Time in Saddle: n/a
Distance for the Day: n/a
Accumulated Trip Distance: n/a
Altitudes: n/a
Speeds: n/a
Weather: 40°
Expenditures: $94
(I got a picture for today, and posted it.) I woke up again at 8am along with everyone else, and had a toasted bagel with whipped cream cheese (makes spreading it easier – what an idea!) I continued blogging, when brother-in-law Dave showed up with tales and pictures from his fishing trip to Alaska, from which he’d just returned. He caught 175 lbs of BIG fish, saw grizzly bears, and was kept up by a drunk mountain man who was their guide; in other words, a great time was had by all. He took off after a while, and we later went out to go shopping at REI and have lunch at a Mexican restaurant (I treated my hosts, this time) ($25). At REI, I got a nice pair of waterproof mittens, a can of bicycle degreaser, and a whistle/compass/match holder (which I use to hold my earplugs) (to replace the one I lost the other day) ($69). We then returned home, where I degreased and cleaned my trike’s chain and drive components, and re-lubed them. Bob found a nut and bolt to replace the screw I had jury-rigged to (sort of) hold my rear wheel fender, so that was now much more secure. I then went back into the main house to continue blogging. Bob showed me his electronic chanter, which I expressed an interest in, earlier. The chanter is the flute-like part of a bagpipe rig, and an electronic one works just like a real one, but doesn’t need air – just finger contact. It’s heard through earphones, so you can use it anywhere, without disturbing anyone else. Very cool. Leslie cooked up a terrific dinner of (ack! I forget – pork stew?) and corn bread. Anyways, it was wonderful. We talked about their experiences in Ireland and Scotland, about our ancestors, and about the Japanese internment during WWII. Afterwards, I went back to blogging, and because she would have to get up early the next morning, Leslie and I said our farewells before she went to bed. Bob also went to bed, but he would probably be around to see me off. I stayed up until 1am finishing my blogs, uploading them, adding the pictures, and making them available.
12 comments:
Don: Good to get your updates; do you think you will make it to home before you encounter the dreaded white stuff?
Tom of Maine
I just discovered your blog via a link at the Trice web site. What an amazing trip! I'm glad to see that you are doing such a trip in your 50s. It gives me hope that I could try something like it at my advanced age of 59. I will enjoy following the rest of your exploits.
John
Hi Tom: (Have we met?) I believe I *will* avoid the dreaded white stuff. The next week's weather is looking pretty good, and if I can make it into western Washington and to the coast, I should avoid it altogether. HOWEVER, I fear I will undoubtedly have to deal with LOTS of the dreaded clear, liquid stuff (rain). I don't care - nothing short of a catastrophe will stop me, now, from making goal. ;~Don
Hi John: Thanks for the interest in my blog. Yeah, I thought I was pushing it at 53, but I've seen and heard of others into their 60s and even 70s still doing cycle tours. When I started this tour, I knew what I *wanted* to do, but realized I may not be able to do all of it. So, I went with the attitude of: I'll do what I can do. And that's really all anyone can do. Cheerios! (crunch, crunch!) ;~Don
Hi Don! I have been reading and patiently waiting for your updates. Been busy at work now that I'm back from Vermont so haven't had a chance to *comment* on anything...just enjoying the read. Glad you are moving closer to coast and should avoid the *white weather*. I can't imagine how you would get your trike thru snow and ice...would prove to be challenging though! All is well here - do you have any thoughts on when you might reach home? Not going to be the end of October...
:) xoxopoo
Tom here: We haven't met, unfortunately, we were close when you were in Brunswick, but I was a day late and a dollar short. Keep up the good work, I've enjoyed your trip immensely and you have given me the hope that I too may do a somewhat shorter trip, even at 67.
Hi Don, Can you help me with changing the text on my draft document on my computer? Just kidding! Steve (OTT) told me about your adventure! I now live in Las Vegas part-time. Hope to be back to the Bay Area and, if I'm in SF, I will be there when you return to the Golden Gate Bridge. Take good care!
Hey Don:
The latest forecast says that the remnants of typhoon Melor are coming across the Pacific to add some moisture to your life early next week--maybe you can add some oars and floats to your trike so you can paddle out to Cape Alava!
--Vince
No updates for a few days! Are you OK???
Hi Don,
Hope is all and well. My parents enjoyed hosting you Monday night in Payette, Idaho. I hope that your ride up to Baker City, Oregon thru Union, and up and over Tollgate went well? The weather this week has been sunny, I hope you stayed dry going over the pass. I look forward to following your blog from here on out.
Take care. Leslie
Hi Julie: Hope you had a great time in Vermont - did you get to see the gorgeous fall colors? I believe I have successfully avoided, for all practical purposes, the dreaded white fluffy stuff. A couple of times, I nearly froze my tukas off, but I made it over the Cascade Mtns without so much as a drop of rain, nor flake of snow - how nice! From here on out, I'll just be getting soaked - hopefully, not often. I estimate I should finish the trip sometime in early to mid-November. Wow, I've been at it for so long, now, it's kind of hard to think about not doing it anymore. Sleeping in the same bed every night; not needing to find stealth camping every day; not being able to eat whatever I want in whatever quantities I want...it will be interesting, returning back to a 'normal' life. Love ya! ;~Don
Hi Tom: Oh, okay - I wasn't sure, as I have met at least one Tom along the way (I think one of the bike mechanics at L.L. Beans). Anywho - glad you're enjoying the blog! I'll post more updates, shortly. Whooppee! ;~Don
Tim! Great to hear from you!! Wow, Las Vegas - I was there earlier in this trip. What a town, huh? No shortage of things to see and do there, that's a fact. Hope you and your family are doing well, and that you do get a chance to be there when I get back - that'd be way cool! ;~Don
Hi Vince: Hah! I beat that storm front to the (current) finish line, made it to my old high school buddie's home in Seattle, and will wait it out before setting out, again (whew!) ;~Don
Hi Stephen S: Oh, I'm fine. I generally don't do updates much more than once a week, and sometimes even a little less (like, after as long as 10 days). I have a friend poised to post a 'final update' for me, should I wind up in that Big Stealth Camp In The Sky. So, as long as you don't see *that*, know that I am indeed, okay, and have just backlogged some entries. I thank you for your concern, though. Cheerios! (crunch, crunch!)
Hi Leslie: Oh, your parents were just wonderful! They stuffed me with more good, home cooking, and your dad and I spent hours going over our respective photo collections - it was great. Yes, I escaped all forms of precipitation getting from Boise to Seattle (yaybo!), but experienced the coldest cold temps I've seen on this whole trip. I did manage to survive with all my toes and fingers, though. Read all about it in the upcoming updates to the blog. Thanks for the well wishes for the rest of my trip - this last leg oughta be more exciting than I would like, which I just how I like it. ;~Don
Don,
I wished that I would have found about you a lot earlier in the year so that I could have followed your travels while I was on tour.
I'm on a bent myself "Alice (my EZ-Speedster-AX swb). Between March 23 and August 31, I rode around 13,000 KM through 30 states and Wash DC. I was in Maine in late May.
Speaking of age, I'm 53 also. During the last 16 years, I've cycle toured almost 314,000 KM and made 16 ocean-to-ocean crossings of the United States.
Good luck with the rest of your trip. I'll be following this blog to see how you are doing.
the CyclingRev
http://www.pedalprayers.org
Hi Johannes: Wow! I checked out your web page - you've *really* been around. I admire your work; good for you, and keep on going! ;~Don
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