From Manzanita to Lincoln City to Bandon and now in Brookings, OR, just north of the CA border.
Trying to fill in the gaps a bit from the past several days. Will try not put a revisionist spin on things :o) After 6 days, everything's a little blurry; the days kinda run together. Having a hard time remembering exactly where we are or exactly what day we're on.
The Oregon Coast has captivated my heart. Breathtaking views, gasps of awe, delight at each bend and turn in the road. Speeding along the coast, soaking in the sunlight (in between the rolling fog), a Chris Tomlinson cd as the musical backdrop, doesn't get better than this.
Trying to do as much RDI as possible. (That's for you Sherri :o) )
Meeting people along the way. Marty and Jordan have been meeting fellow bikers. The biker guy Bova who shared snacks with them. The prof from Berkley. Sometimes they meet fellow bikers as they are chugging up a big hill. They manage full conversations; by the time they summit the hill, they are BFFs. Something about guys bonding through physical pain, eh?
The nice family from Chico, Matt and his family, whom we shared a table with in Florence. The barrista at Starbucks from WA who'd just moved to Oregon. First Starbucks coffee since leaving Seattle! And it was very, very good. The mom in Lincoln City who was looking for coffee at 6 am in the lobby --same as me. Our wild dune buggy driver Dave. We left them with words of blessing, "God bless you"...but remembering how Wade and Dara are so consistent to share not only a blessing but the promise of prayer, wanting to keep that in mind and put it into action....
Day 7. Beautiful morning. Bikers off to an early start, Martin and I had plans to go walk (our RDI time, co-regulation) to the post office, then fly kites at the beach, (more RDI 'we-go' ) stuff. Trying to squeeze journaling time to our RDI therapist here on the blog.
Got a call from the dynamic duo. They were cruising along and nailed 20+ miles in near record time--but somehow out on those bike routes, they got turned around and ended up heading NORTH again. Martin and I found them under a Dairy Queen sign on highway 26. Shoulda taken a picture.
Once the duo got turned around in the right direction, SOUTH, Martin and I got to Tillamook and did the cheese tour. Pretty cool. For some reason, watching all the workers in white coats and clear plastic shower caps made me think of Oompa Loompas from Charlie's Chocolate Factory. Then we did the animal petting farm at the Blue Heron Cheese Store, lots of time petting animals. Counting all the birds, (more RDI).
Met up with the bike crew in Lincoln City. Within minutes of pulling into our camp site at Devil's Lake, Jordan barfed in the bushes. At first, thought it was the combination of Nachos, beef jerky, half bag of Tillamook cheese curds and the OJ he scarfed down. After biking all day Jordan pretty ravenous. But a little while later, started feeling a wave of nausea welling up inside me. Whether it was a combination of watching Jordan throw up as I rubbed his back or the foul-smelling pieces of wood--treated wood?-- that the neighbors across the way were burning, definitely not a Kodak moment. Since then, the smell of smoke triggers a pavlovian reaction in me. Think I am truly allergic to camping.
We checked into a hotel that night in Lincoln City. A very nice hotel...the back door opened right onto the beach. Only drawback, lousy internet connection.
Day 8. Layover. Another morning run (shuffle) on the beach. We are in Lincoln City during the International Kite Festival. Was wondering why there were so many gigantic kites outside our hotel room. The hotel has a nice pool and a jacuzzi where Marty soaked his entire body. He's gradually getting stronger. Not as many body parts hurting all at once.
One more evening in this nice hotel. Ah-h-h-h.
Day 9. Jordan and Marty off on a 79 miler day. Off to a good early start. Martin and I packed up the final pieces of luggage into the sag wagon and went off looking for the Vineyard Church which was suppose to be really close to the hotel. For some reason this reminded me of that scene from one of the Star Trek movies, you know, the one with the whales. It's the scene where Chekov and Uhura are looking for the 'nucler wessel'. Went and asked the front desk where the Vineyard Church was, but he couldn't tell me. Don't know why I blurted out, "You don't go to church do you?" He looked at me and said that he works on Sunday, that sorry, he couldn't help. I thanked him and said that I hoped he would look for an evening service. Next tried the farmer's market across the street. Asked one of the artisans "Where is the Vineyard Church?" She seemed annoyed and told me she didn't know. Next I pulled into the Devil's Lake Campsite which was also nearby and asked the three rangers in the booth. "Where is the Vineyard Church?" They didn't know but one said to try up the hill a ways. Found it just in time for worship.
Really the first time of worshipping somewhere different. Been at NW for so long. The church was small, about 25 people. But the music, worship was moving and praise-filled. Was teary-eyed for most of service. The preaching minister, the teaching minister were on vacation, so the morning sermon was delivered by a young man. The message was simple, but evoked the teachings of Brother Lawrence, he of the pots and pans. The young man reminded us of how quick the Israelites were in agreeing with what Moses said, but how just as quick they were to go off and do something completely different. Ouch.
Different worship. Ok, for those of you who are more accustomed to worshipping at different places, someone email me (soomarty@msn.com) and explain the flag-waving thing. That was 'different'.
Martin and I stopped and visited the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Rendevous at Honeyman State Park with the Dynamic Duo.
Day 10. Layover at Honeyman State Park. Nice morning run. By the time we hit Humboldt State Park in CA for the next camping two nighter, think my inner camping weenie will be fully emergent and engaged.
Went and played mini-golf. Little too much for Martin, too much dynamic uncertainty. Then we went on a wild 'Dune ride. Wild, fun, pretty amazing. Nothing like a vertical drop from the top of a sand dune to put a little perspective back into your life. Quite zen-like afterwards. Wow. We were shaking sand out of every nook, cranny for two days after. Between the wind and the flying sand, think I actually got a nice facial exfoliation. By day 10, the make-up is put away. Too much hassle. (I can hear Alice gasping all the way from CA)
Back to campsite for one more night. What is it about camping that prompts people to pay to live in third-world conditions?
Day 11. From Honeyman to Bandon. Hotel. :o) Went running. Three consecutive days of biking without layovers coming up. Jordan and Marty pumping up those miles. 73 miles today. Martin and I left camp, took care of business--grocery, laundry, etc. Then we hit a movie, Indiana Jones in Northbend. Kinda cool being the only people in the theater. Tickets were cheaper here than Seattle, also popcorn too. Nice.
Day 12 (Wed). 81 miles for the bikers. The second highest peak today. They made good time. Marty gaining more strength as he goes. Jordan is an animal out there. Part of me as a mom realizes that once we return, he is going to be different. That need for Adventure, less contentment with a 'small' life.
Martin and I checked out the Animal Wildlife Safari Park or something like that. All kinds of animals to pet, to look at.
Met up with the duo for lunch in Gold Beach. Afterwards, Martin and I checked out the bookstore. Pretty amazing collection of first-editions. Also, quite a nice gallery of local artists. There were a couple of pieces that were really appealing, but wouldn't be able to explain to Marty how I went in for coffee and came out with three paintings. Nice bookstore--books, coffee, art, lilting baroque music in the background.
Hotel in Brookings. :o) None of us can move, vegging out on Spongebob.
Tomorrow, crossing over into CA. 84 miles for the bike crew.
Thank you for all your prayers. Keep praying.
Our hearts are heavy and hurting after we read an update on little Jenna back in Seattle who has battled cancer for most of her five years of life. Our entire church breathed a collective sigh when we heard her cancer was 'gone'. During reconstructive surgery this past week, the doctors discovered a golfball-sized cancerous tumor. If there was ever a time when this family needs to know His love, it's now. So please, if you would send up a prayer for them, it's greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Soo
Brooking, OR
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