Off to Honduras
We're using Spirit Airlines. I like the name and it's cheap. To avoid baggage fees, I got everything I'd need for 2 weeks into a small knapsack. You can do it! I had to discipline myself to wash out some of my clothes every night. Another money saving idea is packing a lunch and bringing a few breakfast bars and tea-bags.
We got to San Pedro Sulas, no problem and after some nervous minutes waiting I spied Frank and Don outside. We got into a 10 passenger van with Aida, our translator from our last trip, and Wuina (Winny), our driver. We hit the road for Siguatepeque, about 2-3 hours away.
The road's much better than it used to be. They've been widening and straightening it over the past several years to make what the call a "concrete canal" from the Pacific to the Atlantic. I also noticed more toll gates and fewer donkey carts. Maybe poor folks have to go around...
It's hot! Still it seems more like home every time we come down. We're staying closer to downtown Sigua... a lot of people are out just as the sun comes down and it's cooler. We found a supermarket with a restaurant that seems to be a hangout, "La Corral". I took the opportunity to familiarize myself with local veggies like pataste and ayote (squash-like), yucca ( a root), camote (a hard squash). I also inspected all the herbal teas: tile (linden), manzanita (comfrey), jamaica (hibiscus) , zacata, etc. We met up with Norma, the first head of Agros in Hond. She continues to work with poor farmers in the area, with a micro-loan program that helps them pay for things like fertilizer. We're hoping she can expand her ministry to help our friends at Nuevo Amanecer.
The following day we made a trip to nearby Comayagua, where we connected with the family of a Honduran refugee who stayed at our house in Seattle . It was great meeting his mom, his brother, and little niece. At the same time Frank saw someone from the back. "I know that guy!" he thought. It turned out to be Juan Lopez, the first president of NA, who'd left the village about 10 years ago!
More Later...
Monday, May 15, 2017
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Gil and Jane kayaking the Columbia. Wed 8/17/16 Scapoose Bay to Sand Island
Hi again!
We put the kayak in at Scapoose Bay Marine Park. The staff at the Kayak Center were super helpful with suggestions for paddle trips and they had a good map for sale (one used by fishermen that included tips on where to catch fish). We started out on a slack tide moving to a flood tide. We hadn't figured on the stiff wind that we ran into as we left the bay and moved into the Multnomah Channel. We took a break on a little beach to renew our strength. Lots of osprey along the way. They take advantage of dead trees, pilings, abandoned cranes and towers that offer safe nest sites and river view-points. It seemed they'd bought up all the waterfront we passed. Good fishing, I bet. I noticed that they used whatever was handy to build their aeries: rushes, branches, even old plastic bags. We got used to their high pitched complaining cry: cri-cri-cri-cri-cri!
Finally the town of St Helen's came into view. Opposite the town there is an island built from dredging the river and channel over the years. It's name is as you might suspect, Sand Island. Over time a forest of cotton-woods has grown up. St. Helens has built a park there and there are several campsites for travelers. After pulling the kayak up on the beach, I ventured a short ways up the beach until I encountered a wicked burr which I have named Harpoon Hooks. It was the fiercest name I could come up with for this weed that won't let go without tearing holes in your skin. They seem to have taken a foothold with all the other plant colonists on the west side of the island.
The paddle from St Helens is very short and it seems that homeless camp here, too. It is a well built camp ground with a dock, tables, metal fire-pits, and vault toilets. No water, but that's something you have to expect when you visit islands and we always carry several gallons when we're paddling. Tomorrow our plan is to paddle to St Helens for our morning coffee. Good Night All!
We put the kayak in at Scapoose Bay Marine Park. The staff at the Kayak Center were super helpful with suggestions for paddle trips and they had a good map for sale (one used by fishermen that included tips on where to catch fish). We started out on a slack tide moving to a flood tide. We hadn't figured on the stiff wind that we ran into as we left the bay and moved into the Multnomah Channel. We took a break on a little beach to renew our strength. Lots of osprey along the way. They take advantage of dead trees, pilings, abandoned cranes and towers that offer safe nest sites and river view-points. It seemed they'd bought up all the waterfront we passed. Good fishing, I bet. I noticed that they used whatever was handy to build their aeries: rushes, branches, even old plastic bags. We got used to their high pitched complaining cry: cri-cri-cri-cri-cri!
