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Day 8 - Border War on HD - Portland - McMinnville OR
Another 50 miler under our belts ...
Another great meal at Nadeen and Tannis' row house. We SAGged across town to Burlingame where we began to ride on Hwy. 99. After just a few miles, it became obvious that we were going to get into some rain.
At about 8 miles, we donned raingear and continued to ride in the light rain. First time to use my new neon yellow-green rain covers for my handlebar bag and rear trunk rack, plus second time ever to wear my bright yellow-green neon rain jacket (Mother, remember when I bought it in Colorado Springs?)
Rode through Newberg "A Great Place to Grow." Highway 99 is lined with wineries and orchards. Beautiful farm country, so green despite the drought.
On to Dundee, where Hwy 99 is called "The Great Divide Hwy," named for dividing the livability of Dundee. Great lunch was laid out in front of an old school, and out of the wind, which was getting fairly strong.
Nadeen, Shirley and Tannis had to get back to Portland, so we contacted our next SAGger, JoLynn Faulhaber. Fond farewells again. Nadeen et al took our gear to JoLynn's farm.
Passed through Lafayette, the 3rd oldest city in OR.
JoLynn met us on Hwy 99 East of McMinnville. Then we began to see the hand of God in our lives. Our magnetic door signs each blew off when we needed JoLynn, and she had to come back to find them!
I got the idea of riding the last 12 miles with the wind, instead of battling into the wind, so we turned around and rode East 12 miles, back towards McMinnville and Dundee. We got our 50 miles in, the equivalent of riding to Sheridan, but an easier ride.
We loaded the bikes into the back of JoLynn's Dually Chevy truck. All 3 of us rode in the back, to hold up the bikes. After about 1/2 hr drive, we arrived at JoLynn and Philip's 21-acre hobby farm. They have 2 precious children, Kelly (4 1/2) and Tessa (2). The girls were curious about these 3 ladies who disrupted their routines, and caused different sleeping arrangements.
Nice dinner and visit. JoLynn's mom has HD; she and one sister have tested negative (Praise God!) and one sister D'Anna is still at risk.
Miles today - 50
Cumulative total - 441.37
Road Change report - 95 cents
Oh, one request. I haven't been able to shake the cold I've had for almost 3
weeks. Please pray for healing!
With love from the road,
Marie
Amanda
Charlotte
Day 9 - Border War on HD - Sheridan - Newport OR
"Two is better than one ..."
We were so pleased that JoLynn's sister D'Anna decided to come from Portland on her day off to SAG with us!
We drove to 12 miles West of the mile marker where we started riding with the wind yesterday.
First interesting place along the way was Grande Ronde, with its Spirit Mountain Casino. Originally, in 1856, an Indian Reservation was established. However, in 1954 the Grande Ronde tribe was "terminated," which meant the U.S. Government no longer recognized the tribe or its people as Indians, and all but 7 1/2 acres of its land was sold. However, in 1983, under pressure, the tribe was restored to federal recognition. In 1988, 9811 acres were established, and an aggressive economic development program was started.
We made it over Murphy Hill (elev. 760), the summit along this hwy. over the Coastal Range.
The Van Duzer Forest Corridor was beautiful. As we coasted west, we crossed the 45th parallel, which is halfway between the equator and the North Pole.
The first town on the coast, of any size, was Lincoln City. We had a great lunch right near the mouth of the "D" River, which is the world's shortest river.
We took a section of the old 101 Hwy, called the Loop. It reminded me of Hawaii, especially when the road almost disappeared into a tunnel of trees with exposed roots.
Cape Foulweather, a promontory right on the coast, was discovered and named during a storm on March 7, 1778. Captain James Cook was returning from having discovered the Sandwich Islands (Hawaiian Islands), and this was the first sight of New Albion (the English name for the Pacific NW Coast of America).
Arrived safely in Newport, where D'Anna and JoLynn had already made contact with the pastor at All Nations Lutheran Church. Pastor Renstrom provided us with bedding so we could sleep in the church.
We had a great seafood dinner at Mo's before we had to bid fond farewells to JoLynn and D'Anna. We'll see her again (God willing) at the HDSA Convention.
This was the last day of planned SAG, so from now until Marin County (North of San Francisco) we're on our own! Anyone want to come and SAG with us (carry our supplies and gear) on the beautiful Oregon coast? E-mail me at Bike4Cure@bigfoot.com !!! I'm not kidding. We sure could use help!
