Out Of Washington...Into Oregon...Back into Washington

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

We were on the road by 7:10...wait...just to cross the street to get coffee and use McDonald's Wi Fi. We have found that the Wi Fi 'sucks' at most motels to say the least.

We were on the road for real at 8:05 and ready to climb. And climb we did! The shortcut (ACA route) to the Columbia River was a challenge. A climb of over 5 kilometers was faced and conquered to get up and over the hills between the Cowlitz River watershed and the Columbia River watershed. The road had another challenge or should I say multiple challenges. There was no shoulder and the logging trucks and the gravel trucks were not real good in the 'sharing department'. They kept us on our toes...or more appropriately on the edge of our saddles!

The Columbia River is huge! At times as we rode along the 'way to busy' State Road 4 you could not tell that it was a river. The wind was creating white caps...and which way do you think we were riding...into the wind of course! We turned off the highway at Cathlamet to head towards Oregon, crossed a long bridge onto Puget Island (which we now know very well) and took a ferry ride to Westport. Welcome to our second State!

Our stay in Oregon was brief. We soon found out that our planned accommodation was no longer in business. What to do? It is 3:00...ride 45 more kilometers to Astoria or turn back, take the ferry 'again', ride 6 kilometers across Puget Island and return to Cathlamet. Great decision, turn around and go back to Washington. One more complication...the sky that had been dark for a while opened up and our ride across the island was an absolute soaker. Can you imagine, us having to ride in the rain 'again'!!!

We are staying in the Hotel Cathlamet. It is a beautifully restored 1923 hotel where we have the run of the place. We have a sitting area outside our room, a large dining/living room and an outdoor second floor patio (not likely to be used since it has continued to pour off and on since our arrival). The owners are great. This has the feel of a B+B.

So today we rode into Oregon and back out of it. Does that mean we will enter our third State tomorrow?

Trip Distance = 71.77 km. Time on our Bikes = 5 hours 2 minutes. Average Speed = 14.22 km. Maximum Speed = 47.42 km. Wildlife Sightings = Canada Geese, Great Blue Herons, Mallards, Red Breasted Mergansers, Cormorants, Stellar Jays, Osprey.

A day off is soon in the cards!!!

Looking down into the valley we had just climbed out of.

Riding along the Columbia River.

Bridge to Puget Island...and off the island.

A Small Taste Of What Awaits

Monday, September 29, 2014

One of the things about staying in RV Parks is that people tend to let you do your own thing. Maybe they think we are nuts...they could be right...that's okay with me!

We were on the road at 7:55. After 3.5 kilometers we found a Starbucks. They have good Wi Fi so we were able to post yesterday's blog and clean up our email. As we were leaving a couple from Eugene Oregon approached us. They were on their way home from Alaska...no they were not on bicycles...but they had tour cycled in the past. It was close to 9:00 and we were still on the edge of Centralia (the wrong edge).

The ACA route through town took us on quite a trail. We saw lots of town...not all good. Eventually we rode out of town and the first major climb of the day began. It was over 3 kilometers long...and we never walked! Climb 2 of the day saw us walk a steep section and climb number 3 saw us practice pushing the bikes again but only for about 100 meters. This is just the warm up for what is to come!

I have not mentioned the rain yet! This was the heaviest rainfall that we have had on this trip. Not only that but it never let up once it started. It was only 11 degrees. We were hot when climbing, cold while descending, and wet all the time.

One of the interesting things that seems to happen to us while 'touring' is that when conditions are bad something positive always seems to happen. Today's positive was that at lunchtime we came upon a State Park Picnic Area when it was raining heavily. The picnic area had a shelter that saved us from a standing on the side of the road lunch. We also got to ride through an old growth forest today in the Lewis and Clark State Park. They were bigger trees than we have ever seen before but we were unable to take pictures as it was pouring rain at the time.

We are in the Timberland Inn and Suites in Castle Rock. We have the room in a 'bit of a mess' with everything hanging to dry including the tent fly.

Trip Distance = 75.49 km. Time on the Bikes = 5 hours. Average Speed = 15.10 km. Maximum Speed = 60.07 km. ((The downhill had a sign that said 16 % grade...we do not ever remember one this steep.) Wildlife Sightings = Great Blue Herons, Stellar Jays, Western Juncos, Canada Geese Look A likes (Identification to come later).

P.S. Despite the negatives today it was actually not a bad ride!

Interstate 5 over the Cowlitz River.

