Okay...I have put this off long enough. I understand why the last chapter in a book is the hardest to write...because it means it's over. I finished my ride a month ago and I think it was easier to ride a hundred miles than to put together all of the stats for this trip. Life has returned to normal for me...I ride 30-40 miles each day, mow my lawn, pick my blueberries, and get a daily wedding checklist from my youngest, who is getting married in September.
I rode down to Bob's Red Mill in Clackamas a couple of weeks ago and bought some steel cut oats and whole wheat flour. Remember that great oatmeal we had at Pete and Paula's house in Rhode Island? Well, I haven't forgotten it, and when the weather gets colder, I will be making myself a bowl with raisins, walnuts, and maple syrup for breakfast. I ended up gaining 4 pounds and have now put on another two. Ack!
We put 12,532.5 miles on the truck. That is a little more than I thought, but then we got lost a little more than I thought we would too. We all became better navigators, better map readers, better communicators. If you think 5 women can't get along in difficult situations (blowing dust in Arizona, a dandy thunderstorm in Oklahoma, a host who bailed on us in Ohio, hundreds of pounds of stuff that has to be packed and unpacked daily), think again. We had one skafuffle...brought on by a combination of fear, miscommunication, and plain ol' fatigue. We gave each other some space, and within a couple of days, the situation was resolved and I think all of us grew from that experience. I know I did.
I ended up riding a total of 5,032.7miles. There were a handful of times that I inadvertently turned the Garmin off, forgot to turn it back on, and rode extra mileage so that each day, the screen would display a century. Yeah, I know...
Karen, who was with me the entire lower 48, rode 45 of those days and 1807 miles. Patty rode 1056 miles and Laura rode1775. Liz rode 460. If you add up all of the miles this trip produced, you get 10,130.7 miles. It's mind boggling. So far, in 2012, I have put 11,223 miles on my bikes.
The trip cost me a little over $8000.00, a bargain when I consider the time frame and memories. I would ask the same people to support me...they were everything I had hoped for...if anything, I felt a little sheepish about how WELL they took care of me. I would reroute North Carolina, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. And I would buy a new ice chest. Seriously...I think we bought a ton of ice.
My favorite ten states, in alphabetical order, were: Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Utah, and Wyoming. Can I add two more? Hawaii should have made the list, but remember, I was riding at night, so I really couldn't see anything. Washington should have made the list too, if only by virtue of the company I kept.
There are cyclists who have ridden in all 50 states and a handful of cyclists who have ridden a century in all 50 states, but to my knowledge, no one has ever ridden 50 consecutive centuries. If you have, I'd like to talk to you...compare notes...share stories...find out what your therapist is saying about you... :) I realize that some people...cyclists even...aren't impressed...I was on a blog where someone thought it would have been better...greener...if the 5000 miles had been continuous. They were put off that I chose to cycle down Wolf Creek Pass...but then, they weren't cycling in those mid-20 temps, nor were they peddling against the 23 mph headwinds we had later in the day. Think what you want...I.don't.care. I set a goal, put my resources, time, and energy into that goal, and achieved that goal. I'm finished...I'm happy...and I'm beginning to wonder what else is out there that I might want to tackle.
maybe you can't...because you won't...
Friday, August 10, 2012
Saturday, July 14, 2012
The "Key" to all of the Movie Lines at the Beginning of the Blog Posts
Hawai'i---"I don't need easy, I just need possible..." Anna-Sophia Robb~Soul Surfer
California---"I am stuck on Ban Aid brand, cuz Band Aid's stuck on me..." Meg Ryan~City of Angels
Nevada---"What have you ever done to change the world?" Haley Joel Osment~Pay It Forward
Utah---"This rock has been waiting for me my entire life." James Franco~127 Hours
Arizona---"But I feared that I myself had unleashed him. For he was the fury that would be as soon as Florence Arizona found her little Nathan gone." Nicolas Cage~Raising Arizona
Colorado---"Enough of this Sunday stroll..." Luca Bercovici~American Flyers
New Mexico---"We'll jump off that bridge when we come to it." Patricia Wettid~City Slickers
Texas---"But what? Everyone has a big "But...? C'mon, Simone, let's talk about your big "But..." Paul Reubens~PeeWee's Big Adventure
Kansas---"By the way, I loved you in the Wizard of Oz." Tom Hanks~A League of Their Own
Oklahoma---"I tried to prove myself to you. But I know nothing of books, or alphabets, or sun, or moon, or...all I know is Josph loves Shannon." Tom Cruise~Far and Away
Arkansas---"You can tell him to his face, you can spit in his eye, you can make him eat sand out of the road, you can shoot him in the foot and I'll hold him for you...but first we gotta catch him." John Wayne~True Grit
Missouri---"Don't say that. Maggie walked through that door with nothing but guts. No chance in the world of being what she needed to be. It was because of you that she was fighting the championship of the world. You did that. People die everyday, Frankie - mopping floors, washing dishes and you know what their last thought is? I never got my shot. Because of you, Maggie got her shot. If she dies today you know what her last thought would be? I think I did all right." Morgan Freeman~Million Dollar Baby
Kentucky---"He leans back against the starting gate like he's in a hammock in the Caribbean." John Malkivich~Secretariat
Tennessee---"Um...before or after he turns around in his grave? Daddy's been gone 5 years, Elaine. Make matters worse, you were at the funeral, remember? You were Chanel-ing that awful black hat? Look, here's the deal, I don't need y'all to approve my choices alright, but I do ask that you respect them. You have no idea what this boy has been through and if this becomes some running diatribe, I can find overpriced salad a lot closer to home." Sandra Bullock~Blind Side
