Diamond Lake to Portland

9/5/2010
Left the campsite early, but not as early as I had wanted. After feeling like I did yesterday, all I wanted was to keep moving. But it was COLD! coldest I've felt yet. hands barley worked packing up and tying all the gear down to Norm. He also had a rough time getting going. Took a few tries to get his parts moving. I think we both felt the thirty day calendar this morning.

Bolted North through Bend, Redmond and Madras. Had to keep stopping to fuss w/ the adding or arranging of clothing for the weather. Decided to take HW 26 into the Mt. Hood National Forest and then 35 North right past Mt. Hood itself. And I thought it was cold this morning. Just passing Mt. Hood on the low, little blacktop two laner, I could feel the temperature dropping by the second .Brrrr! I think this was a premonition of what's to come.

I have decided to keep heading North to Vancouver Island, British Colombia (BC). I met quite a few people this last week who had nothing but compliments about the place and they definitely encouraged me keep this Northern heading.

Made it into Portland late afternoon. No enthusiasm to find a campsite, poor planing on my part. However, got the last available room at the Ace Hotel. I've heard of this hotel chain before (okay I get the monthly email) and it is the best hotel I have I have ever stayed in to date. Check their website out if you get a chance, my photos don't do the hotel any justice http://www.acehotel.com/. Great vibe, great decor and great price (respectively). Actually, couldn't have asked for anything better. Senior Bri, if your reading this, I tried your suggested hostel, but it was all full up. Met some folks at the Deschutes Brewery tonight who were staying at that hostel, they booked three weeks in advance. I guess that's what happens when lack of planning happens.

Yachats to Diamond Lake

9/4/2010

Left Yachats at 9:00am this morning. I was sad to say goodbye to uncle Bob and aunt Carolyn. They were so wonderful, they really made me feel at home while I was there. Thank you again for everything. I hope to see you both again very soon. I love you both.

Had to backtrack today, Southeast. Final destination, Crater Lake. No campsites available because of Labor Day weekend, so Diamond Lake (just a few miles North) is were I will lay my head tonight.

Had a little bit of sun early on, but quickly turned gray. Bundled up tight in warm clothes. Any little available opening and the wind can find it. Still trying to get used to riding in the colder weather. Sun showed back up about an hour from Diamond Lake, so the ride became beautiful following the North Umpqua Wild & Scenic River in.

Crater Lake is unbelievable, looks like something out of Avitar. The water was an enchanting deep blue. Wish I could have enjoyed it to the fullest, but I just couldn't. Was just a little to sad today. It's been exactly one month since I set out on this journey. I had to make some great sacrifices and leave many important things behind; Angela (my love), Perri (her dog), Houston (my home for six years) and many many great friends I've made over the years there. Yes, today was a difficult day to set back out on the open road alone.

Tonight, the campfire is blazing in front of me, Wilco is playing in the background and thoughts of past, present and future fill my mind. Tonight, I just look forward to tomorrow. Everything seems better with a full day ahead of you.

Yachats, The Gem of the Oregon Coast.

Yachats is a great little town located on the coast of Oregon between Florance and Newport (basically in the middle of the state). I've had a really nice relaxing time here, and I encourage anyone traveling through (or destination as well) to stop by this lovely little town and enjoy the coast of Oregon.

Redwood National Park to Yachats, OR

Tuesday 8/31/2010

Was out of the campsite by 7:45am, so no need to pay. Normally I would never think about skipping out on the bill, but $35 a night, come on California. We all know the state is broke, but your not going to get back in the black by over taxing the campers of the world.

Continued on the 101 and passed Paul & Babe in Klamath, CA. Had to get Norm a photo w/ these two. Ran into some heavy fog still early in the morning. It's nice to be experiencing other weather conditions other than all the sun and heat I've been having on this trip. We got above the fog cover in some parts and could see out over the coast for miles (no water to been seen though), spectacular non the less.

Didn't stop much today, only when the 101 snaked back to the coast and when my chain started giving me trouble again. I'm really not an idiot, and ever since New Mexico I have been maintaining the chain regularly and keeping an eagle eye on it. I just don't know why It keeps stretching like it does? I have to keep pulling the wheel back every three days or so to counter act the slack that keeps happening. My assumptions are as follows; 1) Carrying a lot of weight for this size bike. 2) Riding a lot of miles, even every three days. 3) Small chain size to begin w/ for this bike, KTM cycle guys in New Mexico were surprised the chain size was so small on this 650cc. 4) The chain currently on the bike is just your average "no brand" type. Maybe a combination of all these conditions just isn't enough for the chain on the bike. Either way, a new higher quality chain is what I might be looking at very shortly.

Made it into Yachats around 6:00pm, just before the rain started to fall. I'm currently staying w/ my aunt and uncle who live in this small coastal Northwestern town. I will be kicking my feet up and relaxing w/ them for a few days. I don't often see Bob & Carolin, so I'm quite pleased to be able to spend some time together.

Might be attempting some day rides while I'm here, but nothing is set in stone. I'll check the map and see how I feel. Currently just happy to be somewhere again where I feel loved.