The Chehalis River Valley...Flat Riding All The Way

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Sue's birthday dinner last night in the RV Park might have lacked 'classiness' (a stir fry again!) but the bottle of wine was not a bad one. We will arrange a more 'formal' one when the opportunity arises.

We got up to a 'drenched' tent this morning...and it was not because of the rain. It was one of the heaviest 'dews' that we have ever experienced so the tent fly was 'seriously' wet. We moved all of our gear to the office verandah that had so graciously been offered to us last night in order to have breakfast and pack. We delayed our departure somewhat in the hope that the 'blanket' of fog would burn off but that was not to be. It was also cool as the temperature had dropped to 6 C. For the first time we had to put on our long riding pants and wear fingered gloves to stay warm. So we turned on our lights...wait...a technical glitch...only one wanted to work. After 15 or 20 minutes of playing with them I managed to get all of them working. It seems that they do not like fog...isn't that great...that is when they are needed!

We were on the road by a few minutes to 9:00. The first hour was cold and foggy but by 10:30 the sun had cut through and it forced us to begin to peel the layers off. The rest of the day was great! The sun shone, the scenery was good, and incredibly the riding was flat. We followed the Chehalis River Valley all day on ACA's less travelled route. It is a thin strip of agricultural land along the river. The farming appeared to be 'subsistent' at best as they were attempting to raise beef. We did, however, see a couple of prosperous dairy farms along the way.

We are camping in the Harrison RV Park in the edge of Centralia. A rather 'bizarre' thing just happened. While we were showering and our dirty laundry was sitting outside the laundry room, someone stole a pair of my 'smelly' socks. Oh well, I hope whoever took them really needed them!!!

Trip Distance =62.85 km. Time on the Bikes = 3 hours 46 minutes. Average Speed = 16.62 km. Maximum Speed = 33.04 km. Wildlife Sightings = Stellar Jays, Canada Geese, Great Blue Heron, Red Shafted Flicker, Cedar Waxwing.

Chehalis River Valley.

A Beautiful Ride in The Hills

Saturday, September 27, 2014

We were on the bikes by 8:15 without raingear for a change. We did, however, require our 'flashing lights' as a fog shrouded Shelton.

Today's ride can only be described as beautiful. After climbing up out of Shelton we jumped onto State Road 101 which was our first taste of a full fledged expressway. What a treat. The shoulders were a full lane wide and the climbs were gradual. We then turned onto State road 108 where the shoulders were a little narrow at times but the scenery was great. We stopped and spent some time watching a herd of elk. There must have been 30 to 40 of them grazing in a hayfield. Yes you read that right, I said hayfield. We had come upon a small pocket of agricultural land. The hills became a little bit steeper as we approached the highlands where we again saw lots of evidence of 'clear cutting'. Something has to keep that mill in Shelton running! We also rode through an area that was dominated by Big Leaf Maple trees. Some of them would rival the size of Grey/Bruce's sugar maples! I always thought they only ever grew to shrub size! About this time what should appear but the sun and the fog was quickly burned off. for the last part of the ride we turned onto another expressway and 'flew' into Elma where we stopped for the day. Our speeds on this section were well beyond 25 kilometers per hour which was a great finish to a beautiful day on the bikes.

We arrived in Elma at 11:30, yes that is right, at 11:30 am. Our destination for the day was shorter again so that we could enjoy a partial day off. It also allows us to do some laundry and most importantly gets us back onto our schedule that we managed to get screwed up a couple of days ago.

I guess I would also be in trouble if I did not mention that it is Sue's birthday today. I will not say how old but she has now caught up to me, even if only for a couple of months!!! We could not have asked for a better day except she did mention that it would have been better on a southern beach. She will have to be okay with the Elma RV Park! When we arrived we were given 'homemade' chocolate chip cookies. This place rivals the place we stayed at in PEI, not quite the setting, but certainly matched the hospitality.

Trip Distance = 45.01 km. Time on the Bikes = 2 hours 50 minutes. Average Speed = 15.86 km. Maximum Speed = 40.13 km. Wildlife Sightings = 30 to 40 Elk.

PS. Happy birthday Mary Lou. We will soon be celebrating your 50th!!!

