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Day 252 - Sun 9-22-02 - mileage today 80.3 – MILEAGE TO DATE = 10,602.55
From somewhere in the woods to Fort Stevens near Astoria

Last night was a great night. I was on the top of a hill in a clearing in the woods. I sat and watched the sun set naturally. I slowly enjoyed a peanut butter sandwich and slept like a baby. Myron and Chuck aren’t too far behind. I got up to watch the moon set on one side of the mountain and the sunrise simultaneously on the other side. It was truly spiritual. Since I was up early I began to ride toward Fort Canby on the SW tip of Washington. Somehow I missed the turn and wound up in Astoria Oregon. So I went to Fort Stevens State Park to camp. That is where I met several cyclists. It is always good to meet other cycopaths (ha-ha) I also met Rosanna who works in Yosemite during the summer and goes to college the rest of the year. I left message for Chuck and Myron that I missed my turn and ended up in Oregon. I hope to meet up with them tomorrow. I don’t know about Chuck though, we haven’t heard from him for several days.

Day 253 - Mon 9-23-02 - mileage today 43.7 – MILEAGE TO DATE = 10,646.25
From Fort Stevens to Nehalem State Park


To my good fortune I found Myron this morning. He rolled in late last night. We decided to have a short day so that Chuck can catch up. We are finding the Oregon coast to be beautiful. We left message for Chuck where we are and hopefully he will catch us.

Day 254 - Tue 9-24-02 - mileage today 79.3 – MILEAGE TO DATE = 10,725.55
From Nehalem to Devil's Lake SP in Lincoln City

We had a great park last night. We are finding the Oregon State Parks to be great. We decided to go to Lincoln City today. We thought it was about 60 miles but, in fact it was over 70. Myron saw each other in Tillamook at about 2:00. We still had about 40 miles to go. I took a tour of the Tillamook cheese factory. WOW, was I disciplined. I would have loved to walk out with an armload of cheese and ice cream but I resisted. It was a long haul to Lincoln City. I never did see Myron show up. He said he might not. I hope to hear from him tomorrow. By the way Myron did see Chuck today and he is fine. He had some banking things to straighten up that is why he was behind.

Day 255 - Wed. 9-25-02 - mileage today 46.7 – MILEAGE TO DATE = 10,772.25
From Lincoln City to Beachside SP near Waldport

FAREWELL FRIEND

Today’s journal is dedicated to Chuck.
Today we bid a fond farewell to our good friend Chuck (OWTE). Chuck has been with us for many thousands of miles. I would guess at least 6 thousand. Chuck is One With The Earth, (OWTE). He is a quiet gentle man, who tries very hard to be apart of conversation in his quiet way. Everybody likes Chuck. Chuck has a real love of nature and mother earth. He will often times quietly disappear only to be found somewhere communing with his natural surroundings; be it a forest or a mountain brook or the mighty pacific. He has a love and relationship with the natural world that many aspire to have and few attain. Chuck has made his goal. He wanted to cycle to the west coast of Oregon and then head inland toward Eugene. He has plans of selling his home in New York and relocating in the Eugene area. So it is with great sorrow we bid farewell and with great joy for the time we had. We wish you all the best and good luck. Jim and Myron

Day 256 - Thurs. 9-26-02 - mileage today 65.8 – MILEAGE TO DATE = 10,838.05
from Waldport to Reidport

BREATHTAKING SIMPLY BREATHTAKING

The Oregon coast between Waldport and Florence is SIMPLY BREAATHTAKING. Short of some stretches in Alaska it is the most scenic coastline I've seen yet. The road, hwy 101 is cycle friendly and the views of the rugged, rocky shoreline are not to be missed. I love the sound of the waves as they come crashing to shore. And the smell of the salty air so thick you can taste it. The sight of seagulls soaring overhead, and the feel of the ocean spray as the wave crash to shore. I'm also very impressed with the Oregon State Park system on the coast. There are many parks to visit along the coast. If you are camping you will find clean, quiet well equipped and managed State Parks. I have cycled and camped in over 40 of our 50 states and to date Oregon has the best park system.

Day 257 - Friday 9-27-02 - mileage today 50.1 – MILEAGE TO DATE = 10,888.15
From Reidsport to Bandon

Today was once again a beautiful clear day. We are being spoiled here in Oregon. We weren’t on the coast too much though. I really like when I can see the Ocean. We have had a lot of gravel on the side of the road due to the road being recently chip sealed. The sign said roadwork next 8 miles but, we had a lot of gravel for a0over 40 miles.  It is dangerous to ride in the gravel because you don’t get much traction. Your bike sort of hydroplanes. It is especially bad going down hill.  We ended up camping in an RV park about 3 miles south of Bandon.

