California

Camping out
I'm in Crystal lake California.I'm on my way to Lake Tahoe.I've had a wonderful ride down the Pacific Coast Highway.Last night I was in Crescent City California.This morning I rode through the redwood forests of northern California.It was amazing.Winding roads and these huge redwoods everywhere.The road was mountainous with many winding turns.It was crazy fun.Northern California is really rugged with lots of mountains,I had no idea.

There is nothing wrong with my ribs.Absolutely no visible sign of trauma.No bruises, no scratches, and no swelling.However, I am still experiencing discomfort.It is getting better with each passing day.I haven't taking any pain killers, because I don't want to mask any pain that I should be aware of. Now, it just feels like I got elbowed really hard in the boob.Don't worry,I'm paying close attention to whats going on with my body.I'm also riding with caution.

Humpty Dumpy

Mt. Hood

Today started out promising.It was about a 60 mile ride up to Mt. Hood.By 10 o'clock it was in the 90's.After snapping off a few pictures and taking in the mountain with all it's glory, I packed up and started on my decent back down the six mile timberline road.I was now going to ride on to the Columbia Gorge.I was indecisive as to which way it was out of the parking lot and in the last instant I turned left, but I was on a steep incline.It was so steep my left foot couldn't touch the ground as I made a sharp left turn the bike began to lean further and further and my foot still wouldn't touch.Soon I was past the point of no return.When my foot finally touched the weight was too much and the bike just slammed me to the ground, HARD!

My left arm remained on the handle bar and was trapped between the road and my rib cage.The whole force of the spill went right to my upper rib cage.I laid there for ten seconds or so trying to get my wind back and reeling in extreme pain.I thought to myself,oh I just broke my fucking ribs.I've never felt anything like that.What a smack down.I crawled out from under the bike and picked it up.Just then this guy came over and asked if I needed some help.I said yeah,just grab the front brake.I got the kickstand down, and immediately checked the bike for damage.The left mirror was smashed, other than that,not a scratch.

Now I could focus on the pain in my chest.Ouch! That fucking hurt.Ooh Damn, I just fucked up my mirror, I said. It was all over but the crying.I got back on my horse and rode gingerly down the mountain.Damn, I thought, Mt. Hood just kicked my ass.

I'm laid up in a super 8 motel sore as hell.There doesn't seem to be any swelling or bruising as of yet,but getting in and out of bed is painful.I bruised up my ego pretty bad and beat myself up all the way back to Portland.I'm taking it easy til tomorrow and we'll see how I feel in the morning.Sorry for all the profanity,but I didn't want to pull any punches in my description of today's festivities.

There, I got that off my chest.

Portland

I'm in Portland right now, it's as hot as bejesus! I rode back up the coast and got the first 600 mile service done on the bike,then rode to Portland. I have to say I'm noy very impressed.For one thing it's just too damn hot.Yesterday it was 102.I think I'm better off staying away from cities.Today I'm going to ride up to Mt. Hood, then over to the Columbia Gorge.It sure is nice being able to cover some ground.I've seen tons of bicyclists and in this heat it's got to be tough. Alrighty then... see ya

Motorcycle Heaven

Sunset city
The money shot
Bandon beach lighthouseBandon beach

I spent the night in Bandon beach, Oregon.A beautiful little town with lots of rocks on the coast.I just kinda tooled my way south, taking in all the beautiful sights.Fish taco's were on the menu last night.Yum.The weather is amazing and I'm feeling pretty good. Lucky to be alive...

Que: Eye of the Tiger music here...

My new mode of transportationI am just beachy keenSeal rock is where I camped for the nightWhat a wonderful coastThe devils punch bowl

Sometimes in life you just have to do what you want to do, and this is one of those times.I sold the bike with some of my gear at a bicycle shop and bought this Husquavarna. Nice.Now I'm going to leisurely tour the west coast pacific highway.Last night I camped at Seal Rock in Oregon and met some great people.We hung out by the bonfire till around 11:30 drinking beer and telling stories.The weather is beautiful on the coast,but really hot inland.It's in the 100's in Portland.

The adventure continues...

Changed my mind

high above the Oregon coastNice beach

After much contemplation I decided to resume my journey on land. Last night I told Marvin I wanted to abandon ship.Life on the ocean was a little too slow paced.It was great when we had wind, but boring when we had to motor at 2 miles an hour.Marvin took it well and was just as nice as ever.We had coffee together this morning and bid each other farewell.Ever since the sand bar incident I tried to convince myself it would be o.k.,but in the end my land loving self convinced me to get back on solid ground.Now I'm headed down the Oregon coast in search of winding roads and beautiful landscapes.I hope to get back to Portland as well, to meet up with Jamie and Cece in the first week in August,then head to California and see my old friend Jesse Muson and a much anticipated reunion with my dear friend Christi who also resides in California with her husband and two children.Stay tuned for some exciting new developments in my quest to travel, discover and experience life on the go.

Hungry to get going

An interesting view from the docks in AstoriaThe view from my cabin this morning

The next leg of our trip is an 112 mile run from the Columbia river to Coos bay.It looks as though we're going to have to spend another night at sea.With such a distance we don't have much of a choice.The forecast for Friday is 35 mile an hour gale force winds with 8-10 foot seas.Um, I don't think we'll be leaving with those kind of conditions.Saturday looks much better.

The controllers for the motor should be here today. Marvin will install them and we should be ready to go.The weather here lately is typical, rainy and overcast.Not much for sightseeing or riding my bike around.I'm spending most of my day in a cafe getting wired, wireless of course.Last night I cooked up some spaghetti with meat sauce and served it with sourdough.We chased it down with a bottle of white Merlot.

We need to get some food and do a load of laundry before getting out of here, oh yeah,and gas up and change the oil on one of the generators.Other than that we're good to go.All this sitting around just makes me hungry.Well, actually bored and that makes me want to eat.I think tonight I'll do Mexican... Sounds good to me.