Mississippi---"I was an only child. He was an only dog." Harry Connick Jr.~My Dog Skip
Louisiana---"I find it amusing. Men are supposed to be made out of steel or something. I just sat there. I just held Shelby's hand. There was no noise, no tremble, just peace. Oh god. I realize as a woman how lucky I am. I was there when that wonderful creature drifted into my life and I was there when she drifted out. It was the most precious moment of my life." Sally Fields~Steel Magnolias
Alabama---"I found out what the secret to life is: friends. Best friends." Jessica Tandy~Fried Green Tomatoes
Florida---"Here I am, goin' to Florida, my leg hurts, my butt hurts, my chest hurts, my face hurts, and like that ain't enough, I gotta pee all over myself." Dustin Hoffman~Midnight Cowboy
Georgia---"Two little mice fell in a bucket of cream. The first mouse quickly gave up and drowned. The second mouse wouldn't quit. He struggled so hard that eventually he churned that cream into butter and crawled out. Gentleman, as of this moment, I am that second mouse." Leonardo DiCaprio~Catch Me If You Can
South Carolina---"They refuse to give me their names, but the ranks are nine lieutenants, five captains, three majors, and one very fat colonel who called me a...cheeky fellow." Mel Gibson~ The Patriot
North Carolina---"I believe in the Church of Baseball. I've tried all the major religions, and most of the minor ones. I've worshipped Buddha, Allah, Brahmo, Vishnu, Sivo, trees, mushrooms, and Isadora Duncan. I know things." Susan Sarandon~Bull Durham
Virginia---"Red light, green light. Come up against a lock you can't pick, you mash them together..."boom". Hasta lasagna, don't get any on ya'. You'll have about 5 seconds." Emilio Estevez~Mission Imposible
Maryland---"Actually, I believe the term "shyster" is reserved for attorneys of the Jewish persuasion. I believe the proper term for me is "eggplant". Will Smith~Enemy of the State
Delaware---"Well, we kind face north and real subtle-like, turn left..." Daniel Day Lewis~The Last of the Mohicans
New Jersey---"I wanna make you smile whenever you're sad/Carry you around when your arthritis is bad/All I wanna do is grow old with you/I'll get your medicine when your tummy aches/Build you a fire if the furnace breaks..." Adam Sandler~The Wedding Singer
Connecticut---"Yeah, I just stare at my desk; but it looks like I'm working. I do that for probably another hour after lunch too. I'd say in a given week I probably only do about fifteen minutes of real, actual work." Ron Livingston~Office Space
Rhode Island---"Amen. And amen. And amen. You have to forgive me. I'm not familiar with the local custom. Where I come from, you always say "Amen" after you hear a prayer. Because that's what you just heard - a prayer. Where I come from, that particular prayer is called "The Prayer for the Dead.". You just heard "The Prayer for the Dead" my fellow stockholders, and you didn't say "Amen.". This company is dead. I didn't kill it. Don't blame me. It was dead when I got here. It's too late for prayers. For even if the prayers were answered, and a miracle occurred, and the yen did this, and the dollar did that, and the infrastructure did the other thing, we would still be dead. You know why? Fiber optics. New technologies. Obsolescence. We're dead alright. We're just not broke." Danny Devito~Other People's Money
Massachusetts---"You'll get a shitload of fish. I've gone out before and motored back with so much stock little boys like you had to pack it on the pier. I always find the fish, always! And I will this time.". George Clooney~The Perfect Storm
Maine---"You know, Norman, you really are the sweetest man in the world, but I'm the only one who knows it.". Katherine Hepburn~On Golden Pond
New Hampshire---"Oh...Faye...this is so scrumptious! Is this hand shucked?" Bill Murray~What About Bob
Vermont---"What kind of man gives cigarettes to trees?" Robin Williams~The Survivors
New York---"By all means, move at a glacial pace; you know how that thrills me." Meryl Streep~The Devil Wears Prada
Pennsylvania---"There were 11 thunderstorms while you were gone, 11, you were right, he doesn't like them and just so you know I AM a dog person, but that is not a dog, that is evil with a dog face that humps my leg and is peeing on your carpet." Haley Hudson~Marley and Me
West Virginia---"What's wrong with death, sir? What are we so mortally afraid of? Why can't we treat death with a certain amount of humanity and dignity, and decency, and God forbid, maybe even humor. Death is not the enemy, gentlemen. If we're going to fight a disease, let's fight one of the most terrible diseases of all, indifference." Robin Williams~Patch Adams
Ohio---"WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE WHERE YOU BUY UNDERWEAR? WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE? UNDERWEAR IS UNDERWEAR! IT IS UNDERWEAR WHEREVER YOU BUY IT! IN CINCINNATI OR WHEREVER!" Tom Cruise~Rain Man
Michigan---"Paladins. Paladins kill Jumpers, I kill Paladins. Class dismissed. Jamie Bell~Jumper
Indiana---"I want American food, dammit, I want French fries." Paul Dooley~Breaking Away
Illinois---"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it." Matthew Broderick~Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Wisconsin---"Really quick! Speaking of Consuelo, Lillian and I took Spanish together in school. And so, I would just like to say to you and to everyone here, "Gracias para vivar en la casa, en la escuelas, en...en la azul...markada. Tienes con bibir en la Fortuashla? And gracias!" Kristen Wiig~The Bridesmaids
Iowa---"Ray, people will come Ray. They'll come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. Of course, we won't mind if you look around, you'll say. It's only $20 per person. They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack...". James Earl Jones~Field of Dreams
Minnesota---"I don't know, I drank like ten tons of Sunny D...Anyway, Dude, I'm telling you I'm pregnant and you're shockingly cavalier..." Ellen Page~Juno
North Dakota---"So that was Mrs. Lundegaard on the floor in there. And I guess that was your accomplice in the wood chipper. And those three people in Brainerd. And for what? For a little bit of money. There's more to life than a little money, you know. Don't you know that? And here ya' are, and it's a beautiful day. Well, I just don't understand it.". Frances McDorland~Fargo