Finally the town of St Helen's came into view. Opposite the town there is an island built from dredging the river and channel over the years. It's name is as you might suspect, Sand Island. Over time a forest of cotton-woods has grown up. St. Helens has built a park there and there are several campsites for travelers. After pulling the kayak up on the beach, I ventured a short ways up the beach until I encountered a wicked burr which I have named Harpoon Hooks. It was the fiercest name I could come up with for this weed that won't let go without tearing holes in your skin. They seem to have taken a foothold with all the other plant colonists on the west side of the island.
The paddle from St Helens is very short and it seems that homeless camp here, too. It is a well built camp ground with a dock, tables, metal fire-pits, and vault toilets. No water, but that's something you have to expect when you visit islands and we always carry several gallons when we're paddling. Tomorrow our plan is to paddle to St Helens for our morning coffee. Good Night All!
Sunday, October 16, 2016
Kayaking on the Columbia with Gil and Jane 8/10/16
Hi There!
Shortly after returning home from my Oregon adventure, I was back on the road, this time driving south on I-5 with a 20 ft kayak on the roof. Jane had been helping a friend move from La Grande OR to Idaho Falls ID, and thanks to a generous new friend, who gave her a bonus certificate, was flying to meet me in Portland. Just as I came rolling into the Arrivals Pick-up, there was Jane. I must say, I was really glad to see her smiling face.
Soon we were on the road to Sauvie Island , the biggest island in the Columbia, several miles north of Portland on Hwy 30. This would be our first time kayaking on the Columbia. Sauvie Island is home to the massive Ridgefield wildlife reserve and at the same time it is a major farming area, supplying vegetables and fruits to metropolitan Portland. That first day we surveyed the island, first checking out the Multnomah channel, which runs along it's east side, and noting launch sites and potential campsites/picnic spots we could make use of. Two good launch sites included the Hadley Dock at the end of Ferry Rd. not far from the Sauvie Island Bridge and the Gilbert River boat launch at the far north end of Sauvie. Here I'd like to mention two good resources that I used: the website of the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership and the book " the Lewis and Clark Columbia River Water Trail " by Hay. Sauvie Island is very popular with cyclists, but the roads are narrow with no paved shoulders and the speed limits are too high, 45 mph plus. If you do cycle pick low traffic and daylight hours.
We were both a little tired from all our rushing around, so we hunted for a nearby campsite, which we found a little north and west just off Hwy 30 near Scapoose ( Indian for 'gravel'). It was a little county park "Scapoose Co. RV park". It cost $20/night to tent and the host let us put our tent wherever we wanted. Free hot water showers, too. It was next to the co. airport, and unfortunately, a large development was going in down the road with gravel trucks starting up early in the AM. Well... time to get some rest. See you in the morning.
Shortly after returning home from my Oregon adventure, I was back on the road, this time driving south on I-5 with a 20 ft kayak on the roof. Jane had been helping a friend move from La Grande OR to Idaho Falls ID, and thanks to a generous new friend, who gave her a bonus certificate, was flying to meet me in Portland. Just as I came rolling into the Arrivals Pick-up, there was Jane. I must say, I was really glad to see her smiling face.
Soon we were on the road to Sauvie Island , the biggest island in the Columbia, several miles north of Portland on Hwy 30. This would be our first time kayaking on the Columbia. Sauvie Island is home to the massive Ridgefield wildlife reserve and at the same time it is a major farming area, supplying vegetables and fruits to metropolitan Portland. That first day we surveyed the island, first checking out the Multnomah channel, which runs along it's east side, and noting launch sites and potential campsites/picnic spots we could make use of. Two good launch sites included the Hadley Dock at the end of Ferry Rd. not far from the Sauvie Island Bridge and the Gilbert River boat launch at the far north end of Sauvie. Here I'd like to mention two good resources that I used: the website of the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership and the book " the Lewis and Clark Columbia River Water Trail " by Hay. Sauvie Island is very popular with cyclists, but the roads are narrow with no paved shoulders and the speed limits are too high, 45 mph plus. If you do cycle pick low traffic and daylight hours.
