Pictures along the trail

Kevin, Mandy, & Boys

California State Line



Avenue Cafe In the Redwoods



Logger trucks(Yikes!!)

Camping with the Troops Paul & Jim



Huge Starfish by the Beach



Adam, Korena, Jim, Paul and Lisa



Heading into the Redwoods



Shoulderless Road towards Manchester

Beautiful Ocean Views



Mike & Julie, Alex & Daniel, Glen, Ray & Katherine At Samuel Taylor



Trying to catch up to the Gang heading towards San Fran!

Brandon, Alex, Mike & Julie at the start of the Golden Gate Bridge

Safely Across the Bridge

Big Mike checking on the Tour De France Race

China Town in San Francisco

Brandons friends who see, speak and hear nothing!

My friends trying to teach me chinese!



Our nice Hostel in San Francisco



Watching the Sunset at Half Moon Bay

China Town

Our friendly Hawk at Half Moon Bay

Brandons 2nd flat tire for the Day.

Brandon Stealing strawberries

Riding thru the California Agricultural fields

The seals basking in the sun at Moss Landing

Brandon, Anne & Erik our warm shower hosts.

Mickey & cousing Jill



Our Bicycle Angel!!




This is for you Andrew a road all your own in San Luis Obispo.




Ugly shoulder riding into Santa Barbara



Beautiful Sunsets by the Ocean

Temptation wins Over

Friday July 27, 2012

Brandon had another flat on the way to Monterey, so the count was 5 flats to my 11.  We rode our bikes into Carmel and decided to have a Bagel and Breakfast at Safeway.  After much discussion and looking over the map we decided to opt for a bus instead of doing the one over to Big Sur state Park.  Jamie had taken off 20 minutes before us and it was probably our last time we would see him.  He was stopping in San Luis Obispo and was trying to make it there by Saturday night.  I'm sure we probably could have riden it but realizing we only have a few days left of our vacation we both decided to get as far ahead as the bus could take us.  So $24 dollars later we arrived at the Oceano Campground.  Which was a whopping two day travel on our bikes but 8 hours by bus.  We called my cousin who lives in a town close to SLO(cant remember the name) and she came to visit with us the next morning.  Jill it was so nice to see you and thanks for everything.!!Even though we didn't get to spend much time with you we did have fun and I hope Joe gets the Job in Billings.!!  Jill gave us a ride in her big truck to Cambria, from there we rode to Lompac, then all the way into Santa Barbara.  We had spoken to my sister Laurie who lives in Palm Springs.  We were to meet her in LA or try to get there by Sunday.  We stayed our last night at the Carpinteria state Beach, which was the most expensive state park we had stayed on our whole trip $10/person and showers were not free they cost a quarter per 1 1/2 min.  It was a nice state park we met up with David who we had not seen since two days before our first break in Florence, Oregon.  He told us he had ridden for five days with Peter and we asked about the road over to Big Sur.  The book we are following says there are no shoulders and to be very careful.  He told us one of the gentleman he started riding with had actually gotten clipped by an RV so it was quite scary and shook the whole group for awhile.  I was glad we had opted out of that section of the trip.  I told him to give us a call as he and his girlfriend are planning on a bike trip into Utah.  We would gladly host them for a warm shower.  We said good bye that evening and told him our plan to stop in LA.  He was traveling all the way to San Diego and was taking a flight out on the 4th of August.  It has been the best time we have ever had on a vacation.  In alot of ways I wish this road was a bit safer (shoulder) and since this is such a popular ride some of the drivers were a little more patient.  It was nice to know we could actually ride the whopping 1418 miles we put on our bikes without killing one another.  Okay so we did have one little break down in Santa Cruz(Hehe, I'm not gonna LIE).  We enjoyed the beautiful parts of the country we saw on our bikes and the people we met were so beautiful, warm and friendly!!!  Our passports wont be stamped again in Mexico but we are alright with that, I am so proud my girls made it to their destination.  They started  on May 25th in Anacortes, Washington and arrived in Bar Harbor Maine on Sunday July 29th with a whopping 4,000 miles on their bikes.  Way to go Hannah & Chloe!!!!  Hoping for Better roads and more support for all those bikers out there on the road!  Thank you Laurie & Andrew for coming to get us to be able to spend time with you and hopefully not gain all the weight back that was just lost!!  Until our next Adventure  :)  Mickey & Brandon

