Oregon into California

Since we are not ever really in a hurry, we always always opt for the less busy roads. This often means more hills, less towns (so we need to carry more water and food), less cars and longer routes. Some people ride from point A to B with their miles per day preplanned because that is either just how they are or that is all the time allotted, therefore not giving them a choice. Riding as we have, I would definitely recommend going each day with how you feel. This leads to many experiences that may not have occurred otherwise when there are "have-to's" involved. Head down and pedaling to knock out miles to your destination rather than taking the time to explore or chat with the locals, I think you miss out.

Through the heart of Oregon south to California

Extending our stay in Portland to have more time with dad and Gina, we got a ride up to Mt. Hood, saving us two days of uphills riding. The route we took south was simply stunning, that is the best word I can come up with when trying to describe the next two weeks of our ride. The trees surrounding us were mostly pine with an occasional clump of fall turning Aspens thrown in. Neither of us could get over the beauty of the fall colors. Probably because of the time of year, we were often the only ones on these curvy roads, the only sound coming from the spin of our tires on the pavement, and an occasional gust of wind. It was so calming and is now near the top of our list for best rides since we started riding a year and a half ago. Cruising through little towns, we would stop for a bite whenever we could and loaded up on meals to fix on our campstove because of the great distances between places. Topping off our water is always something we do with each faucet we see.

Eastern Washington to Portland, OR

Taking the 20 east to west across Washington, we followed a beautiful road with a more than decent bike lane, courteous cars and a lot of up and down riding. 5 passes in 5 days, climbing anywhere from 2500 feet to just over 4000 feet. People are often most amazed that we make these long climbs, but to be honest, getting it all over with and ending with a cruisey, long decent, passes are preferable compared to the rolling hills of long climbs and little decent.

Washington - Pictures

Wild camping

Little house on the prairie

The Methow Valley

Climbing up Washington Pass

North Cascades National Park

Lisa finds another blackberry patch

We love bakeries...  a great one on Whidbey Island

Seattle icons

Traffic and exhaust...  gotta take the bad with good

Wow...

Loved riding in Washington

Montana - Pictures

Whats important in Montana

Best Bakery in the middle of Nowhere

Rest day activities

Fishing the north fork of the Flathead river

Nice little rainbow

??  "Stop Meth"  or  "Meth Stop" ??

Fat tire riding across the whitefish range

Mountain pass raspberry break

Where does this "road" go again?

Living the high life

Already in Eastern Washington

We are heading off to a really late start, especially considering we have a 4000ft climb up Sherman Pass ahead of us with temperatures reaching almost 100 today. Yikes! I promise we will post pictures soon, I know, we are not very good at updating our blog on a consistent basis. A short blurb is that we have had an amazing ride thus far and there is definitely something to say about small town America. We have run into some of the most genuinely nice people and feel so fortunate to have had these experiences. A few days ago, after riding through the rough Forest Service roads (thank goodness for fat tires.....that are also the orginals if you can believe it, 15,000+ miles and they are still running strong) and sleeping in the woods, we were a bit beyond dirty and definitely ready for a shower. It was our first day in Idaho and a truck pulled off onto a road and stepped into our view to flag us down. He briefly asked where we were headed before offering us a hot shower and roof over our heads. Thank you nice man! Bob and Diane welcomed us into their home with our own little apartment over their garage, a few beers, a hot shower which was beyond spectacular, dinner out (which was definitely a treat as we rarely do that), fantastic conversation and just a chance for some basic interaction. We had such an amazing time and were once again reminded to pay these kind gestures forward whenever we have the chance.

Our next night was spent in beautiful Sandpoint visiting some of Gina's (my stepmom) cousins. They have two adorable children and gorgeous home that overlooks the spectacular town of Sandpoint. They fixed us a salmon dinner with a few beers and we laughed quite a bit. Again, such a treat to be able to spend time with these people. We are two lucky, go by the seat of their pants people.