We were both a little tired from all our rushing around, so we hunted for a nearby campsite, which we found a little north and west just off Hwy 30 near Scapoose ( Indian for 'gravel'). It was a little county park "Scapoose Co. RV park". It cost $20/night to tent and the host let us put our tent wherever we wanted. Free hot water showers, too. It was next to the co. airport, and unfortunately, a large development was going in down the road with gravel trucks starting up early in the AM. Well... time to get some rest. See you in the morning.
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Gil's Oregon Trail- Albany, OR cont.
I'm back...
Visited the Santiam-Albany Canal. It's described as a 19th century engineering marvel, first constructed in the 1860's, improved and lengthened over time. It's now 18 miles long. At first it was used more for transportation, but now is used more for power and water.In 2005 a fish ladder was added.
I rode all around Albany: up and down Bryant Road ( part of the northbound Willamett Valley Trail) along the Calapooia River, where restoration efforts are underway. They grow hazelnuts here. The ground is scraped clean of weeds and packed flat. Each tree is surrounded by plastic barriers. I'd like to grow these in Discovery Bay, since the climate is about the same and wild hazelnut grows all around. I need to study up on orchard farming.
I camped out along the river, watched bats flying overhead in the fading evening light. In the morning a woman at the info center helped me out with maps, both historical and current, and I went off on an exploration of local bike routes. At first I checked out the waterfront using the Monteith and Dave Clark trails. I rode down to a Bowman Park, north of the DC trail, then cruised Water,1st, and 2nd Streets. I picked up a thorn, probably while trundling my bike through the brush. No matter, it was an easy fix. I Got breakfast at Pop's Branding Iron, as you'd expect it had a distinctly western flavor and the food was good.
I explored some dirt trail from Bowman Park which ran a couple of miles or more along the Willamet and neighboring oxbow lakes and sloughs. This was quite do-able on my road bike. Then I bumped into a TV reporter, Amber of KVI? Albany. She was doing a story about some caves dug out into the riverbank by homeless people, which the city had decided to demolish for safety reasons. I could sympathize with the difficult circumstances of the homeless, but recognized how caves could be a dangerous attraction to kids. She interviewed me since I'd been there and had an opinion.
I finished out the day riding exploring the Spring? trail and worked my way back to the RR station. I was lamenting the loss of my Camel-back water bottle when suddenly there it was, right beside the pot-hole that had jostled it out of my bag!
I had a short wait til the north-bound train for Seattle arrived. The trip home was one last long scenic movie highlighting the Willamett Valley and the country life. It was a good trip. I covered 466 miles in 10 days, or about 47 miles a day.
Stay tuned. I will be writing about Jane and me paddling the Columbia from 8/16 to 8/22.
Visited the Santiam-Albany Canal. It's described as a 19th century engineering marvel, first constructed in the 1860's, improved and lengthened over time. It's now 18 miles long. At first it was used more for transportation, but now is used more for power and water.In 2005 a fish ladder was added.
I rode all around Albany: up and down Bryant Road ( part of the northbound Willamett Valley Trail) along the Calapooia River, where restoration efforts are underway. They grow hazelnuts here. The ground is scraped clean of weeds and packed flat. Each tree is surrounded by plastic barriers. I'd like to grow these in Discovery Bay, since the climate is about the same and wild hazelnut grows all around. I need to study up on orchard farming.
I camped out along the river, watched bats flying overhead in the fading evening light. In the morning a woman at the info center helped me out with maps, both historical and current, and I went off on an exploration of local bike routes. At first I checked out the waterfront using the Monteith and Dave Clark trails. I rode down to a Bowman Park, north of the DC trail, then cruised Water,1st, and 2nd Streets. I picked up a thorn, probably while trundling my bike through the brush. No matter, it was an easy fix. I Got breakfast at Pop's Branding Iron, as you'd expect it had a distinctly western flavor and the food was good.