Half Moon Bay State Park

We finally arrived at Half Moon Bay State Park unscathed.  It was a very pretty ride after we got out of the City and found our trail.  We arrived and decided to go into town for a spare tube as Brandon had a flat on our way there and just used another tube.  He had rotated his tires out because the back was getting worn out.  It was a beautiful beach at Half Moon Bay and we saw Jamie again.  There was a hawk that was watching over our campground so no little vermen had gotten into our bag of food.  Which is the biggest thing at night we must do is put our food away in a bear box so no animals get to it.  The next morning we had decided to ride into Santa Cruz and finally do a warm showers.  Anne was a very good host and gave us a nice path to travel so we could see a lot of the beautiful city of Santa Cruz.  She has two dogs which were very nice and they were shy but seemed to like Brandon.  We met Eric the next day and he is a cyclist also they are both very energetic and were the best hosts as we had never done warm showers before and were a little nervous.  Thank You so much Anne!!  We left early but of course as usual got a little backwards on the map.  The ride to Monterey as the book says is pretty uneventful and boring because you travel along a lot of strawberrie fields and agriculture.  Brandon and I both found it facinating and we were tempted too much by the beautiful aroma of the strawberries so Brandon went and grabbed two plump delicious ones for us to gobble down before getting caught.   When we were about 10 miles away from camp we ran into a very nice gentleman who stands by the Pacific Coast Trail every day at 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. as the bike angel, he offered us water and fresh cookies he had made and power bars.  It was so sweet he has literally been the first person that has offered any help along the road.  He told us his daughter was hiking the Pacific Coast Trail and is almost into Oregon, she started from Mexico.  Too far for me!! Jaimie was there at camp and wondered were we had camped the night before because we are all following the same book.  Told him we used the warm showers, discussed the map for the morning then decided to turn in for the night.  Monterey has a Naval training base so we were put to sleep with Taps and early rise the next morning to revely.  It was pretty neat!

San Francisco - Hoorah!!

So I was up early Sunday morning could. Of wait for the ride into the city. Ray and Katherine left then Sierra who was meeting her father up north another 30 miles then he was driving her back into the city. We probably won't be seeing those people again as ray and Katherine were to fly back to quebec once they rested in San Francisco. Luckily we stopped for coffee otherwise both Brandon and I thought we were literally hauling ass with these fast riders. Hooray a stop for a burrito in sausalito before the big climb. So thankful to the guys and mike and Julie for getting us to the city so quickly and seeing a lot of beautiful little towns and homes along the way. We were riding up this huge hill to get to the bridge along the way saw a doe and her two fawns that we're tiny. It was sunny but you could see the bridge from a distance, I just felt overwhelmed and even now am teary eyed because of actually knowing we pedaled this far! Mike and Julie let us stay with them till big mike came to pick us up.im just calling him big mike but by no means is he, Brandon met him on the plane coming out here so he gave him his number and told us to call for a place to stay. He and Alecia were perfect hosts I only wish we had met his wife Mary but maybe we will see her sometime because she is a flight attendant for southwest airlines. This family is really into their sports big mike is an accomplished runner and cyclist that is how he and Mary met. Thank you so much for a great meal and beautiful warm home. The next day we took a full day for rest took the Bart back into the city. Stayed at the city center hostel which was a very nice clean spot. They warned us about what area to not wander in the dark. I got a yummiest treat(thanks isa) called holahola then we walked every where, waterfront, mission district and finally lunch in china town.( sorry andrew next time we will stop for sure). We left the next day after our two dollar all u can eat eggs and pancakes they also had a free continental breakfast. Brandon decided to take us on a short cut which turned out to be quite ugly those huge hills for one(beautiful view)and found ourselves on the interstate (nightmare!!)so normally my honey would watch out for both and let me know when it was safe to cross, sorry when you see it clear Mickey your on your own. Nice!! The nice sight we saw coming up the big hill was a guy with his sun parrot it was so cute. Andrew you would have loved seeing this sight!! Next stop half moon bay if we get there alive!