South Dakota---"Dunbar, not Dumb Bear." Kevin Costner~Dances With Wolves
Nebraska---"Well, Ndugu, I'll close now. You probably can't wait to run and cash this check and get yourself something to eat." Jack Nicholson~About Schmidt
Wyoming---"Kid, the next time I say "Let's go someplace like Bolivia, let's GO someplace like Bolivia!" Paul Newman~Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Montana---"I was determined to stay out of them buffalo robes. Three young and healthy women with no man for who knows how long. The very idea kinda shrunk me like a spider on a hot stove." Dustin Hoffman~Little Big Man
Idaho---"Not exactly...Sparking Muskatelle...one of the finest wines of Idaho...would you like to smell the bottle cap?" Steve Martin~The Muppet Movie
Oregon---"OK, I'll talk! In third grade, I cheated on my History exam, in fourth grade I stole my Uncle Max's toupee and I glued it on my face when I was Moses in my Hebrew school play, in fifth grade I knockd my sister Edie down the stairs and blamed it on the dog..." Jeff Cohen~The Goonies
Washington---"Well, I'm gonna get out of bed every morning. ..breathe in and out all day long. Then after a while I won't have to remind myself to get out of bed and breathe in and out...and then after a while, I won't have to think about how I had it great and perfect for awhile." Tom Hanks~Sleepless in Seattle
Alaska---"The only plane in Nootsak belonged to a part-time bush pilot, gambler, and real estate tycoon named Rosie Little. While we were negotiating our deal, he introduced me to this drink that he'd invented. Known locally as "Moose Juice," it consisted of equal parts Moose brand beer and ethyl alcohol. Before I knew it, my old fear of flying evaporated, and I spent all the money I had left...on 24 cases of beer." Charles Martin Smith~Never Cry Wolf
maybe you can't...because you won't...
California---"I am stuck on Ban Aid brand, cuz Band Aid's stuck on me..." Meg Ryan~City of Angels
Nevada---"What have you ever done to change the world?" Haley Joel Osment~Pay It Forward
Utah---"This rock has been waiting for me my entire life." James Franco~127 Hours
Arizona---"But I feared that I myself had unleashed him. For he was the fury that would be as soon as Florence Arizona found her little Nathan gone." Nicolas Cage~Raising Arizona
Colorado---"Enough of this Sunday stroll..." Luca Bercovici~American Flyers
New Mexico---"We'll jump off that bridge when we come to it." Patricia Wettid~City Slickers
Texas---"But what? Everyone has a big "But...? C'mon, Simone, let's talk about your big "But..." Paul Reubens~PeeWee's Big Adventure
Kansas---"By the way, I loved you in the Wizard of Oz." Tom Hanks~A League of Their Own
Oklahoma---"I tried to prove myself to you. But I know nothing of books, or alphabets, or sun, or moon, or...all I know is Josph loves Shannon." Tom Cruise~Far and Away
Arkansas---"You can tell him to his face, you can spit in his eye, you can make him eat sand out of the road, you can shoot him in the foot and I'll hold him for you...but first we gotta catch him." John Wayne~True Grit
Missouri---"Don't say that. Maggie walked through that door with nothing but guts. No chance in the world of being what she needed to be. It was because of you that she was fighting the championship of the world. You did that. People die everyday, Frankie - mopping floors, washing dishes and you know what their last thought is? I never got my shot. Because of you, Maggie got her shot. If she dies today you know what her last thought would be? I think I did all right." Morgan Freeman~Million Dollar Baby
Kentucky---"He leans back against the starting gate like he's in a hammock in the Caribbean." John Malkivich~Secretariat
Tennessee---"Um...before or after he turns around in his grave? Daddy's been gone 5 years, Elaine. Make matters worse, you were at the funeral, remember? You were Chanel-ing that awful black hat? Look, here's the deal, I don't need y'all to approve my choices alright, but I do ask that you respect them. You have no idea what this boy has been through and if this becomes some running diatribe, I can find overpriced salad a lot closer to home." Sandra Bullock~Blind Side
Mississippi---"I was an only child. He was an only dog." Harry Connick Jr.~My Dog Skip
Louisiana---"I find it amusing. Men are supposed to be made out of steel or something. I just sat there. I just held Shelby's hand. There was no noise, no tremble, just peace. Oh god. I realize as a woman how lucky I am. I was there when that wonderful creature drifted into my life and I was there when she drifted out. It was the most precious moment of my life." Sally Fields~Steel Magnolias
Alabama---"I found out what the secret to life is: friends. Best friends." Jessica Tandy~Fried Green Tomatoes
Florida---"Here I am, goin' to Florida, my leg hurts, my butt hurts, my chest hurts, my face hurts, and like that ain't enough, I gotta pee all over myself." Dustin Hoffman~Midnight Cowboy
Georgia---"Two little mice fell in a bucket of cream. The first mouse quickly gave up and drowned. The second mouse wouldn't quit. He struggled so hard that eventually he churned that cream into butter and crawled out. Gentleman, as of this moment, I am that second mouse." Leonardo DiCaprio~Catch Me If You Can
South Carolina---"They refuse to give me their names, but the ranks are nine lieutenants, five captains, three majors, and one very fat colonel who called me a...cheeky fellow." Mel Gibson~ The Patriot
North Carolina---"I believe in the Church of Baseball. I've tried all the major religions, and most of the minor ones. I've worshipped Buddha, Allah, Brahmo, Vishnu, Sivo, trees, mushrooms, and Isadora Duncan. I know things." Susan Sarandon~Bull Durham
Virginia---"Red light, green light. Come up against a lock you can't pick, you mash them together..."boom". Hasta lasagna, don't get any on ya'. You'll have about 5 seconds." Emilio Estevez~Mission Imposible
Maryland---"Actually, I believe the term "shyster" is reserved for attorneys of the Jewish persuasion. I believe the proper term for me is "eggplant". Will Smith~Enemy of the State
