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.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
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.
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.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
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
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Victoria Hostel to the Oregon Coast
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| Brandon changing my first flat tire |
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| Near the Ocean |
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| Going up the second of three Capes in Oregon |
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| Mickey and Peter in Lake Sylvia |
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| The beginning of the 4 mile Astoria Bridge |
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| The Oregon side of the Astoria Bridge from a distance |
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| A fellow Rider (Jamie) from New York |
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| Depot Bay Bridge (The worlds smallest harbor) |
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| Doug's model railroad (A small house of the side of the 101) |
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| The Last Cape (Cape Perpetua) a 2 mile climb |
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| Near Hoodsport |
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| Shucking Oysters (Lilliwaup Washington) |
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| Mickey's only friends :) |
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| "You'll find it at Fred Meyer" ha ha |
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| Buying some Kettle Corn in Rockaway Beach Or. |
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| Tillamook Cheese Factory |
We need to get going!!
July 10, 2012
Brandon and Peter decide the day of riding on the evening of our stay in Nehalem Bay, so officially it was Sunday night. We had told my cousin Mandy who I have not seen in years that for sure I would be there on Tuesday. Peter informs us we need to ride a few more miles. Okay so off we go to conquer the last of the three peaks in Oregon, Cape Lookout . We left at 7:00 and started off with Peter then we all got separated, but ran into an awesome kettle corn maker and had a yummie snack. On our way we got to stop at the Tillamook cheese factory it was very fulfilling because we ate good. Free snacks of cheese and HUge pieces of peperoni sausages and a free scoop of Ice cream for dessert. Yummie we got a snack and then off to Subway for some lunch, then who do we run into but Jaimie, he was a gentleman we also met at the campsite in Nehalem Bay but he was traveling to San Francisco. We ate lunch with him and got back on the bikes for the remainder of our journey for the day. We just needed to go an additional 20 miles which was not very far now that we have been riding for a few days. The wind was at our backs so we made it to Cape Lookout quite quickly, then took the route to skip the last peak and of course Peter was already on the route so we knew we had taken the right turn. Cape Lookout was beautiful, we stayed right by the ocean and it was a little chilly in the evening but still beautiful, found a Sand Dollar on the beach. It was my lucky day, also no flat tires! Maybe I am suppose to finish this trip after all!! haha
Brandon and Peter decide the day of riding on the evening of our stay in Nehalem Bay, so officially it was Sunday night. We had told my cousin Mandy who I have not seen in years that for sure I would be there on Tuesday. Peter informs us we need to ride a few more miles. Okay so off we go to conquer the last of the three peaks in Oregon, Cape Lookout . We left at 7:00 and started off with Peter then we all got separated, but ran into an awesome kettle corn maker and had a yummie snack. On our way we got to stop at the Tillamook cheese factory it was very fulfilling because we ate good. Free snacks of cheese and HUge pieces of peperoni sausages and a free scoop of Ice cream for dessert. Yummie we got a snack and then off to Subway for some lunch, then who do we run into but Jaimie, he was a gentleman we also met at the campsite in Nehalem Bay but he was traveling to San Francisco. We ate lunch with him and got back on the bikes for the remainder of our journey for the day. We just needed to go an additional 20 miles which was not very far now that we have been riding for a few days. The wind was at our backs so we made it to Cape Lookout quite quickly, then took the route to skip the last peak and of course Peter was already on the route so we knew we had taken the right turn. Cape Lookout was beautiful, we stayed right by the ocean and it was a little chilly in the evening but still beautiful, found a Sand Dollar on the beach. It was my lucky day, also no flat tires! Maybe I am suppose to finish this trip after all!! haha
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Astoria Bridge (dadaDUUUUUU)eeek!
July 10th, 2012
So did I tell you that Peter advised us to say San Diego, because it sounds better than Tia Juana.
Had to go over the treacherous Astoria Bridge though! Did I say SCARY!! Both Brandon and I were looking at it in the distance and screaming MOMMIe but realizing (hello what the HELL) our mothers cant help us and for sure they would not take our place. (Sorry Mom & Mom G we both know you two are not very adventurous if you would have seen this bridge to have taken our spots) Luckily for us it was still the holiday weekend and they were doing construction on the bridge. So it was down to one lane for us only the flagger guy maybe did not do us a favor telling us to go first. So he more or less said ride as fast as you can and stay to the right. Peter said it is very windy at the top, so all this in my head and I am not very good at heights, screaming MOMMie again. Off we went, hooray no flat tires an offer of candy at the top, Brandon almost getting hit by a car only to swerve and almost get me. The dark cloud is still following me! Then it was off to Nehalem Bay state Park outside of Nehalem. We had to go thru two tunnels that you push a button before you go thru them to let traffic know there are bikers in the tunnel. Ugh, are you freakin kidding me, how was my luck and these (shut the front door freakin tires). Well off we went and to my surprise one flat tire on the way up the hill after the last tunnel. Brandon was a little perturbed to say the least it was then that we had put the liners in my tires. Off we went to Seaside for the bike store to pick up Liners the family from Salt Lake told us may help. The family are hoping to attend church on sunday in Astoria, Oregon but when we saw Peter again in Nehalem Bay state Park he told us they had just made 30 miles the night before. Not sure if they are going to make it or not. We finally made it to Nehalem Bay, tired and hungry but we ran into Peter again. So we celebrated with a fire and we had pasta primavera (dehydrated style) Saw David again who was the gentleman from Spain that we first met at the Grocery store in Ilwaco. We met a gentleman named Jim who gave us more firewood and told us he was on his way to Seattle. Traded road stories and all went to bed. Okay, make sure all goodies are away from animals, because the bread got half eaten the night before in Ilwaco from something small. Yuk! Happy trails.!