Norm Eats Dirt For Breakfast

MacKerricher State Park to Redwood National Park
Monday 8/30/2010

Left the campsite before 9:00am. Kept heading North on the 1. Came across an open trail road (been keeping my eyes pealed, all the others before had locked gates). Found out it was Sinkyone Wilderness State Park. Had no idea where I was going, just kept reading the compass for a Northern heading. And if I could see the coast, made sure it was to my left. The trail conditions were fair to poor. No were near the roads in the Gila National Forest in New Mexico. I only averaged about 10-15 mph on these, so much more technical. The undulation was spectacular, very steep in some parts and many switchbacks. Also, miles of sand (or deep dust) in parts. Norm and I took a spill going about 20, but got back up and kept on keepin' on. Needless to say, Just Awesome! And all done before lunch.

Made it back to the 1/101 (they merged a while back), but then got off shortly after to ride 'The Avenue of Giants. Tallest and oldest Redwoods in Northern California. Over 300 feet tall and over 2,000 years old. Crazy right!?

Found a campsite in the Redwood National State Park. No ranger on duty, so no $35 to pay if I leave before they get in in the morning. Took a shower finally (had to pay for that). Made a fire, ate some dinner and met a cool young couple Ben & Kelsey  across the way. They were on their way to Burning Man, but decided to sell their tickets and keep heading South in CA camping for the week. They might be heading where I just came from; Napa, San Fran, Yosemite & Sequoia National Park. Hope you two wild and crazy kids have fun, I know I will.

Napa Valley to MacKerricher State Park (North of Fort Bragg, CA)

Sunday 8/29/2010

Up early, said my goodbyes to Philipp and the family. Had some time to kill before the wineries open for the day. Headed back through Napa to Sonoma. Saw a great lil diner on my way in yesterday packed w/ cars and wanted to see what all the hu-bub was about. Glad I did, great food and an even better atmosphere. Check them out, just google 'The Fremont Diner'. Lots of good reviews, even the New York Times wrote an article on 'em. If you ever find yourself in the Sonoma area, I highly recommend the sausage biscuit w/ a side of cheesy grits and a drip coffee. Or anything else, I'm sure it's all good. Wait a minute, is this blog about Me & The Norm, or is it about food? I digress.

Stopped at Beringer Vineyards on my way back through Napa. Apparently it is the second oldest vineyard in the Napa Valley. Beautiful grounds tucked not to far away from Main St. in the town of Helena. Had a few tastings and walked out w/ two bottles of wine. Crap, where am I going to fit these on The Norm? I'm already packed to the gills. Well, it took a little finagling, but managed to find some extra room.
Headed West after that, to the coast. Starting to get much colder now. Had to suit up in my long johns today, preparing for the Northern ride. I'm a little weary I did not bring enough cold weather gear. Been living in Texas to long I guess, forgot what cold really feels like. Might be wearing the same get-up for sleeping and riding, who knows.

Camped at another state park just North of Fort Bragg. Yep, another $35. Close to the beach, I hear the waves from my tent. We hit the 5,000 mile mark on the way in, so that was uplifting. No celebrating though. No fire, no dinner, no interesting people tonight. Just me, and of coarse my friend who got me here, The Norm.

San Francisco to Napa Valley

Saturday 8/28/2010

Got a very late start today. Slept in b/c I had one to many Sierra Nevadas at a pub downtown. A few victory drinks for concurring the mountain chain of the same name for last 3 days. Also, time flys by when I update the blog. Took me quite a few hours this morning, still not getting any faster.
After packing up The Norm, we headed North out of San Francisco over the Golden Gate Bridge. People cross it everyday so it might not seem like a big deal, but for me, it was a great accomplishment. It was an emotional experience, I even got goose bumps if that tells you anything.

Only rode a few hours today, Napa isn't that far from San Fan. The ride would have been awesome, except for some construction and a fallen tree that halted traffic for what seemed like forever. Hadn't eaten anything all day except for a granola bar, so when I  saw a cool older style hamburger joint, I pulled right in (also letting the traffic die down some). Had a hormone free double w/ cheese, fries and a Dr. Pepper, yum!
Getting late and going to try a to camp for the night, so need to hit the road. Got lucky, last campsite of the lot. Passed a peddle bike traveler on the way in. Felt bad getting the last spot after passing him 50 yards from the entrance. I waited and offered to split the site w/ him. He was more than happy, especially when he heard the cost was $35 a night. Outrageous right!? Just to lay down on the dirt. So, needless to say I was also quite happy with how things worked out.

A bit about the peddle biker. His name is Philipp, from Germany. He has been riding since May, started from New York City, final destination is San Fran. What a cool dude. After this ride, he's heading to New Zealand, then Australia. 10 months in total! Wow, my trip is minuscule in comparison, and now I feel pretty dang lazy using a motor to get around. I'm inspired, maybe there's a peddle bike trip in my future?
We meet our fellow camp neighbors, an Iranian family from Orange County. They share their dinner, tea, campfire and marshmallows w/ us. Very nice folks. The woman (Mae) had lived in Germany for 11 years  just a few towns over from Philipp's hometown. 

Sometimes, the world doesn't seem so big.