Today's mileage - 62.47
Cumulative total - 492.14
Road change report - 13 cents
with love,
The Road Warriors
Amanda
Marie
Charlotte
Day 10 - Border War on HD - Newport-Florence OR
First day of riding w/o SAG (miss you Erin, Annette and Shane, Nadeen, and JoLynn and D'Anna)
Some "firsts" today: Amanda with a fully-loaded bike, Charlotte pulling her BOB trailer, first time since 1999, me with fully loaded bike, first time since near Clinton LA.
First stop - Ona Beach. Amanda visited with an older couple, gave them a ride brochure, and later they pulled up next to her, asked her to reach out her hand, and the woman pressed a $10 into her palm! First "random" donation!
In Waldport, we stopped in R's Bike Shop. My bike needed a minor derailleur adjustment on the limiting screws; a "colorful" fellow with a braid taught me how to do the adjustment myself.
Yachats - pronounced YAH-hots - "the gem of the Oregon Coast" was 8 miles later. They displayed banners all through town which said "La De Dah Yachats."
Passed another Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) sign, commemorating the Cape Creek Camp. which was established in 1933. Young men were paid $30/month, usually kept $5 and sent the rest home to their families.
It was extremely windy at Cape Perpetua, but with a breathtaking ocean view. Quite a decent thereafter!
Heceta (Heh-SEE-ta) Head lighthouse was visible from the highway. Soon we rode through a tunnel (one of two in Oregon) on the 101. Soon after that, we began to hear the barking of sea lions. Some were sunning themselves on the rocks; others were playfully cavorting in the surf!
Finally made it to Florence. We were met by Julie Rollin and her Bronco with bike rack. Julie is the sister of Amanda's pottery professor from Colorado Springs. She and her husband John live about 20 miles inland from Florence, on a real hillside garden spot with almost 2 acres. John loves gardening, and it shows!
When we arrived, Amanda pointed out a llama in their back yard, grazing with a POA (Ponies of America). This POA is a cross of an Appaloosa horse and a Shetland pony, about 12 hands, dappled grey with a white blanket with white spots. Beautiful!
We got to meet one of Julie and John's daughters, and also their son John and his fiancée Rachel, and their grandson Johnny. Julie had a 4-generation photo of each "John Rollin" at one year!
Total miles - 49.69
Cumulative total - 541.83 miles
Road change report - 4 cents
with love from the Oregon coast,
Marie
Amanda
Charlotte
Day 11 - Border War on HD - Florence - Bandon OR
Hi Everybody,
Wow what a beautiful day! This morning we got up and on the road by 7:10 am, a record for us. We had a great night last night with John and Julie Rollin just outside of Florence and Mapleton, OR. Julie is a sister of Amanda's pottery teacher in Colorado Springs. John volunteered to SAG our gear for us to St. Monica's Catholic Church in Coos Bay, where we will pick it up later in the afternoon, GREAT NEWS!!!
We had great riding this morning, really flying down Hwy 101 through the Jesse Honeyman State Park and Gardiner, an historic town on the Umpqua River.
We'd gone almost 20 miles by 9:30 a.m., into Reedsport, entrance to the Oregon Dunes Nat'l Recreation Area.
Unfortunately this great pace didn't continue.
As we were getting ready to go up the big hill in Winchester Bay (just on the outskirts of Reedsport) Amanda's rear gear cable broke. But the angel network was working overtime.
An angel named Teresa who just happened to be there chauffeured Marie and Mandy to the bicycle repairman's house to see if he could repair the bike. It was very serendipitous for us that he wasn't home. Meantime back at the bikes, another angel named Janet (a neighbor of Teresa's) was out for a bike
ride, stopped and spoke to us bicyclists in distress, and volunteered that she and her husband Dennis would be back to pick up all of us and our bikes and take us to the bike shop in Coos Bay to have new cable put on Amanda's bike.
When Janet and Dennis arrived to pick up us and our gear we all got a severe case of truck envy. This truck was huge, holding 110 gallons of gas. Sitting in the back seat was like sitting in the back seat of a full size car. They had straps specifically used for carrying bikes in the back. It was an awesome truck!
A couple of years ago, Janet did a bike from Jacksonville FL to Santa Monica CA to raise money for breast cancer.
Tom at Moe's Bike Shop in North Bend (just outside Coos Bay) put on new cables all the way around on Amanda's bike just to be on the safe side. After picking up our gear at St. Monica's Catholic Church and saying good-bye to Janet and Dennis, we were back on the bikes and pedaling towards Bandon, by 2:45 p.m.
We rode over 3 really gruesome hills between Coos Bay and Bandon that just about wiped us out! We were packing all of our own gear for this leg of the trip, so it was doubly hard!
Once in Bandon we found a room at The Sea Star Hostel. The hostel cost $15.00 each and we were able to have a room with 8 bunks and a bathroom all to ourselves. Bruce, Mairi, and Gavin, the young Scottish fellow that we met the other day were also staying at the hostel.