Samuel P Taylor Campground Party

July 22, 2012 So We left Bodega Bay and of course the first thing in the morning was to find a coffee spot. So we found an interesting place where our cute little Barista informed us that not only was she a coffee Barista but also a duck egg washer, and a Bee Keeper. Apparently the organic farm she works for is getting very busy with duck eggs but they do not want to hire anybody else because she is the best handler of these eggs. I guess you are to only handle them 4 times anymore than that they are ruined. Interesting, well she also was a treat to speak to as she was telling us all about Eureka and going to school, she was just working while school was out for the summer. She has a full time love and that is to make Maukasins(sp) that is her true love, so she gave us her card for her aunts company she works for, WindWalkers. For all of you who want a pair. Apparently I was having too much fun being chatty Kathy and Brandon realized the time was ticking so off we left on our bikes. When we arrived at Point Reyes it was a cute but busy town. Brandon should know by now not to send me into a grocery store, so 45 minutes later I came out with lunch. He was a little frustrated but hungry first, then off we rode for the rest of our trip to camp which was 15 more miles. We arrived early and we were able to do a little swimming in the river which was nice and cooling. For the first time in awhile we had a good hot day of riding, no wind aided. We met Glen,Alex, Daniel, Julie, Mike and Sierra. All from the City of San Francisco, who apparently just go out camping for the weekend. It is easier to get a camping spot at the Hiker Biker areas than having a car or trailer, which take a week or even months in advance to get a reservation. It was nice seeing that Ray and Katherine were there and Jaimie continued onto the City. We had a lot of fun talking with everyone and the boys said we could follow them into the City tomorrow, they would graciously show us the way. Of course we were going to take them up on the offer. Before we went to bed we got a disturbing noise outside the tent and my paniers were being attacked by these notorious gangs of Racoons. Brandon scared them away but said they didn't move until he was so close to them, little devils. Off to bed!

Bodega Bay State Park

July 20, 2012
So traveling to Bodega Bay State Park was cold and of course once again a fierce tailwind.  We had some monstrous hills to climb, I am still wondering if these are ever going to end.  It was a nice day.  Your never going to believe who we saw there once we arrived at the campground.  It was Jaimie we had last seen him the day before our rest day in the little train store before we got to Florence.  He could not believe it either.  Well tired from hill climbing we took his suggestion and went to eat at a mexican restaurant 2 miles into town.  We also met a Quebec couple who had been traveling the same route as we had except they took a side tour to see Mt Rainier and wanted to see Mt St. Helens but the road was closed.  Ray and Katherine spoke fluent french and were very nice people telling us all about their road stories and traveling thru Olympia Washington.  It was nice meeting them and they too were heading to San Francisco for a rest day and some fun in the sun.  Which is what I had talked Brandon into doing, he was getting tired with no rest day and not a happy camper.  But I did not want to stop in the cold and rain so was hoping for some sun in the Famous San Francisco area.  Brisas del Mar was the best mexican food I could have had in some time but miss Emmas salsa.  It is funny how easy it is to fall asleep at 8:30 P.M.  No Bike problems since tire blow-out and rotation of Kenda tire from back to front.  Okay well I did have a flat but it was in the morning and since I have not had one!!  Yippie