Delaware---"Well, we kind face north and real subtle-like, turn left..." Daniel Day Lewis~The Last of the Mohicans
New Jersey---"I wanna make you smile whenever you're sad/Carry you around when your arthritis is bad/All I wanna do is grow old with you/I'll get your medicine when your tummy aches/Build you a fire if the furnace breaks..." Adam Sandler~The Wedding Singer
Connecticut---"Yeah, I just stare at my desk; but it looks like I'm working. I do that for probably another hour after lunch too. I'd say in a given week I probably only do about fifteen minutes of real, actual work." Ron Livingston~Office Space
Rhode Island---"Amen. And amen. And amen. You have to forgive me. I'm not familiar with the local custom. Where I come from, you always say "Amen" after you hear a prayer. Because that's what you just heard - a prayer. Where I come from, that particular prayer is called "The Prayer for the Dead.". You just heard "The Prayer for the Dead" my fellow stockholders, and you didn't say "Amen.". This company is dead. I didn't kill it. Don't blame me. It was dead when I got here. It's too late for prayers. For even if the prayers were answered, and a miracle occurred, and the yen did this, and the dollar did that, and the infrastructure did the other thing, we would still be dead. You know why? Fiber optics. New technologies. Obsolescence. We're dead alright. We're just not broke." Danny Devito~Other People's Money
Massachusetts---"You'll get a shitload of fish. I've gone out before and motored back with so much stock little boys like you had to pack it on the pier. I always find the fish, always! And I will this time.". George Clooney~The Perfect Storm
Maine---"You know, Norman, you really are the sweetest man in the world, but I'm the only one who knows it.". Katherine Hepburn~On Golden Pond
New Hampshire---"Oh...Faye...this is so scrumptious! Is this hand shucked?" Bill Murray~What About Bob
Vermont---"What kind of man gives cigarettes to trees?" Robin Williams~The Survivors
New York---"By all means, move at a glacial pace; you know how that thrills me." Meryl Streep~The Devil Wears Prada
Pennsylvania---"There were 11 thunderstorms while you were gone, 11, you were right, he doesn't like them and just so you know I AM a dog person, but that is not a dog, that is evil with a dog face that humps my leg and is peeing on your carpet." Haley Hudson~Marley and Me
West Virginia---"What's wrong with death, sir? What are we so mortally afraid of? Why can't we treat death with a certain amount of humanity and dignity, and decency, and God forbid, maybe even humor. Death is not the enemy, gentlemen. If we're going to fight a disease, let's fight one of the most terrible diseases of all, indifference." Robin Williams~Patch Adams
Ohio---"WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE WHERE YOU BUY UNDERWEAR? WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE? UNDERWEAR IS UNDERWEAR! IT IS UNDERWEAR WHEREVER YOU BUY IT! IN CINCINNATI OR WHEREVER!" Tom Cruise~Rain Man
Michigan---"Paladins. Paladins kill Jumpers, I kill Paladins. Class dismissed. Jamie Bell~Jumper
Indiana---"I want American food, dammit, I want French fries." Paul Dooley~Breaking Away
Illinois---"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it." Matthew Broderick~Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Wisconsin---"Really quick! Speaking of Consuelo, Lillian and I took Spanish together in school. And so, I would just like to say to you and to everyone here, "Gracias para vivar en la casa, en la escuelas, en...en la azul...markada. Tienes con bibir en la Fortuashla? And gracias!" Kristen Wiig~The Bridesmaids
Iowa---"Ray, people will come Ray. They'll come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. Of course, we won't mind if you look around, you'll say. It's only $20 per person. They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack...". James Earl Jones~Field of Dreams
Minnesota---"I don't know, I drank like ten tons of Sunny D...Anyway, Dude, I'm telling you I'm pregnant and you're shockingly cavalier..." Ellen Page~Juno
North Dakota---"So that was Mrs. Lundegaard on the floor in there. And I guess that was your accomplice in the wood chipper. And those three people in Brainerd. And for what? For a little bit of money. There's more to life than a little money, you know. Don't you know that? And here ya' are, and it's a beautiful day. Well, I just don't understand it.". Frances McDorland~Fargo
South Dakota---"Dunbar, not Dumb Bear." Kevin Costner~Dances With Wolves
Nebraska---"Well, Ndugu, I'll close now. You probably can't wait to run and cash this check and get yourself something to eat." Jack Nicholson~About Schmidt
Wyoming---"Kid, the next time I say "Let's go someplace like Bolivia, let's GO someplace like Bolivia!" Paul Newman~Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Montana---"I was determined to stay out of them buffalo robes. Three young and healthy women with no man for who knows how long. The very idea kinda shrunk me like a spider on a hot stove." Dustin Hoffman~Little Big Man
Idaho---"Not exactly...Sparking Muskatelle...one of the finest wines of Idaho...would you like to smell the bottle cap?" Steve Martin~The Muppet Movie
Oregon---"OK, I'll talk! In third grade, I cheated on my History exam, in fourth grade I stole my Uncle Max's toupee and I glued it on my face when I was Moses in my Hebrew school play, in fifth grade I knockd my sister Edie down the stairs and blamed it on the dog..." Jeff Cohen~The Goonies
Washington---"Well, I'm gonna get out of bed every morning. ..breathe in and out all day long. Then after a while I won't have to remind myself to get out of bed and breathe in and out...and then after a while, I won't have to think about how I had it great and perfect for awhile." Tom Hanks~Sleepless in Seattle
Alaska---"The only plane in Nootsak belonged to a part-time bush pilot, gambler, and real estate tycoon named Rosie Little. While we were negotiating our deal, he introduced me to this drink that he'd invented. Known locally as "Moose Juice," it consisted of equal parts Moose brand beer and ethyl alcohol. Before I knew it, my old fear of flying evaporated, and I spent all the money I had left...on 24 cases of beer." Charles Martin Smith~Never Cry Wolf
maybe you can't...because you won't...
