Published in the Peninsula News Review

It seems that our request for textbook money has been posted in the Peninsula News Review. Check it out here or go to http://www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_south/peninsulanewsreview/news/29773664.html

Capes and Coastlines

Odometer as of Newport: 893km
The Oregon coast is beautiful! Although it seems to be filled with large hills every 25km or so, the views from the top make them well worth the climb.

On Saturday, we hiked 8km up to the top of Mt. Neahannie, which is the same hike that I did with Jessie, Jenn, and Jessi during our Spring Break adventure last year. The view from the top is absolutely incredible (and is the 3rd most photographed place in Oregon according to the local propaganda).

On Sunday, we completed our first 80+ km day which included a visit to the Tillamook Cheese Factory. Since it was a beautiful Sunday afternoon, the parking lot was crammed full of RV's, campers, and even school buses (I'd estimate that 15 school buses unloaded dairy-deprived teenagers in the hour that we were there). The ice cream at the end was top-notch and the enormous bag of "poorly-shaped" discount garlic cheese will keep our neighbours angry with us for a week. It was so warm and sunny, that I actually got a sunburn (not that it takes a lot to burn me). Despite a minor lecture from Chloe about the importance of sunscreen, I'm considering this training for Africa.

The Cape Meares Lighthouse provided a fantastic lookout for birds and we finished an 8km hike out to Cape Lookout yesterday. We got there just in time to admire the view before we watch ed the fog roll in from the ocean at a shocking speed. The next few hours were spent in a grey mist which seems to be continuing today. My thighs are warning me that no hills will be tolerated until they get a rest, so we are looking forward to a relaxing day in Newport tomorrow (which will likely include another exciting game of travel Scrabble!)

The Astoria Bridge

Odometer: 650km

Welcome to Oregon the sign said, but we were too busy rounding the bend and applying our brakes to pay much attention---we'd just made it across the Astoria bridge--4.1 miles of bridge spanning the Columbia River between Washington and Oregon! Hooray!

After riding an hour from Cape Disappointment we reached the bridge to find the traffic light and the winds ok--much MUCH better than the previous couple of days. So we went for it -all 22 minutes. First you climb a short bridge, then descend to a long flat section that is right at river level for a few miles--which was just fine. Only 1 logging truck passed us, which is a record for the 101. Then you start a long climb-about 1/2 mile or so to reach another high part of th bridge...the adrenaline pumped more just from the sheer height and small railings than anything else. Then down down we spiralled into Oregon, and at last came to rest at a chic coffee shop in Astoria while we waited for Chris' bike to be examined.

I must say, we quite enjoyed the bridge & I personally find it much more relaxing that the crazy tunnels! Those have the scariest accoustics imaginable and you feel like a huge freight train is bearing down on you--or perhaps the tunnel is collapsing. All is well, and we continue towards the happy land of $4 campsites and beautiful beaches.

Hurricane in the Northwest?

Yesterday, started out beautifully. Bits of rain intermersed with sunshine and a beautiful ride through the mud flats. Then, Hurricane Ike decided to arrive. Hours of pouring rain, gale-force headwinds (we were down to first gear going through a flat section), and my second broken spoke led to a rather glum final 30km. The Cafe in Ilwaco was like an oasis in the desert (actually, the desert would have been rather nice at that time). We checked into the motel across the street and began the process of drying out all our belongings, rotating their time over the heater. It took me ten minutes to figure out that the hot/cold knobs in the shower were reversed and that the motel did in fact have hot water....but it was glorious when it arrived.

Today, looks much better. The winds have died down and the rain has temporarily abated and he have several museums to visit. Tomorrow, we'll head into Oregon.

A Broken Spoke, Some Bag Busting & a Hungry Rim

Odometer Reading: 350km



So the repair-free days are over-although I must admit my "Old Faithful" is holding up fairly well. After leaving you off in Forks we continued another 50km more to Kalaloch-uneventfully except I noticed some wobbling in Chris' wheel in the last 5 or so. Next morning, yes indeed, a broken rear spoke requiring my old chain whip & cassette remover. Not a difficult job, but an impossible one if I had not brought the right tools. It delayed our start, but we had a shorter day (50km) so no problem. Unfortunately Chris had not packed away the "emergency repair foods" and the raccoons had sadly made off with such things as Denman Island chocolate (apparently as I never saw them).



Later that day Chris' front panniers launched themselves off of the bike while going downhill, almost taking us both out. ..apparently they never fit his racks...oops! A few bungies secured them and we were off again to explore the Quinault Rainforest & lake. Then all was well again & we finally left the Olympic peninsula behind and headed for a rest day at Ocean Shores--a well deserved & needed one as we were both sore). Sadly the ferry that used to run across the large Gray's Harbor is no longer as they would need a few million $$ to dredge it...so now we are moving around the ~50mile detour. Oh and the rim biting was partially my fault...I left one spoke hole exposed after the last repair--apparently too much so it blew while we were playing scrabble last night. But all is well today--the sun is shining and it has only rained at night! A few more nights and we'll be in another state!

Rialto Beach & Northern Washington

This morning we're having a quick stop in the trucker paradise of Forks, Washington. Day 3 and knock on wood, no troubles so far except 1 broken kickstand on day two. Apparently we're carrying a lot. Weather has been ok...Glorious on day 1 and the last 2 pretty typical West Coast minus rain so far!

We took a detour ~14 miles down to Rialto Beach yesterday and checked out the beach..beautiful with sea stacks & Brown Pelicans gliding by. Apparently my dad climbed one of the sea stacks in the 70's and got stuck, so we took a few photos in his honour :). On we go!

Packing Up

The apartment is almost packed up. There are still papers everywhere but all the big furniture is out. As long as we have power and our internet connection, the computer will be remain functional, even if it's on the floor.