Hanging out in LA

A few days in Los Angeles and my brain has sped up.  Instead of processing the world at 10-12 miles per hour, it has caught up with the faster pace of traffic around here.  Readjusting to the world.....Showering everyday, clean clothes, those sorts of things.

Pat is healing well, but is not a very patient patient.  She only has a splint for her broken wrist (no cast), but is eager to discard that and downgrade to a smaller brace already. Until then, I have been cutting up her food, opening bottles for her, and washing her right hand.  All of which drives her crazy since she can't do those things herself. We did get some vet wrap from the pet store so now her arm is a bright blue, which is much more cheerful than the bland white stuff.

We reached LA several days ago and I still have not completely adjusted to sleeping in a bed and having space to stretch out. Those sleeping bags can be pretty restrictive and train you to lay still or do the rotisserie-thing to roll over. Also strange to cook fresh food and use several pots. There are so many dishes to wash!

We are going to spend the next few days exploring California - north and south, except by car this time. Pat is returning home to Chattanooga in a week, so we are going to try to fit a lot of sight-seeing. We plan to work on organizing our pictures and posting them online this week. No promises, but will let you know when they are ready.

Continuing to L.A.

Before our journey was so rudely interrupted by the previously described vehicular accident, we were biking our way down the California coast to Jess' place in Los Angeles. Today, our ultimate goal is still the same though our approach to the travel is a bit less intense. My cushioned seat back is in its full reclined position and my feet are kicked up on the dashboard of the sporty rented minivan. Haha! Apparently it was the only vehicle for rent in Fort Bragg capable of hauling our bikes on a one way trip to LA.

I say 'our' bikes but really it is Jess' bike and my pile of scrap metal and salvageable parts. The full steel frame of my bike is completely bent in half and the pedal arms are all twisted up. The back fender and rack is trashed as is the left rear saddle bag (pannier). I haven't inspected all the gear yet but I already know I owe Jess a new cooking pot. Regardless, it is all thrown in the back of the minivan.

Jess is having to do all the driving, poor thing, since my now diagnosed broken wrist is in a temporary splint. The radiologist called yesterday to advise of the break. We were already on the road and had to swing by a second hospital for treatment. The wrist will still need some follow up tests and casting in a few days. Anyway, I probably shouldn't drive with Vicodin on board. My bruises are becoming more impressive each day. If you use the slightest imagination you can even see the imprint of the SUV's side mirror on the back of my left arm!

I was planning to take the actual mirror home with me (it was left behind at the crime scene) but the police asked to keep it for the part number and as evidence. The young police officer impressed me with his determination to track down the hit n run driver.

Well, neither of us has/had any interest in continuing down route 1, so we are skipping our way through California vineyards and valleys. Ultimately we will sleep in LA tonight.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Luck

Being hit by a car is a dramatic event and it is a statement that has
been repeated in disbelief dozens of times in the past 12 hours. Luck
- both good and bad. It was a straight section of road with a wide and
clean shoulder. Pat was several feet from the lane. It was the
afternoon of a clear and sunny day. Seems like great biking
conditions. No steep slope. No sharp or blind curves. No cliff. No
guard rail. No fog. No heavy traffic. Not riding in the car lane. No
bridge or strong wind. No obvious distractions for a driver...... Bad
luck to be hit. The good luck is that there was a nice embankment and
shoulder to land on. And we were riding near each other. And her
injuries are minor. And that there are good people in the world who
stop and offer help and put their jacket under your head when you are
laying on the ground.

Bike Trip is Done

First - Pat is okay. She is only bruised and nothing is broken. Second
- Pat was hit by a car yesterday afternoon along Route 1 the costal
drive. It was a hit and run by a large SUV. She was pushed over her
handlebars. Tuck and roll into the embankment. She never lost
consciousness so unfortunately she remembers the entire event. I was
ahead of her and did not see the impact but was close enough to hear
and run back. Some very nice people stopped and called 911 for us.
Fast response from emergency services and there were 5 emergency
vehicles there inc police investigating the crime scene. We went to
the hospital - first time in an ambulance for both of us. The nurses
and doctors did their thing and lots of xrays were taken. Pats left
side is very bruised and banged up. Lots of abraisions and her left
wrist is very swollen but not as much as her left ankle which is
massive. No major damage though. Simply amazing considering the
vehicle and speed. The security guard drove us to a local motel for
the night.