Dinner was great salad and cardboard-like pizza at Jack's Pizza (don't go there).
Still on schedule because of the Lord's provision for us, through His people.
Today's mileage - 50 by bike, 25 by SAG Cumulative mileage total - 592.5
Road Change report - 12 cents
Hoping for a good riding day tomorrow, and thanking the Lord for getting us through today.
Amanda
Charlotte
Marie
on the road again.... in Bandon OR
Day 12 - Border War on HD
"The Day That The Rains Came Down ..."
After a pretty good night's sleep in the Sea Star Hostel (thought of you, Jean M.), we launched out, headed for Bandon. But ... the Lord had another plan in mind.
The chain on Charlotte's bike slipped off, and when she started riding, it somehow got bound up, and a couple of the links kinked. I had stopped to put on my rain jacket, and along comes Charlotte, walking her bike. Bad sign; Charlotte NEVER walks her bike.
We assessed the situation, but didn't have the proper tools to fix it. A gentleman came out of the market, chatted with us, but left, saying he had a pre-school graduation to attend (for his daughters). Well, about 20 min. later, he re-appeared, with a toolbox. His wife sent him back to help (think God had a role in it, too!) Found out Bob is a retired Air Force mechanic, and he and his wife have four little adopted daughters, two Chinese and 2 Cambodian (Rose, Mary, Elizabeth, and Alexis). He straightened out the bent links, and re-threaded the chain. God sent exactly who we needed.
Got started again ... mist had turned into rain, butr on we slogged. Rode ten miles in the rain, buffeted and blown by vehicles (including wide load mobile homes). Finally arrived in Langlois where we decided to seek an alternative way to Gold Beach. Such a serendipitous market, run by a Hawaiian man. He even sells Aloha shirts, here in the boonies of the Oregon Coast (map said population here is 50). Decided to wait for the county bus transportation, which could take us and our bikes to Gold Beach, for $2! We had some clam chowder, wrote E-mails/postcards and tried to dry our wet socks and shoes. Time passed quickly, and soon it was time to get ready for the bus. Arlene, the Alaskan Native American lady who originally told us about the bus, re-appeared and called the bus driver to tell him to be sure to stop for us!
20 or so passengervan-bus arrived, complete with a wheel-chair lift, which was used to raise our bikes and gear into the bus! We 3 and a teen boy were the only passengers. We felt like we were being chauffeured in a limo! The teen got off in Port Orford, which is the westernmost point in the contiguous 48 states, and the oldest town on the Oregon Coast.
The coast was awesome, with rock formations jutting up out of the water.
Passed the Prehistoric Gardens, with life-sized dinosaurs in the Oregon rainforest.
Our tour guide/driver pointed out a beautiful wood home owned by Larry Hagman (J.R. from "Dallas.")
For about 8 miles, the bus left Hwy 101 and drove on a parallel road. In Nesika Bay, a black lab-type dog was lying in the middle of the road. The driver commented that the dog thinks it owns the highway, and it doesn't move for vehicles!
Passed through Wedderburn and over the Rogue River on a wonderful cement bridge, art deco style, with sentinel-like portals at each entrance.
Arriving in Gold Beach, bus driver said he'd drop us off anywhere in town! We picked a supermarket parking lot just a block from Bethany Lutheran Church. Pastor Tim met us, and gave us full use of the church. We have our gear spread out everywhere, drying out from the rain. He and his wife made us feel very much "at home," before they took off for the evening for Chinese food and a movie in Crescent City CA!
Another adventure-filled day, full of the Lord's provision and protection!
Safe and warm in Gold Beach OR,
Amanda
Charlotte
Marie
Today's mileage - 14.5 on bike, 40 mile SAG on bus
Cumulative total miles riding - 607
Road Change report - 1 cent
Cumulative
Day 13 - Border War on HD - Gold Beach OR - Crescent City CA
"California, here we come..."
Trying to avoid the drenching we got yesterday, Amanda and I donned our version of "Famous Footwear" - plastic bags over our riding shoes, held on by electrical tape! Charlotte had much nicer rain shoes, rain pants, etc.
After stopping to check for E-mail, we got on the road about 7:45 a.m., knowing that within a few miles we would face the challenge of Hunter Hill. The climb was about 2 1/2 miles, challenging, with 40 lbs of gear each! But ... by the grace of God, we made it in the drizzling rain.
The rapid descent ended at the Pistol River State Park, with imposing "sea stacks" (monolithic sentinels guarding the coast, on duty just offshore.) The waves were the largest we've seen so far. Soon we entered the boundaries of the Samuel Boardman State Park; much of the same awesome coast, with continuing sea stacks. This section of the Oregon coast has definitely been my favorite.