So did I tell you that Peter advised us to say San Diego, because it sounds better than Tia Juana.
Had to go over the treacherous Astoria Bridge though! Did I say SCARY!! Both Brandon and I were looking at it in the distance and screaming MOMMIe but realizing (hello what the HELL) our mothers cant help us and for sure they would not take our place. (Sorry Mom & Mom G we both know you two are not very adventurous if you would have seen this bridge to have taken our spots) Luckily for us it was still the holiday weekend and they were doing construction on the bridge. So it was down to one lane for us only the flagger guy maybe did not do us a favor telling us to go first. So he more or less said ride as fast as you can and stay to the right. Peter said it is very windy at the top, so all this in my head and I am not very good at heights, screaming MOMMie again. Off we went, hooray no flat tires an offer of candy at the top, Brandon almost getting hit by a car only to swerve and almost get me. The dark cloud is still following me! Then it was off to Nehalem Bay state Park outside of Nehalem. We had to go thru two tunnels that you push a button before you go thru them to let traffic know there are bikers in the tunnel. Ugh, are you freakin kidding me, how was my luck and these (shut the front door freakin tires). Well off we went and to my surprise one flat tire on the way up the hill after the last tunnel. Brandon was a little perturbed to say the least it was then that we had put the liners in my tires. Off we went to Seaside for the bike store to pick up Liners the family from Salt Lake told us may help. The family are hoping to attend church on sunday in Astoria, Oregon but when we saw Peter again in Nehalem Bay state Park he told us they had just made 30 miles the night before. Not sure if they are going to make it or not. We finally made it to Nehalem Bay, tired and hungry but we ran into Peter again. So we celebrated with a fire and we had pasta primavera (dehydrated style) Saw David again who was the gentleman from Spain that we first met at the Grocery store in Ilwaco. We met a gentleman named Jim who gave us more firewood and told us he was on his way to Seattle. Traded road stories and all went to bed. Okay, make sure all goodies are away from animals, because the bread got half eaten the night before in Ilwaco from something small. Yuk! Happy trails.!
Monday, July 9, 2012
Another Flat Tire R U Freaking Kidding me!!
July 9, 2012
So we headed to Ilwaco, but at the start of the day was my first flat. I had not even got on the bike yet, so it surely is not my Fat (A). Thats what I am saying and I'm sticking to it!!. Peter laughed and said at the rate I was going it would be shear luck if we could even make a seventy mile day with no flats. Oh just for the record I dont know if I told you all about Johnny he was officially our first rider we met on his way to Seattle with some friends for the fourth of July. We rode with him for awhile and may see him again on the coast of Oregon since he is heading for San Diego. Which by the way Peter says we should tell everyone because it sounds more adventurious(Sp) . So off we went to Ilwaco on a beautiful day bellies full of Subway breakfast and coffee. Halfway there, no tires flat, almost there and especially down the hills, still no flats. We passed Raymond and Brandon said next town we will get a treat (Peter told us if we treated ourselves we can possibly push more miles out). Well little did we know there were no towns between Raymond and Ilwaco. So luckily amongst my weight I had two snicker bars and Brandon had goo. Save the day. More hills and still no flats, yippie as I was laughing and praying that I was glad for a hill a bee decided to ruin my happiness and was fighting with me and my lip. Do not go down hills happy with mouth wide open amongst the hills. Of course a perfect opportunity to meet new people from Canada, also touring. Brandon was going to buzz by them and they wanted to talk with us. They asked about how far the next town was then told us were they had been. Wow what happened to you, Brandon says as he pulled up. The dark cloud continues to hover over me. Ugh. Well glad to say we made it to Ilwaco with no flat tires. Yippie. So it was a good day after all and by the time we arrived my mouth was back to normal. Till next time.
So we headed to Ilwaco, but at the start of the day was my first flat. I had not even got on the bike yet, so it surely is not my Fat (A). Thats what I am saying and I'm sticking to it!!. Peter laughed and said at the rate I was going it would be shear luck if we could even make a seventy mile day with no flats. Oh just for the record I dont know if I told you all about Johnny he was officially our first rider we met on his way to Seattle with some friends for the fourth of July. We rode with him for awhile and may see him again on the coast of Oregon since he is heading for San Diego. Which by the way Peter says we should tell everyone because it sounds more adventurious(Sp) . So off we went to Ilwaco on a beautiful day bellies full of Subway breakfast and coffee. Halfway there, no tires flat, almost there and especially down the hills, still no flats. We passed Raymond and Brandon said next town we will get a treat (Peter told us if we treated ourselves we can possibly push more miles out). Well little did we know there were no towns between Raymond and Ilwaco. So luckily amongst my weight I had two snicker bars and Brandon had goo. Save the day. More hills and still no flats, yippie as I was laughing and praying that I was glad for a hill a bee decided to ruin my happiness and was fighting with me and my lip. Do not go down hills happy with mouth wide open amongst the hills. Of course a perfect opportunity to meet new people from Canada, also touring. Brandon was going to buzz by them and they wanted to talk with us. They asked about how far the next town was then told us were they had been. Wow what happened to you, Brandon says as he pulled up. The dark cloud continues to hover over me. Ugh. Well glad to say we made it to Ilwaco with no flat tires. Yippie. So it was a good day after all and by the time we arrived my mouth was back to normal. Till next time.
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