicycle paths crisscross the city. Having successfully negotiating the city streets and two very high and intimidating bridges, I headed up the North on the sunshine Coast. After taking two Ferrys, one at horseshoe bay and the other at powell river, I then started down the South Coast of Vancouver Island. On my way I decided to take two side trips, one to Denman Island, and one to Tsawwassen. Each spot added a new historical interest to the trip. I finished my British Columbia ride in Victoria, a city noted for being more English than England. The British influence was especially seen at the large Empress Hotel and in the Paliment buildings. There were also many beautiful gardens in Victoria. The weather in B.C. Was in the mid 60's with only one day of rain. The people were very friendly and helpful, and courteous to bicyclists. After leaving Canada I jumped a Ferry to The San Juan Island - a part of Washington State. I really liked biking this island. I was able to see the whole island in one day. The highlight was happening upon 8 Orca whales while biking along the South Coast of the Island. I stopped and watched them play for over 40 minutes. They Started to move South and that was the direction I was heading too. I saw them several times along the way. There is only one Ferry a day coming from San Juan Island, and it left at 6:50 p.m., so I arrived in Aacortes, Washington after dark and had to bike several miles to my campground. Luckily I have lights on my bike but my front light went out so I had to get out small flashlight I carry with me. Here I am biking while holding this flashlight trying to find my way. All part of the adventure. I then biked to Fort Townsend, W.A., rich in history during the 1850's. The British had set up a military base here and on the San Juan Islans because they wanted to occupy this territory. In 1887' the Americans also had a military presence here for the same purpose. It seems that a British soldier shot a wild pig on San Juan Island and that incident set off a several year conflict between the two forces in these areas. As it turned out, it was peacefully settled with the Americans gaining control of the territory. Yesterday, I biked to Potlatch W.A. Along the beautiful Puget Sound waterway. I stopped and watched some seals playing. The forests here are spectacular. I love the smell of the soil. I love the sky, the waterways, the cool breezes, and the vistas that are breathtaking. It is humbling to contemplate God's great and marvelous creations. Today is Sunday the 12th and I am taking a rest day. It started raining this morning and so I decided to go to a motel today so I could dry out, take a shower,take a nap and rest my legs. Tomorrow, I will bike about 75 miles which will put me very close to the Washington Coast. Hpoe you Re all well. Until next time, take care.

Back in Washington State.

Just finished biking the Nortah and South coasts of Vancouver Island and in Victoria BC. I also biked the San Juan Islands in Washington. I am now making my way to the Washington coast. biked over 400 miles so far. I was without the Internet in BC. It has been a great experience. The beauty of this great earth is humbling. I love the smell of the soil, the breeze against my cheeks, the sounds of the birds and the waters, and the magnificent beauty of the sky. Have met many good and friendly people. The biking has been hard, especially the steep hills and the head winds, but I am getting stronger. I will try to keep up on my blog mow that I am back in the states. Miss you all.