Day 8

Check out the video links to the right. We are heading to Prairie Creek Redwood State Park tonight. The trees are getting bigger and we will have a ton of photos to upload soon!

"Mmm, that's a nice butt!" says a voice behind us as we load our bikes with oatmeal, bananas, cliff bars, some dinner items and other nutrient rich snacks we purchased from the Price-n-Pride Grocery.
We turned to find a woman dressed in a full red sweat suit, three protruding teeth and long multi-colored hair. Her eyes were locked on Dusty's rear, lured to the sight she explained, "Nice butt like that is a sure sign of a strong back!"
Dusty, misunderstanding the raspy voice, lifts up the back of his jersey and questions, "Fanny pack? No, no I am not wearing a fanny pack."
The sight of Dusty's exposed back sent the woman's arms flying up and she wheeled around heading straight inside the store's electronic doorway. As Dusty and I looked at each other trying to grasp what had just happened the woman reappeared to clarify, "And I am even a queer, that is saying a lot!"

We laughed so hard we could barely steer our bikes down the road.

Brookings, OR, to Prairie Creek Redwood State Park, CA: 66 Miles

Day 7

86 Miles
Bandon, OR, to Brookings, OR
5 Miles to the Border
Good-Bye Oregon; Hello California!

Day 5
Yachats,OR - Sunset Bay Sate Park, OR: 83.1
Victims of the Map
Sipping on our first hot cup of coffee/tea this trip, Dusty and I warm our bones in Brewed Awakenings in Brandon, OR. We would be lying to you if we said it has been warm and sunny. Matter of fact we each have a pair of board shorts that have found their way to the bottom of our bags and it appears they might remain there for some time. The temperature has been cold and damp but the biking has provided terrific views and a variety of terrain. We FINALLY uploaded some pictures on our day off here in Brandon. Maintenance on the bikes, TLC for the bodies and drying out our rain soaked gear include some of our other chores.
As we order our second meal of the day from ol' Eldra here in the coffee shop we see the California border on our maps. Miss-marked mileage, wrong names, closed businesses, construction, the term "unmarked road" are all traps the maps have lured us into. It is a treat to travel with a guy like Dusty because when you receive news at the end of a day's ride like, "That camp site is closed, the next place to pop a tent is 19 miles back North of here," he really takes the news well. When your on a bike, U-turns, back tracking and unplanned mileage can be demoralizing. As you pass the beautiful overlook of squawking seals for the second time, you find yourself cursing the creatures instead of stopping to take pictures.
Check out the pics, we are healthy and happy...miss everyone!

Fun Facts:
Gas Price: $2.99
Morning Climate: Cloudy and mid-40s
Daily High's: 60's
Total Saddle Time: 34 Hours, 2 Minutes, 51 Seconds
Oregon Rocks: OR State Parks allow hiker/bikers for 5 bucks!
Avg. Speed: no more...it stinks seeing a good days average go down the tank when you roll into town searching for groceries, libraries, post offices, etc.
Most Popular OR Beach Attire: jeans & sweatshirt!
Number of Showers since June 22nd: 3
Number of Laundry Mats: 1

"Can I get it?" she asked as we sat down at Samantha's Cabin a family style restaurant in Astoria Oregon. Jimmy and I both looked at each other confused. Then we see it... A HUGE juicy house fly perched on the window. Jimmy and I shrug and let her at it. She then orders me over in the booth so she can reach her prey. With a napkin she slams her hand against the glass. In a prideful voice she exclaims "Got em!" After throwing the napkin'd fly in the trash she comes back and asked us what we wanted to drink and we proceeded to order... Onion rings, Salad, Beef ravioli, and the most delicious Texas toast.

Day 4
Cape Look Out - Yachats: 84.5 miles
Max 39.0
Avg 13.1

Yesterday while we were biking, because once again that's all we do, we looked to our right and who do we see but our friends Jessie and Tashia standing beside the road with there car! It was so nice to see them after 4 whole years! They took us to a cheese factory but Jimmy and I both decided that we could not eat cheese products and then keep riding so we headed off to our camping area to unpack and get ourselves together. They found a delicious BBQ joint not far from the camp ground and picked us up. It was a very nice evening with them catching up and eating. Thanks again guys for driving out to see us and for the delicious strawberries!
-Dusty 'Bottoms'

Day 3
Astoria,OR - Cape Look Out, OR
Miles: 76.9
Avg: 13.3
Max: 38.5

Lunch in Manzanita

DILEMMAS

Certain things come up daily on a bike ride. Where to sleep, where to eat, where to pee, where to find water, who to ask for directions, can I take off this jacket without stopping and wasting valuable time, can I reach my jacket and put it on without stopping, do I drink this last sip of water now not knowing how far to the next fill up?

So there we sat in a small spot of grass in the town center of Raymond, WA. I was finishing a 2-day old bagel piled high with generic brand peanut butter and Dusty finished his tray of on-sale, expired strawberries. He therefore inherited the job of trying the water from the lone standing public restroom. I can spare the details about the swarming flies, graffiti covered walls and overflowing trash cans because we all have been forced to use such a restroom in a town whose sole existence conspired for the reason that a highway passes through it. Dusty emerged from the restroom, lid in one hand and full water bottle in the other. He raised it to his nose as I watched in anticipation. His nose wrinkled but he drank anyhow.
See, there really is no other choice. We drank from restroom sinks, front yard sprinkler’s and faucets on the side of any building you can think of. We even have common words to describe the kind of water to each other.

What it really boils down to, if we want to make it to our destination, just drink the warm smelly crap and get over it!

Day 2:
Elma, WA – Astoria, OR: 90.3 miles
Avg: 13.1
Max: 38.5

One hand steadying the bike, my other holding the map in the wind, both eyes studying the next set of directions. Sweat ran down the inside of my sunglasses as my front tire grazed Dusty's left pannier. My fingers never reched for the brake, Dusty never stopped peddling... We were back in the saddle!

Seattle-Elma 80 miles
Avg: 12.2
Max: 36

Biggest shock: STEEP hills on the coast
Best view: Hood Canal with massive snow peaks in the background

School is Out!

School is out, wedding season is over and the Duster and I are booked for a flight June 22nd.

He and I will do our best to post pictures and stories during our 'dash to the border!' No promises though....those of you who know Dusty and me, well lets just say we live in the moment.

I cannot thank the people I love enough for the help and support that make opportunities like this possible. I might have the MOST supportive wife on the planet! Love her to death and already missing her just thinking about it.

Our bikes are in route to an REI where we will arrive on June 22 and begin the 1,800 mile ride.

Please follow along, make comments and enjoy the ride!

Jimmy "Skinny Guy on a Bike" Kelly