Beautiful Montana

Initially heading west out of Bozeman, we soon turned north to follow the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains up to Glacier. We were often the highest point around, riding with blue skies and temperatures in the low 90's. We were hot, sticky and sunburnt! The heat was so intense at one point that we took shade beside an electrical box that gave off a small rectangle of shade. Reaching Glacier National Park, we climbed the long anticipated Going-to-the-Sun road over the continental divide. The views were beyond specacular and the 26 mile downhill wasn't bad either. Spotting a few bears (one of which swam across the Missouri River in hopes of tasting our hamburger dinner) and moose along the way, we were always on the lookout for wildlife. We have had an amazing ride thus far up to Polebridge (taking the kind woman's offer of her cabin up here in the middle of nowhere) and will continue on the forest service roads over to Eureka before making our way to Sandpoint, ID.

Can you spot the bear in the river?

We could!

Glacier National Park

The long way down Going-to-the-Sun road

Our cabin for a few nights

Breakfast of champions...  or at least breakfast for us!  Polebridge Mercantile

Our Radio Interview

While in Ohio, Ryan and I were interviewed on a radio show called the Outspoken Cyclist on the 9/3/11 show. We are interviewed within the first 5 minutes. Click on the link below to listen (which is at the bottom of the shows description):

http://www.wjcu.org/media/audio/shows/outspokencyclist

Last night in Bozeman

Setting up camp by the light of the moon in a city park, tucked just inside a small patch of bushes, we thought we would sleep tight. 3:30am, a sprinkle of liquid hits our tent, similar sound to someone/something peeing on our fly. Maybe a spit of rain? Hopefully not a grizzy. Hopefully not wolves marking their territory. I freeze and my stomach turns to knots as my imagination turns to the worst. 10 minutes later, staying as quiet as possible, spit spit spit spit spit spit spit.....faster and faster. Ryan cracks up as the sprinklers shoot right at our tent. Thank goodness for our new fly! It lasted about an hour, every 5 minutes hitting the tent.

2 hours later, Ryan woke to a soaked left side. The water had pooled beneath the tent and forced its way through the floor. It's quite cold out, 30 or so degrees, still dark. Not much we can do. The sun started to rise around 6:30 and so did we. Packing up was quite a challenge, opting to put our wet possessions in our outside bags until we can spread out and dry with the sun. Cold fingers and toes, we rode to a great little coffee shop a few miles away where we were briefly approached by a fellow bicycle touring who has a cabin in Glacier. She quickly told us of her travels on a bike and gave us the address and code of her cabin to stay in. Every situation leads to something great. Some just take longer to come into fruition.

The kindness of a police officer - Writing

Tucked in the corner at the airport with our gear spread out, a police officer walked up and asked us if we were planning on camping out here. It started a conversation of the area, giving us tips of roads to travel and advice regarding the grizzlies. We are in grizzly country. He asked if we had bear spray, which we do not at the moment but I had every intention of buying some in town. Flying with it is illegal and is often confiscated at the airport. He went to his office and returned with two cans of bear spray, saving us over $100. Ryan was shocked that the police actually gave him a weapon! Thank you friendly polieman. I feel safer already!

Unexpected turns in life - Writing

June 20, 2011, I had a flight leaving from Detroit (where I was able to visit my sister and her family-extremely great to see them!) up to Anchorage. I would meet back up with Ryan to begin our ride from Anchorage down to San Diego. Our initial thoughts going into this bike touring lifestyle were to truly embrace the no destination, no agenda, no timeline motto. These next few months were a true testament of our words.

Ryan's mom has not been feeling well since back in March. June 19 she was told she needed invasive surgery to remove a section of her intestines. Our luxury in life of not having a job, rent, or any real have-to's, we completely changed gears and both made last minute plans to head to Ohio. It worked out very well and we both feel so fortunate that we were at a point in our lives where we could be there for them and help.

Alaska in June - Pictures

Hawaii - Pictures

High on the ridge looking over Waimanalo

Oahu has some very uncrowded beaches if you know where they are

Char-su manapua          Yum!

Climbing the waterfalls in Palolo valley

Getting up to the ridge required some faith in old ropes

Lisa not too happy with climbing down

while Todd happily descends to the crater

Hiking along the old lava rocks along the coast

Found this amazingly clear tide pool and happily went for a swim

Todd points out the fresh guavas

Lots of backgammon

Todd's neighbor Sam let us pick fresh mangos

Sam Sr. directs Lisa with the picking pole

Days and days of fresh mangos!

Makapu'u point

Bad day - broken toe #3 in 2011

Broken toe + Walmart = free motorized scooter ride