Redwoods

We have spent much of the last two days in awe of the huge redwood
trees as we ride past them. There have been several scenic byways
through redwood groves and we take them all. Majestic and old and
gigantic. I will be coming back here again soon.......There are two
significant differences to this portion of the bike trip. First we
have come across as many bikers in our two days on the Cal coast as we
saw crossing the entire country. This route is pretty popular. Second
the ocean is a new factor. It has been foggy in the mornings and
freezing cold all day long. It has been warming up slightly as we head
south but the blistering hot desert of Idaho and Oregon is long gone.
Thats okay though. I gladly take the redwoods over the sagebrush and
do not mind the enveloping mist that comes with them.

Pacific Ocean

We did it!!! Today, after 4,627 miles and 90 days of bicycling our way across the country, Jess and I touched the Pacific Ocean...successfully completing our coast to coast Americana tour! If people could hug an ocean I think we would. The ocean just gives big sloppy wet kisses in return.
We landed at the coastline of the Pacific Ocean in Crescent City, California. We realize this is somewhat different than our original thoughts of reaching Portland, OR but we have new and exciting future plans...*see below...
Across the country, we went through 12 states, 3 new tires/7 flats, saw countless state parks and forests, endured 109 degree deserts, crossed 9,000+ foot mountain passes, sunk into caverns, road ferries, watched historic and modern baseball games, toured museums, read dozens of historic roadside markers, stumbled into rodeos and tractor pulls,were bombarded by hail, backed down by a bison, traversed mudslides, visited waterfalls, met hundreds of fascinating people, camped illegally more times than not, experienced local cuisine and culture, etc, etc, etc.. So, so many stories to tell. All in all it was the adventure of a lifetime! YEAH!!!!

* Note... We are having so much fun we have decided to continue our trip, extending it to Los Angeles. We plan to keep posting on this blog site as long as we are riding and hope you all keep reading.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Crater Lake National Park

We spent yesterday biking to and around the remnants of a 6,500 year old volcanic event. In this case there were no spoils, no lava fields or barren mountain sides. Instead, a barely noticed void can be seen at the peak of a mountain. Only once you are standing at the rim of the void can you appreciate that deep within the mountain - also the mouth of the volcano, a large lake lays within. The pristine Crater Lake is an incomprehensible 4 miles wide, 6 miles long and something ridiculous like 4,000 feet deep. The depth accounts for its startling color variations from cobalt and royal blues to forest and limey greens. I have to admit we spent a lot of time at the rim just looking in. It is something of a wonder.

The long ride down out of the park finally brought us into the shades of Oregon that I am familiar with. (Imagine the fly fishing commercials you see on television suggesting your entire family would enjoy Oregon's wilderness, recreation, boating, hunting and fishing.) We were able to set up a tent under a full canopy of trees for the first time in...well, a while.

Jess claims she rode 13 miles down out of the Cascade mountains this morning without pedaling or braking. But I am skeptical!

Seems we may hit the coast in less than two days! We'll keep you posted.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Central Oregon

We havent left left the planet just civilization! Yesterday we biked
an obscene number of miles through flat desert coverend in sagebrush.
It was very 2-dimensional and boring. And no towns aong the way so we
had to keep biking to reach water in tiny Christmas Valley. Our second
town of the trip called Christmas. Today was much improved as we biked
through national forests and saw trees again for the first time in two
states. Just lovely. Also went through a beautiful marsh and had to
climb over a ranchers locked gate to reach the water faucet. No towns
today either except for a tiny one early on. It would be lonely except
we both have great company along for the ride! Should be another five
days or so until we reach the coast. Lots of climbing over mountains
still to come. Why is there always one extra big hurdle just before
the finish line?