Fishing-Day 2
A restriction had been placed on King salmon. No live bait was allowed and you could only keep a fish under 20" or over 55". In other words, unless you caught a very immature fish, or a trophy fish, you were going to have to release it. You couldn't even take the fish out of the net. I was ready to go halibut fishing again, but high winds were forecast, and after yesterday, Mike thought it would be miserable to go back out in Cook Inlet. So...even though we had the restrictions, we went King salmon fishing on the Kenai river.
The river is glacial runoff and a very pretty shade of green. We launched the boat around 6 a.m. and trolled the river in Mike's secret spots... ;) and about an hour into the morning, I got a strike. Mike is a good teacher...let the fish run with the line...make sure you keep the line taunt...tire him out. I would think I had him...get him close to the boat, and then he would take out more line and we would do the whole process all over again. The fight was about 15 minutes long, and he finally gave up and Mike netted him alongside the boat. He estimated the weight to be about 45 pounds. Flat Stanley took a good look at him and told me, "Okay, let's let him go and come back in two years and catch him when he weighs 75 pounds.". Sounds good to me.
We didn't see any King salmon caught on the river that were keepers, though there may have been a Sockeye or two caught. We saw Bald eagles and at one point, a female moose lumbered down into the river and swam across. You might think they are such big, clumsy animals t they would have a hard time swimming, but she made good time getting across the strong current.
Fishing for King salmon was a lot easier than the fishing I did yesterday for halibut. There were no swells, and the boat was not rocking and rolling. Mike would run the boat up to one of his favorite spots and we would drop the line into the water with a shiny, spinning jigger maybe a foot from the hook. A little farther up the line was a weight. The line would stretch out behind the boat in the current and that spinning jigger...designed to make the fish mad...would tempt them to bite at it to get it out of their way. That said, it CAN be cold on the river...we were all bundled up pretty good, and I noticed my fishing mates all took a nap at some point during the morning. I had on a hat that Mike's sister Becky had knit for me...I absolutely love it!
In the next few days, I will post a couple more times to wrap up this adventure. It is over...I am home, chillin' and watching a Mariners game. The Rodriguez has been put together and I have sorted through my mountain of mail. I didn't ride for three days, and that was long enough...I'm back in the saddle and loving it.
Maybe you can't...because you won't...
The river is glacial runoff and a very pretty shade of green. We launched the boat around 6 a.m. and trolled the river in Mike's secret spots... ;) and about an hour into the morning, I got a strike. Mike is a good teacher...let the fish run with the line...make sure you keep the line taunt...tire him out. I would think I had him...get him close to the boat, and then he would take out more line and we would do the whole process all over again. The fight was about 15 minutes long, and he finally gave up and Mike netted him alongside the boat. He estimated the weight to be about 45 pounds. Flat Stanley took a good look at him and told me, "Okay, let's let him go and come back in two years and catch him when he weighs 75 pounds.". Sounds good to me.
We didn't see any King salmon caught on the river that were keepers, though there may have been a Sockeye or two caught. We saw Bald eagles and at one point, a female moose lumbered down into the river and swam across. You might think they are such big, clumsy animals t they would have a hard time swimming, but she made good time getting across the strong current.
Fishing for King salmon was a lot easier than the fishing I did yesterday for halibut. There were no swells, and the boat was not rocking and rolling. Mike would run the boat up to one of his favorite spots and we would drop the line into the water with a shiny, spinning jigger maybe a foot from the hook. A little farther up the line was a weight. The line would stretch out behind the boat in the current and that spinning jigger...designed to make the fish mad...would tempt them to bite at it to get it out of their way. That said, it CAN be cold on the river...we were all bundled up pretty good, and I noticed my fishing mates all took a nap at some point during the morning. I had on a hat that Mike's sister Becky had knit for me...I absolutely love it!
In the next few days, I will post a couple more times to wrap up this adventure. It is over...I am home, chillin' and watching a Mariners game. The Rodriguez has been put together and I have sorted through my mountain of mail. I didn't ride for three days, and that was long enough...I'm back in the saddle and loving it.
Maybe you can't...because you won't...
Fishing-Day 1
I think some people expected me to be sad that I wasn't going to be up at the crack of dawn this morning, eager to ride. I assure you, it wasn't the case. I was pretty happy to get up at the crack of dawn and head out with Mike, Jerilue's husband, to go halibut fishing on the Cook Inlet. I borrowed rain gear and some extra fleece and climbed into the boat with 6 guys, an excellent lunch that Jerilue had packed, and my fingers crossed. We sped west about 12 miles, I think, and then dropped anchor.
I had never been halibut fishing, but I was determined to learn quickly. A 4 lb. weight was put on the line, maybe 3' from the hook, and a piece of bait was loaded onto the hook. The line is dropped over the side of the boat and the idea is to get that 4 lb. weight to bounce lightly along the bottom where the halibut were waiting for breakfast. It took me awhile to be able to feel the weight on the bottom. The current is so strong with the tide, that if you don't get the weight to the bottom, your line will just drift along with the current, no where near the bottom, and the fish will never see it, let alone take it.
Several fish were taken by the other guys. I watched. I learned. One poor guy named Monte caught one and then retreated to a place on the boat where he could be sick with some sense of dignity. I'm kidding here...there IS no such place. One fellow from Oklahoma got a bite and his pole was severely doubled over. He thought he had a 100 pound halibut at the other end...he struggled to reel it in and after awhile, Mike took his pole to give him some help. Mike knew it wasn't a halibut but rather an undesirable skate...a large, flat fish that looks somewhat like a manta ray. Because of its size and surface resistance to the water, it took a tremendous amount of effort to reel it in. We also got into some seaweed. It drifted onto our lines and got tangled, so we had to reel in, cutting the seaweed from the line and then redropping the tackle.