Elk Herd Grazing in Hayfield

Good Advice From a State Trooper

Friday, September 26, 2014

It rained heavily all night. It is a good thing we were not camping. However, it did not stop! After enjoying (sort of) our continental breakfast we were on the road by 8:05. The reason for the 'sort of' was that both of us had a minor 'stomach bug' and we were questioning our departure. And no way did it have anything to do with the local beer last night!!! We had to find our way back onto our route as without knowing it we had got ourselves lost coming into Bremerton yesterday. (I guess you are not really lost if you do not know it.) After consulting the front desk we were on the road in a heavy downpour. Day 6 and 5 days of riding in the rain!!!

As we were finding our way back to the ACA route we met a State Trooper who turned around and followed us. As we were about to head towards Belfair on Old Belfair Road the State Trooper pulled up beside us and rolled down his window. He asked: "Do you know what you are going to face going that way?" We answered in the negative and he suggested that we did not want to take that route as it was extremely hilly and suggested that we just jump on to the Highway 3 Expressway and that we would enjoy our ride a lot more. State Trooper = 1, ACA = 0.

Now the day was not without its challenges. When highway 3 became a two lane road we faced a 3.5 kilometer climb and several 1 kilometer climbs. Up and down we went and at times we thought we were in Northern Ontario or Newfoundland as the logging trucks were numerous and 'clear cutting' was the order of the day. It rained heavy at times while at other times the sun shone. We followed a body of water for the last 10 kilometers and soon found out why Shelton exists as at the entrance to the town we came upon a 'massive' lumber mill. The scenery was good but was hard to truly enjoy as the shoulder or lack of one made us ride a 'tightrope' at times.

We are again in a motel, The Shelton Inn, as it is pouring rain and has been since we arrived. Overall a good day in the saddle!!!

Trip Distance = 60.78 km. Time on The Bikes = 4 hours 10 minutes. Average Speed = 14.53km. Maximum Speed = 45.53 km. Wildlife Sightings = Great Blue Heron, LBD's.

Sue Wanting to Take a Bus...Actually we were using the bus shelter as a lunch place to get out of the rain.

Giving ACA a Second Chance

Thursday, September 25, 2014

As we got up this morning it started to rain...can you imagine...the magnet continues! We moved all our gear to the picnic shelter and packed up a wet 'tent fly'. We were on the road by 8:50 riding in the rain and planning a short day.

We had decided yesterday that we needed a short riding day today for multiple reasons. Sue's legs were not responding well to our climbs (mine on the other hand seem to be okay but I am overdue for a bad day!), but more importantly we needed to do laundry. Day 5 and no facilities to do laundry. We were becoming 'stinky'. As we crossed Canada we never really struggled with this chore as most campgrounds and some motels had laundry facilities. That has not been the case in Washington. As a result we will be forced to take time during the riding daytime to look after this 'necessary evil'. So part of today was spent in a Laundromat outside of Bremerton.

We decided to give the American Cycling Association route makers another chance today. There was a direct State Highway route and then the less travelled ACA route. As we turned off the highway we began again to question our wisdom but the ride was actually quite pleasant. some long climbs were encountered but none were too severe. Our positive attitude toward the ride and ACA today could be due to our short riding distance. (Yes Mary Lou and Ken...we will try to get to LA on time!) The other concern that I have had about the detail of their maps is that they are quite detailed so you get fooled into thinking they everything exactly correct. As Sue says we should only be using them as a guide and not be treating them like the 'bible'. We will see...can you tell I am still a little bit skeptical?

We are staying at the Super 8 in Bremerton. We have been across the road to the 24 hour grocery store and are presently enjoying a locally brewed beer. We are considering today a 'partial' day off to re-invigorate ourselves.

Trip Distance = 33.23km. Time on The Bikes = 2 hours 21 minutes. Average Speed = 14.04 km. (might have been harder than we thought). Maximum Speed = 45.20 km. Wildlife Sightings = Raccoon trying to get into a chicken coop.

Kevin Blogging While Dinner is Being Prepared

Having Doubts About ACA...Friendly Americans

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Last night we had an enjoyable dinner in Toby's Tavern, a business that has been in existence for more than 100 years. It was on the waterfront and literally hangs out over the water. It was full of memorabilia and served its own beer, not bad by our standards, realizing we had a long day and were thirsty and hungry for 'pub grub'.

After enjoying our continental breakfast (and I might add we did it justice) at the Inn, we were on the road by 8:20 in full rain gear. It was raining heavily. Yes Day 4 and 3 days of rain! The first couple of hours were miserable . It was too cold to go without rain jackets and too warm to have them on. That might have had something to do with the up hills and the down hills we faced. More on that later.