Crossed the Thomas Creek Bridge, the highest bridge in Oregon (345' tall).
Finally we came down the final descent from the hills, and stopped at the Visitors Center just N of Brookings. Very pleasant, being able to shed the "Famous Footwear" and wind pants.
Brookings (or Brookins-Harbor) is a lovely clean coastal town. It's only about 8 miles from the California Border. It's considered to be in the "banana belt" of Oregon, with milder temperatures.
Crossed from Curry County OR into Del Norte County CA, along a relatively flat section of Hwy 101. Del Norte is billed as "The Redwood Gate to the Golden State."
We saw a herd of 200-300 Holstein cows grazing on a sloping pasture. When I stopped to take a photo, they all came down the hill, crowding to the fence, anxious to have their picture taken. It was hysterical! Wish I had it on vide
Smith River (named after Jedediah Smith, the American frontiersman who made the first recorded overland trip to CA. His ambition was to serve God, to provide for his family, and become a great explorer. He accomplished all three!
Smith River is the Easter Lily Capital of the world.
The scenery changes pretty quickly, from Oregon to CA, from open fields to redwood forests.
Stopped at the KOA campground just N of Crescent City, where Charlotte and Evelyn had stayed towards the end of their "Infinity Ride" in 1999. Prior owners, Eric and Patty Lund, had sold the campground by now. Met Lauren Green, whose father is the Pastor of Pelican Bay Ev. Free Church.
Found out the Lunds also attend the Pelican Bay Church.
Arrival in Crescent City was a small chapter out of the "Twilight Zone." We were unable to reach any of our Crescent City contacts, but the Carter Family stopped at the Union 76 gas station, and although they didn't have room for us, they called around trying to find us a place.
We were on the verge of renting a motel room when Amanda was finally able to reach Kurt VanDyke, another sibling of her pottery professor in Colorado Springs. Kurt came to SAG is to their lovely home, which is just around the corner from the Pelican Bay Church!
Kurt and his wife Christina had just completed a yard sale, and there were lots of people at their home. Kurt's wife is from the Azores in Portugal, and they have two children, Kyle (9) and Marissa (6).
Despite the rain, this has been my favorite day so far. God provides for us in very creative ways. So many "coincidences" are proof He is working is our lives.
Tomorrow is a well-deserved "Rest Day."
Today's mileage - 55.83
Cumulative mileage - 662.83
Road Change report - 11 cents
With one-third of the Border War on HD completed, we stand in awe of what the Lord has done for us, and eagerly anticipate what He will continue to do, because He is faithful!
Love from Crescent City, with thanks in our hearts
Amanda
Marie
Charlotte
Day 14 - Border War on HD - Rest Day in Crescent City CA
Got to sleep in this morning; that's a real treat!
Kurt fixed chocolate chip pancakes (yum - another "food first") and fried eggs for breakfast. Then we walked around the corner to the Pelican Bay Evangelical Free Church. The church is located in a park-like setting, amidst a grove of trees. We were greeted warmly by congregation members. The worship service was contemporary, with keyboard, drums, guitars, and overheads. Good sermon from the book of Daniel in the Old Testament. Glad we could attend church, on Pentecost (50 days after Easter). A man from Gideon Bibles spoke, too. We were surprised at the casual dress. Many men, including the pastor, wore Hawaiian aloha-type shirts.
We walked back around the corner to the VanDyk's home. We gathered our stuff, and awaited a phone call from Pastor Green. In the meantime we visited with Christina, since Kurt and Kyle were gone to a Little League baseball game.
The call came at 1:45 pm. Pastor Green gave us excellent directions to his home, and we bicycled over.
Liz, the Pastor's wife, had prepared a chicken cordon bleu casserole, for lunch. Also had raw baby carrots and strawberries/whipped cream.
Amanda and I went through our stuff and found another 10-15 lbs worth of gear we could off-load to make riding just a little easier. We will get it mailed tomorrow.
Got to do our wash; everything needed washing after the days in the rain.
Made SAG arrangements with the Jeanne and Curtis Carter, the couple we met when we first arrived in town on Saturday. Hwy 101 from Crescent City to Klamath is treacherous for bicyclists, with little to no shoulder, and steep grades.
This was truly a well-spent rest day, regrouping for Week 3 of Border War on HD.
Today's mileage - 2.71
Cumulative mileage - 665.54
Road Change Report - 2 cents
From Del Norte County, ready to pedal some more of Border War on HD,
Amanda
Marie
Charlotte
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