My Tattoo

As my dad reminded me, I have not yet posted a picture of the tattoo I got earlier on this trip. So here it is. The AT symbol is the recognized sign for the Appalachian Trail and 2009 is the year I completed a thru-hike of the trail. It is on the outside of my left heel. Yes, I am thinking about another tattoo marking this cross-country bike trip. There seems to be a blank spot on the outside of my right heel. Haven't figured out a design yet. Any suggestions?
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

OREGON!!

OREGON people! We are in OREGON! If you look at a map of the U.S. you
will see that OREGON has a significant border along the Pacific Ocean.
This is very exciting! Especially after the barren nothingness that is
the desert of southern Idaho. Also I know we have been saying we were
heading toward Portland OREGON but we ended up in central-southern
OREGON and dont see any reason to head back northward so the goal now
is just to head west until we hit the ocean. Very excited to be in
OREGON although it is also characterized by farms and sagebrush and
terrific wi

Campsite in ID

Tonights campsite sponsored by mother nature!
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Craters of the Moon Monument

How many people know that there is a place in the middle of the Idaho desert covered with a lava flow? As of today there are two more than yesterday. Jess and I just visited the Craters of the moon monument. It may not exactly resemble the craters of the moon but it is the pristine black lava image you conjure up in your mind when someone talks about volcanoes. In all there is over 50 miles of lava in all shapes forms and flow patterns. Very cool!

Will anyone come back here with me and go backpacking for a week of two? Jess is wavering on this. Rock temperatures exceed 150 degrees in the summertime and water is extremely scarce. Oh and the lava is jagged, sharp and loose underfoot. Who's in? Somebody out there must want to do this too?
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Wind Swept

Yesterday we had our toughest climb yet over Teton Pass to get over
the Rocky Mountains and leave Wyoming. If you are going to climb 2500
feet on your bike over 6 miles I highly recommend doing it in the cool
morning hours. The 10 percent downhill grade on the other side made it
all worth it!! Into Idaho!! Which seems to be the land of stormy
clouds. The clouds build and darken quickly. There is lightning and
thunder and then . . . about as much rain as if you ran thru a
sprinkler. Today we were literally pushed off the road by the wind!
Even with all the strength we have built up over these weeks it was
too windy to stay upright on the bike. Glad to have found another
abandoned barn for the night to block the wind gusts that keep popping
up still. Mostly though this weather just contributes to excitement.
Every day of this trip is different and a new adventure whether it is
climbing a mountain or tumbleweed chasing us or making the cows in the
pasture herd and run off. Every state has its own personalit

Be the mountain

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Yellowstone

We were there but I never did see the yellow stone everyone is all excited about. I had a vision of a huge yellow boulder not unlike like the Blarney stone with a lengthy line of tourists waiting to kiss it. LoL! Still we entered through the East entrance, circled the park, saw Old Faithful spout off the exited via the Southern gate.
In the past three days we encountered a range of wildlife: black bear, moose, deer, mule deer, elk and RVs. While in the park we did abide by the regulations governing tenting (sort of) and stayed in the designated tent/RV sites though we didn't actually register in any of them. Technically the sites were all full so we just asked people if we could share their camp sites. At night our food went in designated bear boxes or in other peoples cars for safe keeping. The hot showers at the camp sites made the gross numbers of tourists bearable.
Today with the temperature hovering at 42 degrees we biked our way into the Grand Teton National Park. Quite possible the most beautiful place thus far. I will have to ponder that some more. Just a little factoid the French originally called the Tetons 'the Three Breasts' perhaps because they loved them also!
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Happy Birthday Pat!

Today is Pats birthday! To celebrate she had breakfast in bed and then
we did one of her favorite activities - going for a bike ride! Reached
Cody WY a few minutes ago and already are seated with burgers on the
way. Chocolate cake is also coming soon!