After about 45 minutes we jumped on to the Coupeville/Port Townsend Ferry for our escape from Whidbey Island. This was the flattest part of the ride today...hands down!

Now for the rant...We have been following the American Cycling Association's Pacific Coast maps. Last night we received an e-mail from friends who are presently cycling in the US who have similar concerns about the routes that this organization puts together. Whoever designs the routes must love to climb or as our friends put it they must think the most direct route is 'too busy' and the secondary route is less travelled. However, the secondary roads are hilly, curvy (not sure if that is a word), shoulderless (not sure if that is a word) at times. Today's route was neither scenic, nor was it shorter. We suspect that the State Highway was flatter and we know that the ride would have been a heck of a lot shorter. There are a couple of more concerns about the maps that I am sure I will return to another day!

As we struggled along today, resting, walking (we were practicing our 'speed pushing'), and map reading, we were approached several times and asked if we needed help...realistically if they were not psychiatrists they probably could not have helped us...but it was nice just the same. While stopped in Port Townsend an employee of a Creamery came out enquiring about our adventure and gave us a 'wheel' of cheese. We promptly devoured it with lunch.

We are set up in Kitsap Memorial State Park which is located 30 to 35 kms. from Bremerton. We are by ourselves in the Hiker/Biker section of the park and are presently cooking dinner in the picnic shelter area as it is threatening rain...again. Bonus...I do not think there are any trains that can bother us tonight.

Trip Distance = 56.96 km. Time on the Bikes = 4 hours 14 minutes. Average Speed = 13.43 km (that will tell you something about today's ride). Maximum Speed = 48.56 km. Wildlife Sightings = Horned Larks, Great Blue Herons, Canada Geese, Western Juncos, 5 raccoons on the street in Coupville.

Sunset Behind the Clouds in Kitsap Memorial State Park

Wind, Rain, Hills...Take Your Pick

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Larrabee State Park is a nice park but the camping leaves a whole lot to be desired. The site was beautiful but the trains, six in total...yes I said six...made sleeping difficult. (At least for me!) The tracks were right behind the campsite and the road was right above us.

Enough complaining for now. We were up at 6:00 to the sound of raindrops. That is not what we wanted to hear when we wanted to take down the tent. We scrambled to pack everything onto the bikes and coasted to the picnic shelter area where we unpacked again in order to have our coffee and oatmeal. We were on the road by 8:15. It was not raining but about 15 minutes later we were forced to put on our rain jackets as the rain began. We rode in the rain off and on all day. Day 3 and 2 days of rain...our luck continues!

The rain was only part of our issue today. As we left Chuckanut Drive behind we rode through some re-claimed farmland...and yes it was flat...but the wind began to pick up and at times made the flat riding difficult. That was nothing compared to the end of the day when the winds were extremely strong, so strong that controlling the bikes in the crosswind was difficult. And did I mention the climbing? The last 50 kms. of today's ride was a series of climbs followed by quick down hills. Nothing that 'Granny' could not handle but tiring just the same. We are checked into the Coupville Inn in Coupville. We are about to go out for dinner. Our tent is almost dry out on our balcony. I am sure the people from the Inn will be glad to see us pack that stuff away.

And for those people who think that the ride today was awful, you would be wrong! The views on Chuckanut Drive and on State Highway 20 through Deception Pass were spectacular. We also got to talk to other 'touring cyclists' today. First we stopped and exchanged blogs with a couple from Montreal who are on a long bike journey eventually with a destination of San Diego. They have already covered 9000 km. since mid May. Hope to see them again as they will surely overtake us on the coast after they stop off in Victoria. The second cyclist was a guy who had cycled from San Francisco to Vancouver in the Spring and was on his way back to San Francisco by way of Seattle.

Trip Distance = 82.44 km. Time on the Bikes = 5 hours 18 minutes. Average Speed = 15.55 km. Maximum Speed = 42.53 km. Wildlife Sightings = Great Blue Herons (by the dozens), Stellar Jay, Kingfisher, Rabbit.

Deception Pass Bridge - Our First Taste of Crosswinds

Re-Learning To Play In Traffic

Monday, September 22, 2014

We took our time this morning leaving the campground. It was after 9:00 am. (I know incredibly late in my books.) We knew that we had a short day...a planned day to buy supplies and a cell phone. And can you imagine we left in the rain...yes day 2 and our first rain day. I am sure it will be the last...not! By noon it had stopped but our re-introduction to riding with traffic was well underway. Bellingham was a nightmare to say the least. Too many cars, an expressway with a series of round-a-bouts, and not enough room on the shoulder at times for cyclists was the order of the day. And have I mentioned how much I hate riding in cities? Our 'American Cycling Association' maps were invaluable but at times we questioned their reasoning for their route. We can only assume there is no better.

