Wednesday, May 10, 2006 (Salem, Oregon to Champoeg State Park, 30.55 miles)
I woke up at 6:30 thinking it was 9:30 due to my jet lag. I am at Champoeg at the beginning of another trip. The sun is shining and the mosquitoes are about looking for lunch on my legs. I finished a sandwich Mom made for me. It was good. Today was hard and I am sore. I fear for tomorrow when I must ride twice the distance or more as I did today. LORD please take away my dizziness and ease my sores and provide the strength I pray! I took a shower and am refreshed. I forgot to pack my aqua socks though. I pray that I will arrive to see Seth on time and in good health and condition. This is a nice park. My computer works fine and my bike is in seemingly good condition. It squeaks though when it wobbles. For some reason I don't feel as safe or secure as I did during my last trip. I do have better weather now and had a better start. Maybe it's because I've only been planning this trip for less than a year. Maybe it's because I've been more dizzy lately or I've forgotten something - who knows. I think I'll read my book, plan for tomorrow and go to sleep. Perhaps I'll stretch and do some pushups. I think it's time for a picture.
Thursday, May 11, 2006 (Champoeg to Hudson-Parcher Park, 90 miles)
Wow, what a day. I woke up at 2:00am to some screaming (sounds like kids or a war party of Indiana banshees) - crazy. I finally got up at 5:45am and started riding at 6. I had a lot of ground to cover today. I rode into Newberg only to pass right through. Straight out of Newberg were about 10 miles worth of hills, then some downhills where I coasted at 30mph. They don't call it Hillsboro for nothing. I arrived in Hillsboro (30 miles from Champoeg) and met a guy at McDonalds. He used to be a biker himself. He asked me where I was going, and before he left he advised me to beware of Cornelius Pass, take Newberry Rd. instead to get to Hwy 30. Arriving in North Plains, I called home. Dad told me of a county park outside of Rainer. I saw two signs coming out of North Plains saying "To Scappoose Hwy 30 Use Cornelius Pass." I finally came to NW Cornelius Pass Road. It ran perpendicular to my road. There were many large house/warehouses, etc. I asked in a bike shop the way to Hwy 30. They said head north on Cornelius Pass. I went North, but it seemed like the wrong way. I finally came to "Entering Multnomah County." I knew then that this was the right way. There was no gravel road like the map indicated. Cornelius Pass was the busiest, most dangerous road I've ever been on. I-5 would probably be safer. I had to walk at times just to avoid becoming roadkill. While walking uphill, two viscous dogs across the road saw me, looking at cars in order to cross. The road was just too busy. I panicked and quickly hopped on my bike and pedaled to avoid becoming dog meat. This was a scary road. I was quite relieved when I came to Hwy 30 at last. I had a huge bike lane to myself!!
I came to Scappoose. I saw an Ixtapa there. I stopped at a Taco Bell and realized how sunburned I was. My ears were burnt to a crisp. I had no hair this time to cover them! My arms and face as well and the small of my back where my shirt popped up. On my way I saw six deer bounding on a hillside and a dead fish on the side of the road. I went through Warren, cam to St. Helens, went by Columbia City and by the time I arrived in Deer Island, I did not have much daylight left. My butt was mega sore and my right knee was really hurting. Thirteen miles to Rainer. Six miles later I came to Goble and then passed by Prescott. By this time, it was dark and I could not see a thing. I turned my lights and flashers on. I walked most of the way to Rainer. The city lights were cool and the bridge. I asked where the park was (up a huge hill outside of town on Larson Road). I walked up the hill, about an hour, saw an opossum or something and came to the park at 10:30pm. I set up camp and went to bed at 11:30pm. I rode about 90 miles today!
Friday, May 12, 2006 (Hudson-Parcher to Seaquest State Park, 24 miles)
I took it easy this morning. I decided to slowly pack up my gear and head out. I had hot chocolate and oatmeal (really thick) with a guy named Burt. He was the only other camper I saw there. We talked a little bit before I departed. Burt needs prayer. He said he was living with a girl before she started on METH. Her brother and nephew jumped Burt and beat the crap out of him. He went to the hospital, got stitches, tore some tendons. Wasn't sure why. He never touched the girl. Her mother thought he was the best guy she's been with. I told Burt I majored in General Ministries at Simpson. He said, "Well that's good - something for people to believe in. Lots and lots of people out there - lots of soulless people. I suppose I'm lost, not soulless though."
