Portland

We spent all day on wheels today, only it was 4 wheels and in a car. 12 hours of driving from Salt Lake City to Portland. The wind was howling all the way, but from the west so maybe a good omen. 3 fillups on gas, at 3.69/per gallon. When you factor in the cost of the car, it may have been cheaper to fly. Tomorrow we have a ride arranged to the coast, about 1.5 hrs away. Thanks to Bob for arranging, and his cousin Manson for driving us. Hopefully we'll be on the road by about noon, plannning to ride about 40 miles from Tillamook to Lincoln City along the Oregon coast. Check tomorrow's post to see if the plan went well. Weather is cold here, windy and humid, the last part of the drive along the Columbia River Gorge is beautiful. We are staying next to the airport, getting a good deal on the room from Carrie. I'll include prices as we go just for historical interest. We called Lisa in the hospital and she is fine except broken up. Gets out on Tues or Wednesday. Staying next to this airport is giving me nightmares. Until tomorrow.

Salt Lake City

I'm sitting in my brother Tim's house in SLC drinking Don Julio tequila, left over from the trip to the white rim outside Moab. I really feel the need to talk to an airplane!!! Just hope I get over it. Best wishes and ouch to Lisa, who crashed and burned on the trail and broke her pelvis twice, cracked her hip, and tailbone once. Get well soon. The bike is in half in the rented SUV, along with all our things, which are in a box the size of a microwave. We're going to visit here tomorrow, then take off Sun. for Portland. 12 hours. Looks like we have a ride to the coast, thanks to Bob DeGraw-mucho appreciation. We're having pic issues, so none now but mucho later. The only interesting strangers we have met have been the ranger in Canyonlands, who was one step away from an axe murderer. Hovered around a little too much. Met a raven called Murphy also. Great group in Moab- Silke, Maree, I'll call for riding or coffee.

Imminent departure

May has finally come around, and departure time is around the corner.  Happy birthday Tammy.  JJ is coming over this afternoon to pick up Big O, which is now in half.  In Moab we will switch it over the rented SUV, and after the white rim ride we will be off for Portland, then to the coast.  Route is still little uncertain, just because we need a ride to the coast and not sure yet how or which way to get there.  But the tire has to go in the Pacific.  Laura's in Dallas, to return Sunday, then we are out of town Monday.  All coming up fast now, as is my last day at work, which is Sunday-seems bizarre to me.  Next post will probably be from on the road-by the way Mary, thanks for the St. Cristopher medal, we'll need all the luck it can bring.

Now that leaving the Tracon is imminent I'm getting quite a few inquiries about the blog. Welcome all who are interested, I'm going to try to keep it up on the trip even if I have to type from the the underside of an 18 wheeler that has me pinned. We have figured out how to post pics, I think, so expect those on most every blog. Have to do something to keep interest up. Laura, me, or both may be in various stages of undress. I'm about to go into shaved leg mode for the summer, getting ready by buying a few of those Venus razors that Michelle got me started on. No cuts with those!!!! Thanks Michelle, you've done wonders for my knobby knees. My ass is majorly sore from riding 40 miles last week, then again on Sunday. It really gets worked, or maybe it's cause Laura isn't pedaling. She always has liked to cause a p___ in my ass. Not really, if it wasn't for her pedaling that 50lb monster, it wouldn't move. I'm starting to wonder about our pace, doesn't seem like we can do more than about 13-14mph average, which could cause problems. Like 10 hour days on the bike. It's not like you can sprint on it. We may have to think about alternate routes. All part of the adventure hopefully. Any names for the bike yet? How about nicknames for the two idiots riding it? The 2 pics are for practice posting, showing all of the supplies and clothing, etc. we will carry for 3 months. Not much.

Had a great ride on Sunday.The bike is so fun to ride. I see Larry called it big orange. Does that mean a nickname would the big O ? Hmmmmm. I kinda like Obi for" orange bike". yesterday was 78 degrees and today it is snowing. This is a pattern that is getting old. We are getting more efficient on the bike. The turns are smoother and we are using more than 3 gears now! Larry put the clip-in pedals on, so now he is attached. I think he was a little nervous about that. He puts his one foot in and then I start pedaling and he clips in the other one while trusting me to get us going. It worked just fine. We have made a few adjustments to the seat settings and are working on a few others. It really helps to get out there and use everything. I am getting together some of the stuff we need to take and thinking of the most efficient clothing combinations and of course buying lots of tiny little bottles for all the toiletries and such-not much in the way of makeup though. I have to say it feels kind of freeing to have so few choices for the daily dress up! If Mother Nature will cooperate, we will get out again in the next few days.

Overdue

I'm overdue to post a new entry, here it goes. The trip is seeming a little more real now, lots of details are getting taken care of. Quit the Athletic Club for the summer yesterday, and figured out where to put the cars while we're gone. The humble townhouse will be rented out for the trip, to a friend of Laura's that is managing the new spa at the Ritz Carlton hotel. Still trying to figure out how to pay bills and such from a bicycle seat. I have to figure out how to get the bike to Astoria, Oregon. Looks like a rented SUV is the answer, but it's not cheap, around $500. Laura bought a new camera, seems to like it so far, and it takes good videos, so we might get on Utube with a crash or something. I've got some ideas for tricks on Big Orange, so keep checking the blog!!!!! Next post will have pics, we are going to get all our stuff laid out check for size and weight, then show you all how we will exist on 15lbs of necessities.

Had some time, so---went out on the bike last Sunday for about an hour, and took a chance on riding the bike path.  It was so cold there weren't many dogs, etc.  Other than bailing out on a couple of tight turns, we actually could ride without being a hazard.  I knocked the chain off shifting, still don't have a handle on the gears and the shifters.  Riding it reminds me of walking Homer, people see you and just stare.  Have to adjust the seats still, and I'm still terrified of riding with the clip in pedals.  Trying to think of a name for the beast, any ideas.  How about Big Orange?  Someone has to have something better than that.