Leaving Bellingham behind was a relief as we new we were in for a treat. Chuckanut Drive is a 'world renowned' scenic drive. It has multi million dollar homes tucked up in the hills overlooking Bellingham Bay. We probably would have enjoyed the views were it not for the climbing we started to do. Long gradual climbs followed by quick down hills got us to Larrabee State Park (Washington's first State Park) where we are set up on a 'massive' campsite tucked under large pine and cedar trees. The climbing has only just begun!

Trip Distance = 48.93km. Time on the Bikes = 3 hours 13 minutes. Average Speed = 15.14 km. Maximum Speed = 44.82km. Wildlife Sightings = Tough to see anything in nature while riding in cities!!!

Sunset in Larrabee State Park.

WE ARE OFF!!!

Sunday, September 21, 2014

We were on the road by 9:00 am. but I will get back to today later.

Now for Saturday...a lot happened yesterday and most of it was good. After serving us breakfast, Nanc took us for our 'shakedown' ride. We rode part of our departure route up and across the 'Golden Ears' bridge and over to Fort Langley and back. 68 kms later we were back in Maple Ridge. A new bike speedometer was purchased for Sue as the old one (stressed by the bike shop that the old one was really old...)had an electronic hiccup, the first of our electronic issues for the day. After dinner we realized we had a computer problem that might make blogging more difficult...we will see.

Back to today's ride...Nanc again rode with us to the bridge where we sadly said our goodbyes. It was at this time that we realized we were truly beginning another adventure and the nerves temporarily 'kicked in'. The 'slog' up and over the bridge soon fixed that. It was a nice ride (hotter than we expected as the temperatures hit 27C) down(using the word 'down' loosely) to the border. The crossing was simple with only 2 questions asked. However, the guy was not very friendly and appeared like smiling would have hurt him. We had a short ride to Lynden and an even longer ride into, through, around, and back through Lynden again. We are set up in the 'elusive' Lynden/Bellingham KOA campground. We are able to watch ducks and geese puddling on the pond.

Again thanks to Nanc and Gashaw for your hospitality. We owe you 'again'. And Nanc, if you get yourself back to Ontario, you ARE coming on a tour with us!!!

Distance = 65.00km. Time On The Bikes = 4 hours 7 minutes. Average Speed = 15.78km. Maximum Speed = 57.11km. (I guess there must have been a good downhill!!!) Wildlife Sightings = Not much except horse farms.

View of the Golden Ear Peaks from the Golden Ears Bridge.

A Day To Get Ready

Friday, September 19, 2014

Today was all about trying to make sure all of our gear was ready to go. The bikes were put back together, a new mirror was installed, electronic devices charged and the laundry was done. We have our stuff spread all over the basement and one wonders how it will all go on the bikes for our Sunday morning departure.

We were treated to an authentic Ethiopian meal in New Westminister. Thanks guys!

If today had a downside it was that we were unable to go for a ride as it poured rain all day. I hope that is not an indication of what is to come. Tomorrow we will get on the bikes for a 'shakedown ride' we hope.

I do not seem to be as nervous this time as I was in 2010 when starting across Canada. I hope that 'confidence' does not come back to bite us in the ass!!!

A Day In The Mountains

Thursday, September 18, 2014

We were off from our campground by shortly after 6:30 am. To say the least we were the only people up and moving within the campground at such an hour.

For Sue we were entering new territory. She had never gone through the mountains on the Trans Canada. As a result we stopped at some of the historic sites as we drove, the first being the "spiral tunnels' and later the location of the 'Last Spike'. By the time we had reached Kamloops we had decided against the short cut (The Coquihalla Highway) and stayed on the old Trans Canada. It was new territory for both of us and there were many more tremendous views as we headed down through the Fraser River Gorge towards Hope.

We arrived in Maple Ridge at Nancy and Gashaws by 6:00 pm, another 12 hour plus day. The drive has been fun but we are glad it has ended.

Wildlife Sightings = Elk.

The Thompson River Valley.