After that I soon left Burt. I went down the hill into Rainer (coasted at 35mph). I crossed the Columbia River - cool bridge. Went into Longview and Kelso. Had a hard time finding Hwy 411 - a kind of confusing area. Went North on 411 - Huge rolling hills for 10 miles. Made it to Castle Rock, couldn't find the road to Vader so I turned on 504 to Seaquest State Park. Lots of hills. I was hurting - very sore. Rained a little on me. I made it to Seaquest (beautiful park) and Mount S. Helens visitor center - great views of the volcano and surrounding area. I set up camp before a park ranger informed me I was in a utility site. I moved to a cheaper site. I put some pants on - feels good to wear pants! Saw some cool looking goats today!
Saturday, May 13, 2006 (Sequest State Park)
I woke up feeling terrible. A bad headache and cramps/kinks everywhere. Hard to sleep - very uncomfortable. Well I got up and spent the day at the park and the Mount St. Helens visitor center across the highway. I feel a little dizzy today. I pray to God that it passes. He is my strength when I feel weak. My calves are hard as rock. My muscles need to rest. There is no shower here at the park - poopy. I snapped some pics of Mount Saint Helens and hiked around Silver Lake while eating a hot dog from the snack shop or thingy. I took a look around in the visitor center. I am fascinated with Lewis and Clark and wonder what they thought when they traveled through this area. That must've been an awesome awe-inspiring expedition. Perhaps one day I will follow their trail.
On the road I sing praise songs/camp songs to keep me going and to encourage me. I often wonder what drives me and makes me do what I do.
A guy asked me where I came from and a now going. He then offered me a margarita.
Some people at the park are playing bocce ball!
Sunday, May 14, 2006 (Seqquest to Millersylvania State Park, 60 miles)
Mother's Day! I sure could've used a pillow last night. I left Seaquest on 504 and turned onto 505. I heard a gun shot. Someone along the road scared a bear off for me. There was a bear on the road just ahead of me around the corner. He tried to take a picture but failed. I got to see some great views of Mt. Saint Helens and Mt. Rainer! A small dog chased me today. It didn't last long, but he sure ran like there was no tomorrow!! I passed Lewis and Clark State Park and called home at 12:00 in Mary's Corner - busy. I called again in Chehalis - busy. I finally got through in Centrailia. I got lost in Centrailia - not sure how to get out. With some help from Dad I finally made it out and on my way. The wind is what'll kill you. It has been against me all the way North! I had some trouble finding Millersylvania but finally got there. They had showers but they were ice cold. One phone didn't work, called on a cell phone of the park host, another pay phone didn't work. I contemplated going home after Seattle. The sun is a killer. My knee hurts bad and my saddle sores are worsening. My left calf is really tight.
I find it funny that all the cows, horses, goats, llamas, etc...look up from eating grass and just stare at me. Who can blame them eh? I'm a sight to see. Stupid big animals!
Happy Mother's Day Mom!!
Monday, May 15, 2006 (Millersylvania to Belfair State Park, 61 miles)
What I am doing is just brutal! Brutal I say!
**Well this is where I stopped keeping my journal. From Millersylvania, I rode 61 miles through country and city to Belfair State Park. Seattle was within my grasp.**
Tuesday, May 16, 2006 (Belfair to Seattle, Washington, 37 miles)
**From Belfair, I rode to the Bremerton-Seattle ferry where my brother met me on the Seattle side with his bike. After a brief reunion I followed his lead through the city to his small house he shared with his girlfriend Erin.**
Wednesday, May 17, 2006 (Seattle, Washington)
**Today was a day of rest as I decided what to do next. Was I to go ahead with my original plan which was to return by bicycling down the coast home or take the train back because of my injured knee? In the end, after my brother and Erin helped convince me, I decided to take the train back. It wasn't what I wanted to do, but thought it was the wisest choice given my current injuries. I had just started out too hard, too fast. So today, my brother took me to Green Lake and some other sites around Seattle before I left the next day. It was a good day!**
Thursday, May 18, 2006 (Seattle to Salem via AMTRAK)
**My brother helped with the logistics of getting my bike aboard the Amtrack train. Luckily I was able to just roll my bike on board rather than box it up! Thank goodness. I said my goodbyes and left for Salem. My short adventure was over. When I arrived home at the train station, I was a little turned around, but eventually made my bike ride back home a success.**
*Note: The following pictures were taken with a disposable camera. Please excuse the quality.
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