Apples and Bananas: Longview to Lewis & Clark

Note: Posted today Sept 2nd but written yesterday Sept 1st

Instead of rows upon row of banana in SE Asia, I now get apples! All he apples I could ever eat in fact (just watch out for worms and earwigs).

   

Another day under my belt. Rain reared its ugly head this morning but after some prided spitting it decided to call it quits and let the sun take over. Was cooler than the 75F day yesterday, had to unpack the windbreaker and knee warmers. Much quieter roads today, very pleasant, and gorgeous lush wooded scenery to go along with that; a good day of riding. My legs are still quite sore, simply getting acclimated to distance riding again I hope, so I ended the day with a mere 45 miles on the clock and pulled into Lewis and Clark campground north of Toldeo, WA (holy toldeo!).

Stopped in a town called Vader (lolStarWars) that must’ve had but a hundred maybe two on its population tally. Old city too, established 18…something something, forgot..but its old. Asked around for a place to eat and was pointed to the lone joint in town just over the railroad tracks. Cutest little country diner with a sweetheart of a waitress. I fell love with the place instantly and that was before this glorious meal was placed before me:

HUGE pancakes. I had dreamed of pancakes the whole ride in but never expected something as wondrous as this.

Starting to notice a fewww slight differences from the last tour. I can start my riding any time of the day: no more waking up before dawn to beat the heat. Very welcome is the ubiquitous cell reception I get while riding and more importantly, data capabilities on my phone for loading up Google Maps, what a god send that is! I can also easily keep in touch with all my friends which definitely brightens up the day also. Dogs are still not the friendliest of creatures while riding but at least I don’t get chased here (…yet). English, a language which I’m much more familiar with than Thai, Khmer or Malay is the prime communication tool, makes the going a bit easier. I can fill up my water bottle anywhere, free clean drinking water, we definitely take that for granted in this country.

I’m bundled up in my tent writing this out, it will be posted tomorrow. I setup camp when I got in and took what I think was the coldest shower known to man. Supposed to be rain tonight so I have the rain fly cinched tightly on and surprisingly fit all my bags and bike under its protection.

Plans for tomorrow or somewhat of an unknown. Ill look over the map at breakfast. I think I’d like to take 101 to the coast and hop on a ferry ideally to Seattle. Riding into Olympia and then the stretch between it and Seattle doesn’t seem that enjoyable. Something will work though, always does.

02.Sep.09 West Coast Tour