Manchester KOA Campground

We left Richardson grove state park around 9:30, as I was trying to hurry Brandon along so we could hit the road.  We had a rough hill to climb this day it was the legendary leggett.  Ugh  last huge hill apparently, but this has been said many times before!!  Halfway up the hill I was getting tired and hungry so talked Brandon into a lunch break at the side of the road.  Boy was that sandwich and potatoe salad good.  Its funny how people in their cars pass you and give funny looks (yes we know climbing up this monsterous hill is crazy)  But it was peaceful and their is nothing like smelling pine trees and the birds singing!!  We have not once got out our music.  Which is surprising but we like to hear when the big logger trucks are coming since we still do not have mirrors.  With Leggett passed us we finally arrived in Westport and met up with two very nice ladies, Linda and Janet who work for Caltrans and were hosting an open house to identify problems on the road in the area and widening the shoulder.  I was just wondering about free food and ice-cream.(haha)  They were very nice and took our picture, feeling like true adventurers we left and said our goodbyes after telling them how far we had ridden and all the people we had met.  Saw the brother and sister Jim was telling us about who Brandon thought was a father and son from the night before when we saw them before Benbow campground.  Met up with them again at the end of a huge 7% downgrade before our camp.  So David and Daphne the brother and sister had decided to take a bus cutting 50 miles off their trip and head into Guala.  Brandon thought for a brief moment and then we parted then headed for Manchester State park.  Well after checking out the Grocery store then arriving at the state park with no warm showers we opted for the Manchester KOA.  This has been the best KOA campground we have stayed so far (it is our 2nd on the trip) but really was clean, well maintained, had a lot to do for the kids(movies, go karts, heated pool and jacuzzi, ice cream social and community kitchen with game room) it was nice and guess who we met up with Jim.  He has been so nice to know a really great guy and we have had such nice conversations with him, he had rented a cabin which would have been nice to have shared but we had already paid for our spot so decided to invite him over for dinner.  We all had fun talking about those awful hills and David and Daphne.  Who by the way have been (stealth camping) the whole trip.  They have literally stayed in the same campgrounds with no bill to pay. (Funny)  Before we left the next morning told Jim to have a great reunion and glad to have met him.  The logo on the KOA campground store said " It doesn't matter that life takes your breath away what matters is who you meet and what you see that takes your breath away"  Something like that I cant remember really but it for sure is true, because we have seen so many things that we are appreciative for while peddaling our hind end off, and the people we have met.  Great Times!!

Eel RIver - Best little RIver in the Land

July 17, 2012

Well with spirits high again and a renewed sense of energy.  I thought Oh well what else can happen I am not letting all these tire issues get me down.  So off we were in the cold rain towards our beautiful Redwood forest.  I kept singing and actually so was Brandon "this land is your land"  you know the tune.  Well unfortunately the rain did not let up and passing Meyers Flats was very sad, the winery had closed down and so had the little restaurant.  No Lunch for us, but the nice lady at the grocery store said there was a great place in Miranda 8 more miles up the road and of course you gotta stay on the Avenue of the Giants.  Okay, so off we went for 8 more miles.  Mind you we would have gotten a nice warm cup of coffee there because there is a coffee shop,  but the guy that owns it is not very nice.  Turns out he was not very nice to Jim and Matt the day before either.  Glad we did not stop.  Ate some really great food at the Restaurant in Miranda, and wow were they ever busy due to the rain and all the campers from the redwoods having to come eat there.  We met some other bikers, the young girl was also having tire problems and she said she had broke down and cried yesterday because of all the flats she had been having.  Brandon told them what Jaimie told us about filling them to the max so that would avoid the pinched flats because that was what she had been experiencing.  Met a nice couple in the Avenue Cafe who also provide the Cafe with beef that they raise.  They too are going to be doing an adventure of 200 miles hiking, wow sounds like fun!!  It was a great lunch and later that day Brandon said he thought some of their semis passed us filled with cattle.  We were planning on spending our rest day relaxing there in the redwoods but with it rainy we kept going for Benbow state park.  Well Benbow state park was closed so we went to Richardson Grove State park.  There we saw Jim again and met some more cyclist traveling south.  It was a nice day even with the rain.