As the day wore on, the winds picked up and so did the swells. I was having a hard time watching the water go up and down, up and down. We looked like a bunch of drunks trying to move about the boat. Mike works very hard to captain the boat, baiting hooks, putting the caught fish below, helping to reel in fish if need be, untangling lines, and a million other things. But...I had a bite...and reeled in a nice halibut. Woohoo! I was woozy, but that was fun! Did I want some lunch? Ummmm...no. More bait was put on the hook, the line was dropped over the side, and within 5 minutes, I had another fish on. I reeled the second halibut in and was feeling downright nauseous. I told Mike I might need a break and went to the front of the boat. Would that be fore? Fortunately for me...and everyone else, there was a barf bag right in front of me...and I used it...repeatedly. After 30 more minutes of fishing in which John caught a nice 40 pounder, we had our limit. He too, went to the bow and retched over the side. The water was rough. Everything was put away and we made the 45 minute run back to shore. The ride was so bumpy that Mike joked that he could refer us to a good chiropractor in Soldotna. The boats are launched by large tractors that run the trailers out into the surf and when we came in, the tractor was waiting for Mike to drive the boat right onto the trailer. It is really very efficient. I was feeling fine...the fish were weighed and sent to the processing plant and we headed back to the house.
maybe you can't...because you won't...
I had never been halibut fishing, but I was determined to learn quickly. A 4 lb. weight was put on the line, maybe 3' from the hook, and a piece of bait was loaded onto the hook. The line is dropped over the side of the boat and the idea is to get that 4 lb. weight to bounce lightly along the bottom where the halibut were waiting for breakfast. It took me awhile to be able to feel the weight on the bottom. The current is so strong with the tide, that if you don't get the weight to the bottom, your line will just drift along with the current, no where near the bottom, and the fish will never see it, let alone take it.
Several fish were taken by the other guys. I watched. I learned. One poor guy named Monte caught one and then retreated to a place on the boat where he could be sick with some sense of dignity. I'm kidding here...there IS no such place. One fellow from Oklahoma got a bite and his pole was severely doubled over. He thought he had a 100 pound halibut at the other end...he struggled to reel it in and after awhile, Mike took his pole to give him some help. Mike knew it wasn't a halibut but rather an undesirable skate...a large, flat fish that looks somewhat like a manta ray. Because of its size and surface resistance to the water, it took a tremendous amount of effort to reel it in. We also got into some seaweed. It drifted onto our lines and got tangled, so we had to reel in, cutting the seaweed from the line and then redropping the tackle.
As the day wore on, the winds picked up and so did the swells. I was having a hard time watching the water go up and down, up and down. We looked like a bunch of drunks trying to move about the boat. Mike works very hard to captain the boat, baiting hooks, putting the caught fish below, helping to reel in fish if need be, untangling lines, and a million other things. But...I had a bite...and reeled in a nice halibut. Woohoo! I was woozy, but that was fun! Did I want some lunch? Ummmm...no. More bait was put on the hook, the line was dropped over the side, and within 5 minutes, I had another fish on. I reeled the second halibut in and was feeling downright nauseous. I told Mike I might need a break and went to the front of the boat. Would that be fore? Fortunately for me...and everyone else, there was a barf bag right in front of me...and I used it...repeatedly. After 30 more minutes of fishing in which John caught a nice 40 pounder, we had our limit. He too, went to the bow and retched over the side. The water was rough. Everything was put away and we made the 45 minute run back to shore. The ride was so bumpy that Mike joked that he could refer us to a good chiropractor in Soldotna. The boats are launched by large tractors that run the trailers out into the surf and when we came in, the tractor was waiting for Mike to drive the boat right onto the trailer. It is really very efficient. I was feeling fine...the fish were weighed and sent to the processing plant and we headed back to the house.
maybe you can't...because you won't...
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Alaska---"The only plane in Nootsak belonged to a part-time bush pilot, gambler, and real estate tycoon named Rosie Little. While we were negotiating our deal, he introduced me to this drink that he'd invented. Known locally as "Moose Juice," it consisted of equal parts Moose brand beer and ethyl alcohol. Before I knew it, my old fear of flying evaporated and I spent all the money I had left...on 24 cases of beer."
I arrived in Anchorage around 10 p.m. and Liz's cousins Joel and Kristine picked me up. They were awesome...set me up in the garage with a place to put together my bike, fed me salmon and rice, filled me in on the weather forecast, gave me a nice, warm bed, and best of all, promised me a 5:30 start to Girdwood in the morning. Thank you both so very much for your generosity and hospitality. I had the bike put together and the blog updated by midnight and was asleep by 12:03. Seriously...
And 5:00 came mighty early. I ate a banana and we were off. We saw two moose alongside the road on the way to Girdwood...very, very cool. A cyclist from Soldotna had contacted me about riding along on today's ride. Kjell is a very fit Norwegian, and the poor guy got out of bed at 3:30 this morning to ride...and his poorer wife got up at the same time to drop him off and then head back to Soldotna. He had on tights, booties, and several layers of jerseys...I had on sandals, shorts, a short-sleeved jersey, and a thin windbreaker. I was woefully underdressed.
We headed south along Highway 1 and the riding was excellent, albeit cold. A few miles into the ride Kjell had a flat. He urged me to go on (it was the only way to stay warm) and said that he would catch up to me. I didn't feel right about leaving him, and within a few minutes, got a phone cll from him. "Did you bring a pump?" I did...and turned around to take it back to him. His CO2 dispenser had lost a screw and was not working.