Vast Spaces, Changes in Terrain, Changes in Scenery

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

We left the Travel Inn in Regina before 7:00 am (I had better not get too used to this) setting out on another long day. After more than 10 hours on the road we have arrived in Two Jacks Lakeside Campground in Banff National Park.

What a change in scenery we have experienced over the last 2 days. Leaving Dryden and entering 'flat Manitoba' was almost a welcome change...I know it should not matter...I am in a vehicle. As yesterday progressed and we entered Saskatchewan the terrain became somewhat hilly (not what most people believe about this province) and as we crossed into Alberta the terrain flattened out again despite the fact that we were gradually climbing towards the mountains. After leaving Calgary behind, the mountains appeared in all their glory. As I write this we are nicely tucked into the edge of the mountains. Every direction we look is another snow capped vista.

For those 'farmers' out there, 'despair not', your brethren in the West are in just as bad of shape as you without much wheat or canola harvested. Cash croppers in the Calgary area will have to wait until next year to harvest anything as the wheat crop was flattened by the snow storm of a couple of weeks ago.

Wildlife Sightings = Pronghorns, unidentified ducks (L.B.D.'s), White Pelicans, Snow geese.

And to copy our friend Pat's sign off...Life is good preparing supper while tucked into the mountains!

20 Steps From Our Campsite.

Reflecting Back...

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Yesterday's drive up and around Lake Superior was breathtaking at times and darn well boring at other times. The rock cuts and the magnificent views, however, more than made up for the 'vast nothingness' on the way to Dryden. It was a long day in the saddle...oh...I guess that is not true...it was along day in the truck...I am getting ahead of myself. The day did give us time to reflect upon our bicycle ride through the area in 2010. No wonder 'Cross Canada Cyclists' find this area so difficult and complain a lot about it. We knew it was 'hilly' but had forgotten just how difficult it was. Up and down all day. It is hard to believe that we actually climbed those hills day after day after day! Reflecting back, we must have been in great condition...if only that could be true for the start of this adventure...Oh well it is what it is...we will deal with what we have to deal with...still a little nervous!!!

We made it as far as Dryden last night where we stayed in a really nice, small, and I cannot stress enough, clean place called the Hide-Away Motel.

We were up and at it early again this morning...Sue's suggestion that we get up at 5:30 am...do not know what is going on...but I will take it. It has been another long day and we are presently 100 km from Regina where we plan to stop for the night.

Time in the saddle (truck) on Monday = 12 1/2 hours. Time in the truck today = 11 1/2 hours.

Wildlife sightings = lots of ducks too difficult to identify while flying by at 110km, Snow Geese.

For Those of You Who Understand...Always a Special Place For Us

The Adventure Begins... Sort of!!!

Monday, September 15, 2014

It is our second day on the road...sort of. We have travelled over 1000 kilometres...already. Let me explain. We had planned on an early Sunday morning departure but decided to get the adventure underway early, leaving home at 4:30 pm on Saturday. We travelled to Parry Sound where we stayed in the Knights Inn in downtown Parry Sound...rather seedy to say the least. Sunday we travelled as far as Agawa Bay Campground in Lake Superior Provincial Park just south of Wawa. And no, we are not on our bikes. They are nicely 'standing' in the back of the truck travelling 'much faster' than they would if we were on them.

It is Monday morning and we had a 6:30 am departure from the campground (really early for Sue). We are presently 'cruising' close to Marathon. And Oh, yes, we have already had a bike 'break down'. Well not really a 'break down' but have had a mirror 'snapped off' of my bike. We won't talk about how!!!

The adventure has begun.

The Beach at Agawa Bay Campground

Last Minute Scramble...Again!!!

Tuesday September 9, 2014

Since the last blog entry (Is that really more than a month ago? Where has the time gone?) lots has happened. Work is wrapped up...finally...customers are 'semi' happy...oh well the adventure must go on. From bicycle issues, furnace issues, trying to get the garden cleaned up between rain storms, and getting friends and family to help while we are gone, the scramble really has begun. Our basement looks like a disaster zone...yes more than usual! Our gear is spread all over the place. Hope we have everything.

Oh yes there is that thing called training...the necessary evil! Our training rides are pretty much complete. 1300 kilometers behind us...I sure hope that is enough. But like 4 years ago on our 'Cross Canada' ride we will take it easy for the first few days...some of our family think that we take it easy every day when we ride...right Colin?

5 Days to departure. I guess it is too late to back out now. Too many people know about the adventure and have the blog. The last minute planning is coming together.

We are looking forward to our adventure!!!