Mickey's BreakDown

So it was off and running and so excited to get the day started and head for the lovely place we had stayed at last summer and to swim into the Eel River.  We arrived in Eureka around 11:00 and thought wow we have been here!!  I wanted to eat at the all u-can-eat Indian restaurant, but Brandon opted for McDonalds and free Wifi.  Some of the people you meet there are just plain weirdos, but we did have an older couple ask about our ride and they were very nice.  They had their grandson with them and he was excited for our journey and thought it sounded like fun.  We have been having a great time and are especially thankful for all the nice people we have met so far.  So off we went into town to do the usual find a bike store and pump up Mickey's tires that have to be at the maximum of 130psi and with a liner have been with no flats for three days.  Hooray.  So off to the bike store and the day was sunny with the (tailwind) so it wasnt too bad for riding.  At the bike store Brandon realized one of his spokes were loose so the Official Bike Mechanic at Henderson's Bike shop said he would true his tire for $15.00 and it would be an hour job but could get it done right away.  So we waited and I giggled to myself thinking well at least I have not had any spoke problems.  Ugh!! Why, Why do I do this to myself, Bad luck betty!!  Off we go for Weott.  The shortcut the guys gave us Brandon swears probably made them laugh their heads off as it was quite hilly.  We were making good time so we decided to take a break at Champmans Gems outside of Fortuna.  He has a lot of beautiful gems and jewelry.  We took off with twenty some more miles Brandon said and passing the little town of Rio Del and Pop.  Wholly Crap!! there it was my good luck on tires had run over something on the road, following the same____ path that Brandon was riding.  So we had to walk the bike into town, saw a Napa Auto parts store and one of the customers laughed and said you two have just passed the only town with a Bike store which was Fortuna 8 miles back.  That may not seem far in a car but on the bike it is more like a 45 minute ride especially knowing it would be Brandon riding and uphill.  He tells me now it would have been for sure me riding.  Bill was the nicest customer and offered to take Brandon, half an hour later with tire fixed and Napa Store closing the guys said you had better find a place to camp.  They gave us the number for the Riverside RV park campground, cautioned us on being now in the "Emerald Triangle" and their are no laws.  Scary, tired and depressed with it drizzling rain, we left for the campground. Should have never been laughing at those darn spokes of Brandons!!

Sunset Beach to Cresent City

Bridge into GoldBeach

Bridge after crossing 

Eating at Hooked Diner

Signes we love to see

Hooray California!!

Crescent City - Not Good Luck

So did I mention the mediocre chinese food also ended up increasing the chunk of cap that broke off my tooth.  Now it is sharp again and in need of a Dentist.  We woke up late and did a breakfast at Denny's got scared to death with the security dogs at the back of the Laundromat.  Left town and was thankful, but another Windy day to start out, and cloudy.  Once again it was a day for warm clothes.  Our intentions were to go as far as Patricks Point State Park which was about 65 miles.  We saw Paul Bunyon and his blue Ox and was very surprised he was talking to children that would sit by him answering their questions it was very sweet.  Met a nice family from Idaho, they said to be careful and admired us for being able to ride this far and thought what a great way to get rid of the mid-life middle. HAHA.  So we continued on the sun shining off and on it was a nice ride.  We passed a few other bikers on the road, and stopped for some groceries before heading into the campground.  The Ranger said there was another Hiker/Biker there and Brandon and I had a bet that it was probably either Jaimie or another guy we met from Idaho.  It was neither it turned out to be Matt from Seattle.  He had got caught up in the Wind and also was a little tired in Crescent City and said the campground was a sad place to stay but had a laundromat.  Glad we did not stay.  Met Jim the next morning and he is originally from Portland heading to a family Reunion in Stewarts Point.  It turned out that Patricks Point had the best view that night with the sun finally shining and a beautiful sunset by the Ocean.  We pulled out the next morning around 9:30 I was a little frustrated, but have to remember this is a vacation.  Off to the next state Park which we will be Weott and are so excited to get to the Eel River

Crescent City or Bust!!

We left Humbug State Park, hoping it was going to be a better day.  Matt was traveling to SanDiego also, so told him we would probably be seeing him down the road.  Jim, who was from Idaho had no plans but was just riding,  so we said good bye to him as well.  So of course for the first 20 miles of the trip we had a very strong headwind.  I have been told that I am not to not mention the tail wind if we start having one again, Brandon seems to think I'm bringing (headwind) bad luck.  So off we went to Goldbeach, because that was were we decided to have coffee.  Saw a few cool sights, the large dinasaure statutes and once again a huge bridge before we got into Gold Beach.  I told Brandon that he goes over them too slow so I'm going first, speeding over for my life and whoo no cars passed me.  I just dont feel very safe with what little shoulder they give you and some of the guard rails are so short.  We stopped for breakfast at the Hooked diner and it was very good food, the owner was also our waitress and she was very eager to please and so nice.  She wanted to get more bikers in the door.  She let us bring our bikes in the cafe as she had a huge front area before you get into the cafe.  We saw Matt zoom by, he was a fast rider it was funny because his main meals were macaroni and cheese with tuna, sound familiar to anyone.  We never saw him again that day, we did run into Burt he was also frustrated with the headwinds and said he probably was just going to do thirty miles as his head was not into riding.  Sounded like my little Humbug partner, he too was not into riding as his day was not going well.  Headwind for one was annoying him, he said he didnt mind the hills but (THIS DAM HEADWIND!!)We went across the highest Bridge in Oregon, and that is the final time we have seen Burt, it is callled the Thomas Creek Bridge and is 345 feet, the side of it was daunting as I did not stop to look over the edge like Burt did it was too scary.  Finally arriving in Crescent City around 6:30, cold and took one of my detours according to my map 6miles around the city, which any other time would have been beautiful because it took us by the beach.  Windy, cold (not a good mix) tired and hungry Brandon had had enough so wanted to get a motel.  Okay well at least on the right side of town not the wrong, so we stayed at the Penny Saver Inn, the lady gave us three dollars off(whoop whoop), and we were suppose to go eat at an all you can eat chinese(finally had talked Brandon into it, he likes no other chinese place except the one in Roy).  My bad luck once again and the buffet was closed, so 40 dollars later for mediocre chinese I too had had enough for the day.  More Happy Trails to come?