After the flat was fixed, we climbed Turnagain Pass, and then Summit Lake Pass...two good climbs. We picked up a rider east of Cooper Landing and she rode a few miles with us before all three of us stopped for breakfast. Kimberly is an Alabama transplant who now lives in Soldotna and works as a nurse. She and I ordered pancakes, and now I am savvy enough to ask, "How big are your pancakes?" I ordered two, and couldn't finish them, but I was fueled to ride.
Alaska is...big. I know Texans think everything is big in Texas, but that is only because they haven't been to Alaska. The mountains rise with majesty and you feel insignificant in comparison. We paralleled the Kenai River, which was this beautiful blue-green color. I doubt the pictures will do it justice.
We picked up several more riders in Sterling...Margaret, Lay, Jeff, and Tony. I had estimated the distance from Girdwood to Soldotna to be 105 miles, but I was wrong...it is 110. How do I know? Just so happens, Kjell also uses a Garmin. I ended the day with 110 miles, 3642' of elevation gain, and an average of around 14. When we were riding through Sterling, I asked Kjell if we had 100 miles. "99.7," he answered. Someone had placed yellow signs along the road cheering me on. It made me smile. We kept riding until we reached the Visitor's Center in Soldotna, where Jerilue was waiting with some of her friends.
I reveled in the moment. I had finished what I had set out to do and was ready to be done. I showered at Jerilue's and sat down to a wonderful meal of moose lasagne. And tomorrow, I am NOT going to ride...tomorrow I am going to fish...just for the halibut.
And 5:00 came mighty early. I ate a banana and we were off. We saw two moose alongside the road on the way to Girdwood...very, very cool. A cyclist from Soldotna had contacted me about riding along on today's ride. Kjell is a very fit Norwegian, and the poor guy got out of bed at 3:30 this morning to ride...and his poorer wife got up at the same time to drop him off and then head back to Soldotna. He had on tights, booties, and several layers of jerseys...I had on sandals, shorts, a short-sleeved jersey, and a thin windbreaker. I was woefully underdressed.
We headed south along Highway 1 and the riding was excellent, albeit cold. A few miles into the ride Kjell had a flat. He urged me to go on (it was the only way to stay warm) and said that he would catch up to me. I didn't feel right about leaving him, and within a few minutes, got a phone cll from him. "Did you bring a pump?" I did...and turned around to take it back to him. His CO2 dispenser had lost a screw and was not working.
After the flat was fixed, we climbed Turnagain Pass, and then Summit Lake Pass...two good climbs. We picked up a rider east of Cooper Landing and she rode a few miles with us before all three of us stopped for breakfast. Kimberly is an Alabama transplant who now lives in Soldotna and works as a nurse. She and I ordered pancakes, and now I am savvy enough to ask, "How big are your pancakes?" I ordered two, and couldn't finish them, but I was fueled to ride.
Alaska is...big. I know Texans think everything is big in Texas, but that is only because they haven't been to Alaska. The mountains rise with majesty and you feel insignificant in comparison. We paralleled the Kenai River, which was this beautiful blue-green color. I doubt the pictures will do it justice.
We picked up several more riders in Sterling...Margaret, Lay, Jeff, and Tony. I had estimated the distance from Girdwood to Soldotna to be 105 miles, but I was wrong...it is 110. How do I know? Just so happens, Kjell also uses a Garmin. I ended the day with 110 miles, 3642' of elevation gain, and an average of around 14. When we were riding through Sterling, I asked Kjell if we had 100 miles. "99.7," he answered. Someone had placed yellow signs along the road cheering me on. It made me smile. We kept riding until we reached the Visitor's Center in Soldotna, where Jerilue was waiting with some of her friends.
I reveled in the moment. I had finished what I had set out to do and was ready to be done. I showered at Jerilue's and sat down to a wonderful meal of moose lasagne. And tomorrow, I am NOT going to ride...tomorrow I am going to fish...just for the halibut.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Washington---"Well...I'm gonna get out of bed every morning...breathe in and out all day long. Then, after a while I won't have to remind myself to get out of bed and breathe in and out...and then after a while, I won't have to think about how I had it great and perfect for a while."
Jeremy and Co. were up at 4 and gone by 4:30. I left a little after 5. I had planned a very urban century for today...people from my local bike club will be riding with me...and I will be riding on familiar roads. I was as ecstatic as an introverted cyclist can get.
I had a two mile downhill to start the day, and then rode west along the old Evergreen Highway. At 18 miles, I rolled up to Panera Bread, a favorite starting spot for many of our club rides. There were, perhaps, 20 people who showed up to say "hi" and ride with me. Great fun...with great friends.
Much of my route included roads which I ride everyday...to get groceries, to go to the dentist, or library, or have lunch with a friend. We stopped at my house, and though I had considered bowing down to kiss the porch, I didn't. :) My housemate Clare had made some killer banana nut bread along with some fruit and other snacks for our little group. It was so sweet of her...she is a gem. We picked up other riders along the way, and some riders had to peel off, but it was great fun to see everyone! I have missed my biking buddies!
I ended the day at my parent's house. My dad is 89, and my mom is 85, and they still live by themselves and do all of their own yard work. They are amazing.
I ate, showered, and Liz took me to the airport. I realized at some point, that I didn't have my Garmin with me. After being so careful for 49 days, I had forgotten it. Blast. I will not know what my average is, and I will not know how much elevation gain there is, but you can bank on one thing...tomorrow...in Alaska...I will ride 100 miles.
maybe you can't...because you won't...
I had a two mile downhill to start the day, and then rode west along the old Evergreen Highway. At 18 miles, I rolled up to Panera Bread, a favorite starting spot for many of our club rides. There were, perhaps, 20 people who showed up to say "hi" and ride with me. Great fun...with great friends.