Day 258 - Sat 9-28-02 - mileage today 52.3 – MILEAGE TO DATE = 10,940.45
from Bandon to Gold Beach

I woke up again in my tent. I still wake up thinking this is all a dream. I really am in my own bed dreaming. I can’t wait until the trip is over. Not that I'm having a bad time. Nor is it that I'm not having fun. It’s just that I'm tired of living on the rode in a tent constantly on the move. Myron and I both feel the same way. We are Gypsies on bikes. Always setting up camp and tearing it down 10 hours later.  It is hard to feel relaxed or comfortable when you are always on the move. There are many freedoms though. My biggest concern in life is what am I going to eat and where will I be staying. Neither one is very hard to find.

Day 259 - Sun 9-29-02 - mileage today 57.5 – MILEAGE TO DATE = 10,997.95
From Gold Beach to Crescent City

CALIFORNIA HERE WE COME

Right back where we started from. Today we entered California at 2:55pm. We began and will end in California, our home state.  We will arrive in the bay area in about 10 days. We would like to stay there for 4-5 days and rest before continuing the final push to Encinitas. We camped at the fair grounds in Crescent City, which are right in town, convenient to cafes. We are really happy to be on the final leg of our trip. We have been cycling for over 9 months now. I have to say that the southern Oregon coast is nothing more than spectacular. It is a must see for any ocean lover.

Day 260 - Mon. 9-30-02 - mileage today 18.3 – MILEAGE TO DATE = 11,016.25
From Crescent City to Klamath

We had a short to day to do laundry and showers and just generally rest.
We stopped at a visitor’s information center as we always do when we enter a state. We get free state maps that way. Every State we have been in has given us maps except California. California charges $3.95. They will give you a cheep inferior map but they always direct you to nice road map. We tried several welcome center but they all do the same thing. We keep running into other people traveling that we have previously met. They recognize us as we are cycling and they pull over to say hi. We feel like celebrities. It is really enjoyable to meet so many nice people.

Day 261 - Tue 10-01-02 - mileage today 80 – MILEAGE TO DATE = 11,096.25
From Klamath to Eureka

We rode thru the giant redwoods today. They are huge. Some are as old as 3,300 years and over 400 feet tall. The twenty miles riding into Eureka went fast they were flat and with a tailwind. We stopped to have diner and it was almost dark when we finished. We went looking for an campground but there wasn’t any to be found. Now it is dark and we still cant find a suitable place where we wont get kicked out. Myron suggested riding back into town and getting a motel. It was my first motel since Virginia. We quickly settled in for a good night sleep.

Day 262 - wed 10-2-02 - mileage today 58.4 – MILEAGE TO DATE = 11,154.65
From Eureka to 10 miles north of Garberville in the woods

SNAP-CRACKLE-POP

Goes Myron’s wheel. Myron has been getting flat tires lastly yet he could not find why. Today we found out why. While fixing a flat we noticed the wheel liner was bunched up. When Myron pulled back the liner he fell over with shock. He has a 4" long crack in the wheel, wide enough to put a nickel in. THIS IS NOT GOOD He will ride slowly and try to limp into San Francisco. I think he should have a new wheel built up in Fort Bragg. But, he thinks he can make it. We will see. Fall is in the air. It is chilly all-day and cold at night. The trees have begun to change into their fall colors. It is really pretty. Last night we pulled off the road and went down a hill to a flat spot in the woods. We found a spot that seemed to be well taken care of. It was groomed and walking paths were lined with rocks. But, there wasn’t any house.  It was private property. We thought maybe it was a hunter’s camp or church camp, we didn’t know for sure. I don’t like the idea of camping on private property without permission but there weren’t any homes near by to ask for permission. We felt safe in that nobody would find or harass us, WRONG.  At about 11:00 pm someone found us. They drove right up to the tents and then parked a few yards away for a few moments then they left, Thankfully. I can’t imagine that nothing good can be going on at 11:00 at night in the forest. I was a little concerned for our safety. I lay there for a few minutes and finally got tired of being concerned. I had to confront our visitors or I would not be able to sleep. I got up to investigate and meet our visitors but they had driven away. Now I can sleep.