Humbug Mountain State Park

So we left Sunset Beach at 8:30 the next morning.  Linda and Burt had taken off a half hour earlier, it seems like the start of our day keeps getting later.  Brandon has to remind me that we are on vacation, but since my alarm is usually the birds at 5:30 in the morning it is hard to not get started early.  We said goodbye to shawn and Alecia as they were having their rest day and had planned on doing some Hiking.  We had decided to travel to Humbug state Park, and it was a Humbug of a day.  Lets just say one of us wasnt in the best of moods as our notorious headwind was still with us.    We knew that we had a climb this day as everyone warned us about the seven devils.  To make matters worse it was written on the road  one devil down way to go(at least it was encouraging)  two devils doing a great job(who had time to write all this in the road?)devil three down(Little perturbing)cute devils  but I was ready to be done on the hills.  We had decided to get a cup of coffee once we got into town, lost from a wrong turn and no caffeine in the blood.  Somebody took it out on the local cab driver who was by us and not so friendly to help with directions.  Luckily a lady in a volkswagon gave us directions so our twenty miles to Bandon took forever.  Coffee and a little rehydrated with energy we took off towards Humbug State Park.  It was very beautiful, it seems like never ending hills and apparently a bad attitude, headwinds do not go together for a happy traveler.    We made it to Humbug around 4:30 our usual time met two new friends Jim from Idaho and Matt from Seattle.  Went to the beach for a walk then off to bed.  Finally caught up to Burt in Bandon but he was going further than us because towards the end of the day we started having a tail wind right before we got to camp which was funny
 later every day.

Back on the Road

Sunset Beach Campground

It was very cold outside when we left Venetta, Mandy had given me a beautiful burgandy shirt that reminded me of Hannah.  Brandon said it made me look thinner so I am wearing it again today(haha).  We arrived in Florence about 10:30 and started off, a very heavy heart and not feeling motivated to ride at all.!  Sad to be leaving family that I had not seen in a very long time.  We had the intentions of just going to Coos Bay, but ended up in Sunset Beach almost 60 miles for the day.  We did not arrive until 7:30 p.m..   The map reader for the day had us turning around and going out of our way a whopping six miles, Linda also went the same wrong way so did not feel too bad when arriving at the campsite for the night.  We ended up walking across the bridge, even though we energized ourselves prior to the bridge with peanut butter, bannana honey sandwiches.  I had to laugh (REALLY HARD!!) because at the end of the bridge guess who had a flat tire.  Brandon!! He claims it was because he had to walk his bike over the bridge, either way there it was FLAT!!  It took us about an hour to find Sunset Beach after climbing a hill, going the wrong way to a sandy beach with no facilities.  Once there it was very beautiful, it is amazing to see so many people camping with their families.  If it was warmer this is were we would take you little ones (Andrew, Maika, and Anessa) because the Ocean was right in front of the campground and they had a lot of activities for kids.  We camped with six other riders.  Saw Linda again from the South Beach campground, met some new friends from Victoria, Canada they were celebrating their 1st year anniversary by riding the trail again(Alecia & Shawn)Burt(southern California), Ian (Portland) and Cody.  So Brandon stayed up late and traded road stories.  On our ride to Sunset Beach we saw some beautiful Hawks that were swooping in front of us and were startled (one of us screamed like a little girl) by a beautiful Eagle its wings were very large and made loud whooshing sounds as it took off, after we had interupted its feeding frenzy.  Oregon has the best state parks and has been very accomodating for bikers and or hikers that is for sure. 