Much of my route included roads which I ride everyday...to get groceries, to go to the dentist, or library, or have lunch with a friend. We stopped at my house, and though I had considered bowing down to kiss the porch, I didn't. :) My housemate Clare had made some killer banana nut bread along with some fruit and other snacks for our little group. It was so sweet of her...she is a gem. We picked up other riders along the way, and some riders had to peel off, but it was great fun to see everyone! I have missed my biking buddies!
I ended the day at my parent's house. My dad is 89, and my mom is 85, and they still live by themselves and do all of their own yard work. They are amazing.
I ate, showered, and Liz took me to the airport. I realized at some point, that I didn't have my Garmin with me. After being so careful for 49 days, I had forgotten it. Blast. I will not know what my average is, and I will not know how much elevation gain there is, but you can bank on one thing...tomorrow...in Alaska...I will ride 100 miles.
maybe you can't...because you won't...
Oregon---"OK! I'll talk! In third grade, I cheated on my history exam, in fourth grade, I stole my Uncle Max's toupee and I glued it on my face when I was Moses in my Hebrew school play. In fifth grade, I knocked my sister Edie down the stairs and I blamed it on the dog..."
The weather forecast called for the mercury to hit 106 in Boardman, and that's where we were headed, so we were up at 4 and riding by 4:45. The first 13 miles took us back into Milton-Freewater, and then we rode south on Highway 11. We saw several deer in the early morning light, but the red fox we saw was a special treat. I'm afraid we interrupted his breakfast hunt. There were also quail skittering under the bushes along the roadside, and two female pheasants that sailed across the road in front of us. Bill would have loved it...he used to bird hunt in Eastern Oregon.
We went through Athena, Helix, and Holdman, riding over checkerboarded fields of wheat, alfalfa, and good ol' Oregon dirt. It was beautiful and contained two good climbs and then healthy rollers. When we came over a roller at 45 miles or so, we saw the Columbia River in all of its majesty. Can home be far away?
We turned west onto Highway 730 and rode through Umatilla and Irrigon. I have ridden in the gorge many times and it was not the extreme heat that I feared...it was the wind. It is not uncommon to see 30 m.p.h. west winds in the gorge. The fellow who designed Karen's Bonelocker Bike Rack had intended to do some windsurfing in Hood River and he was going to meet us today in Boardman. He cancelled his trip because there wasn't going to be a lot of wind. Bad for him, but good for us. We finished the day by riding about 16 miles on I-84. It wasn't the most pleasant riding, but there was a rumble strip and a wide shoulder and we were finished by 11:59. I had 100.5 miles, an average of 15.4 and 2197' of elevation gain.
I thought about stopping in the Dalles to get a cinnamon roll at Cousin's Restaurant...best cinnamon rolls I have ever had...but I didn't want to take the time. There is a great ice cream place in Cascade Locks, but when I saw the line of 20 people waiting to be served, I didn't want to stop. Ten years ago I turned 50...it was truly my "year of jubilee"...one daughter got married, and Bill and I had our first grandchild. Today...Jackson turned 10, and all of my kids...all of my grand kids were going to be there to celebrate. There were going to be BBQ ribs, corn on the cob, coleslaw, watermelon, fresh cherries and apricots, and crafted beer. I couldn't get there fast enough.
Karen and Laura dropped me off in Washougal and I soaked up some family. Oh, how I have missed them! I have had trouble answering people when they ask me why I am doing this...it seems almost silly at times. But I watch my own kids living large, dreaming big, and sucking the marrow out of life, and I.love.that.
I spent the night at my son's house in Washougal. He and his family are leaving first thing in the morning for Yellowstone. It was a late night for me...Liz was kind enough to bring me my bike box and visit while I took the Rodriguez apart and packed it in its case. We put it back in her van where it will be waiting for me to finish tomorrow's ride...
maybe you can't...because you won't...
We went through Athena, Helix, and Holdman, riding over checkerboarded fields of wheat, alfalfa, and good ol' Oregon dirt. It was beautiful and contained two good climbs and then healthy rollers. When we came over a roller at 45 miles or so, we saw the Columbia River in all of its majesty. Can home be far away?
We turned west onto Highway 730 and rode through Umatilla and Irrigon. I have ridden in the gorge many times and it was not the extreme heat that I feared...it was the wind. It is not uncommon to see 30 m.p.h. west winds in the gorge. The fellow who designed Karen's Bonelocker Bike Rack had intended to do some windsurfing in Hood River and he was going to meet us today in Boardman. He cancelled his trip because there wasn't going to be a lot of wind. Bad for him, but good for us. We finished the day by riding about 16 miles on I-84. It wasn't the most pleasant riding, but there was a rumble strip and a wide shoulder and we were finished by 11:59. I had 100.5 miles, an average of 15.4 and 2197' of elevation gain.
I thought about stopping in the Dalles to get a cinnamon roll at Cousin's Restaurant...best cinnamon rolls I have ever had...but I didn't want to take the time. There is a great ice cream place in Cascade Locks, but when I saw the line of 20 people waiting to be served, I didn't want to stop. Ten years ago I turned 50...it was truly my "year of jubilee"...one daughter got married, and Bill and I had our first grandchild. Today...Jackson turned 10, and all of my kids...all of my grand kids were going to be there to celebrate. There were going to be BBQ ribs, corn on the cob, coleslaw, watermelon, fresh cherries and apricots, and crafted beer. I couldn't get there fast enough.
Karen and Laura dropped me off in Washougal and I soaked up some family. Oh, how I have missed them! I have had trouble answering people when they ask me why I am doing this...it seems almost silly at times. But I watch my own kids living large, dreaming big, and sucking the marrow out of life, and I.love.that.
I spent the night at my son's house in Washougal. He and his family are leaving first thing in the morning for Yellowstone. It was a late night for me...Liz was kind enough to bring me my bike box and visit while I took the Rodriguez apart and packed it in its case. We put it back in her van where it will be waiting for me to finish tomorrow's ride...
maybe you can't...because you won't...
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