Pacific Ocean Send Off

 

Rear wheel in the surf

We are grateful to our friends Carl and Nancy who made our start at the Pacific as simple as it could possibly be. Carl drove us to our starting point today. Now we are sitting at our campsite thinking of the road ahead of us and feeling very committed. It's a little overwhelming standing at the surf of the Pacific knowing that our long awaited dream is about to begin.

The beach at Cape Lookout is absolutely beautiful and we are now waiting to watch the sun set over the ocean. Something we have not been able to do since moving to Maine in 1981.

 

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One day closer

Yesterday we arrived at the home of our good friends Paul and Caron Klopping. Now today we leave leave them and head for other good friends Carl and Nancy Stewart who will drive us to our starting point (Cape Lookout) tomorrow. Our visit with Paul and Caron has been delightful and it is with a touch a sadness that we leave them. We are reminded of all the interesting and wonderful people God puts in our path as we travel through life - each with a purpose. We are very thankful as we begin our cycling adventure which in itself is only a subset of a larger adventure defined by our life.

 

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We're in Oregon!

We are now in beautiful Oregon - Monday June 1st. But before we left we packed our tandem with all its gear just to make sure it fit. Then we dismantled the bike and fit everything inside our rental car - a Toyota Carolla. It all fit! The trip was great (we live in a beautiful country) and the car served us well. We are now very ready to hit the Road via tandem and see our country and experience the people at a much slower pace.

Bike loaded with our gear

Rental car with the Tandem inside

 

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Thanks Jane!

 

Jane and Riley

Our thanks to Jane whose watching over Riley our Golden Retriever. It was sad leaving him however we're sure he'll have a great summer. Jane lives right on on the water and gives Riley plenty of exercise. She's also a dog trainer who was instrumental in helping us with Riley. Riley was rescued and nursed back to health after being found abandoned in the woods. When he came to live with us he needed to learn some manners. That's where Jane came in - now he's such a good boy who we'll miss dearly during this adventure.

 

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Prayer

Prayed over at EABC

Our departure date is rapidly coming upon us! We leave for Oregon in only three days. Wow! We are looking so much forward to this grand adventure but we have also realized how important being covered in prayer is. Last night at church service our pastor and church prayed over us - how wonderful and humbling. For those of you who pray, please do so for us...

• Our safety as we travel.
• Our response to "God moments" as we travel. God has brought so many different people across our path on each of our earlier tours that we have no doubt that there will be plenty more on this one. We pray for sensitivity and a willingness to be used of God as we travel.
• Us as a couple - that our love for each other will grow even deeper. God has given me a fantastic wife and life mate. There aren't many women that would look forward to 3 months on a bicycle with only one set of street clothes to choose from when we are not riding (among other things). I even had the nerve to ask her if she really needed a towel. You can guess her answer.

 

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5 weeks and counting!

We leave for Oregon in 5 weeks from today. The weather finally broke last week and spring is here. It feels so good to be outdoors getting chores done that need to be done before we leave. This picture shows our trailer full of fire wood before loading into the barn for storage. We now have 8 chord stacked - 2 more to go! It's rewarding and hard work from the tree to the barn. Such is the life of leisure in retirement! The orchard is pruned and the prunnings are picked up. We are also riding outdoors which feels so good after a winter in the gym! The reality of this trip is sinking in. Can't wait!

 

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Its cold outside but we still dream

Here's our planned route for this summer. It's just shy of 4400 miles as it's laid out. We can't wait to start pedaling! We dream of warm, sunny and dry pavement. Winter continues to hang on. It's cold and windy outside as I write this.

Route for 2015 bicycle trip

 

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