South Beach Campground

On our final day before our rest day we would have to travel only 48 miles before we would get to my cousin Mandys.  Well okay officially it would be a whopping 85 but she agreed to pick us up in Florence.  So we would have a short day of miles, well we started off late, 8:30 a.m. out of Newport, Oregon.  We stayed at a very beautiful campground 2 miles outside of Newport called South Beach.  When we arrived that evening a lady tried to run me over while heading to the Library.  The only person so far we have found a little on the mean side, she was honking up to high heaven for me to get off the road.  Brandon was beside himself yelling at her to go around, it just scared me.  Needless to say on our way to the Library was the very helpful Sheriff so we reported her, I did manage to memorize her license plate number.  We got a bunch of food for some spaghetti that night and had the leftovers for breakfast.  Yes, Brandon actually ate some spaghetti (two servings) and he has also been enjoying my V-8 with a snicker bar for a snack.  On our way to Florence we met Doug who has a very cute small house with all his hobby trains.  He started a track for us and was very informative about all the Railroads that used to be independantly owned.  You could tell he enjoyed this hobby very much and loved to talk about it.  While we were there Jaimie knocked on the door, so once again we rode with him for awhile.  Only having seven miles left and tummies growling because we had just eaten breakfast, you would not believe what happened.  Yet again, the flat tire.  I had not had one in two days so it was not as trying on Brandons nerves.  We arrived in Florence two hours later, because one flat led to another and called my cousin from the A&W after filling ourselves with coney dogs and a large rootbeer float.  Mandy picked us up in the Library, were she will also drop us off in the morning.  She still looked the same as I remembered her when we were younger.  Of course she is alot younger than me, but whos counting the numbers.  We arrived at her beautiful house and had a delicous meal.  Went into Eugene the next day and since I had not seen her in years decided officially to take the day off from adding miles to our trip period.  So we lingered the whole day, she showed us Eugene, Oregon.  Which by the way is a very liberal town, they have a naked bicycle ride on the 4th week in June(not sure on the official day) a city ordinance regarding No shirts required so sometimes you see women walking down the street without a shirt.  Then the Oregon state fair, which I think sounds like Woodstock, and this is held in Venetta, we will miss it because it starts this friday.  We saw the stadium for the Ducks and stopped by the Sweet Life Bakery for a sweet treat.  Hannah and Chloe would have been in heaven to try as many treats as this place had in their display case.  Mandys husband Kevin had to work so we picked up a few treats for the family as well.  When we got back to her place it was getting late around 12:30 P.M.  and I still had no motivation to get back on that bike. Soooo when Kevin got home from work he still had his guests:), our bellies full of steak and the best ceasar salad I have ever had!!  Brandon went to help Kevin with a roofing job while Mandy and I stayed at her house and watched the movie (the help).  They have the two cutest boys Gavin and Wade, who stayed occupied by listening to our stories the first night, by the second day they probably saw we were boring and were wrestling with each other and playing video games.  I am so thankful we stopped because we had the best time and like my girlfriend Isa said, I have another timeshare now in Oregon.  Thank you Mandy & Kevin you two were the best ever and we for sure will be seeing you guys next summer, if not sooner!! hehe

Victoria Hostel to the Oregon Coast

Brandon changing my first flat tire

Near the Ocean

Going up the second of three Capes in Oregon

Mickey and Peter in Lake Sylvia

The beginning of the 4 mile Astoria Bridge

The Oregon side of the Astoria Bridge from a distance

A fellow Rider (Jamie) from New York

Depot Bay Bridge (The worlds smallest harbor)

Doug's model railroad (A small house of the side of the 101)

The Last Cape (Cape Perpetua) a 2 mile climb

Near Hoodsport

Shucking Oysters (Lilliwaup Washington) 

Mickey's only friends :)

"You'll find it at Fred Meyer" ha ha

Buying some Kettle Corn in Rockaway Beach Or.

Tillamook Cheese Factory