I explored some dirt trail from Bowman Park which ran a couple of miles or more along the Willamet and neighboring oxbow lakes and sloughs. This was quite do-able on my road bike. Then I bumped into a TV reporter, Amber of KVI? Albany. She was doing a story about some caves dug out into the riverbank by homeless people, which the city had decided to demolish for safety reasons. I could sympathize with the difficult circumstances of the homeless, but recognized how caves could be a dangerous attraction to kids. She interviewed me since I'd been there and had an opinion.
I finished out the day riding exploring the Spring? trail and worked my way back to the RR station. I was lamenting the loss of my Camel-back water bottle when suddenly there it was, right beside the pot-hole that had jostled it out of my bag!
I had a short wait til the north-bound train for Seattle arrived. The trip home was one last long scenic movie highlighting the Willamett Valley and the country life. It was a good trip. I covered 466 miles in 10 days, or about 47 miles a day.
Stay tuned. I will be writing about Jane and me paddling the Columbia from 8/16 to 8/22.
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Gil's Oregon Trail-Sunday in Corvallis to Albany
Hello Again!
Thought I'd go to church, today. I'm not sure where my friends go, so I picked a Presbyterian Church like my home church back in Seattle.The church was planted by a Presbyterian missionary named John Hannah back in the mid 1800's The text of the sermon was Jesus' visit to John the Baptist. John saw right off who Jesus was. "It's me who needs to be baptized by you!" Jesus insists. He is the reality the Hope stood for. The Messiah has come as a human being. I understood something... that God is enlivening his Word. Not just then but right now! Jesus inhabits his Word. As real as flesh and blood. At that time God gave His stamp by His Spirit: there was the sign of God's Peace, the Dove and there was the voice coming from the Fire ( like the Burning Bush in Moses story) a sign of God's Eternal Presence. Good thoughts to carry with me as I wander in the "wilderness".
I had planned to visit the fair, but sadly I was too late, things had closed down. I've been fortunate, days have been in the 80's, though nights are cold. I think a blanket might be better to carry than my sleeping bag, except for the weight. Maybe a poly-fill 'throw' would work. Vistas very beautiful in the AM, with the sun coming up in the east and everything golden, even the trees are into the golden thing with Fall peering over the mountain ridges. Clouds are moving in and the chance of rain is 20%. I pass the Jackson Frazier wetland, a great place for bird watching. Plants include Bradshaw's Lomatium and Checker Mallow. Queen Anne's Lace is everywhere in the Willamet Valley.
I leave Corvallis by the north and east pedaling into Albany. Sunday's not the best time to arrive in a new town. I couldn't find any shops open, especially bike shops. I missed not having a map. After getting a little frazzled, I decided to slow down. A blackberry sundae at the Mr Freeze helped immensely, I recommend it. I started cruising up and down the streets of old Albany looking at old, old houses, kind of like Port Townsend, but more of them. I roamed Bryant Park which spreads across both sides of the Willamett. I sat on a picnic bench and listened to a Mexican Oompah band, playing for a private barbeque. Then there were the ducks, almost doing head-stands with their rear-ends in the air, while they dabbled for vegetation. More later...
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Gil's Oregon Trail- Riding around Corvallis
Hi all! Today my plan is to ride around Corvallis, home to Oregon St. University and one of the most bike friendly towns in the US. I learned that this area, part of the Mary's Creek watershed, was long ago home to the Kalapuyans. They burned forest to make places for Camas Lily, deer, and elk, which they lived on. Years later around the early 1800's fur-trappers working for the Hudson's Bay Company arruved. At first the whites only wanted to trade for beaver skins, but then they decided they wanted their land. In 1834 came the Indian Trade and Intercourse Act. Then in 1850 The Willamett Valley Treaty. In 1851 the Kalapuya were asked to leave. "Never! Never! We do not wish to leave our Country!" said Daboe, a Luckiamutes head-man. " We wish to remain, our fathers, our families, and our friends are buried here." said Scho-la-que of the Mary's River clan. Despite their protests, they were moved to Grand Ronde, a small area far to the north, where many of the coastal people were moved.
The US took over little by little. Spain ceded control in 1819. Russia gave over it's claims in 1824. For awhile Britain or the Hudson's Bay Company dominated until the time of President Polk ( 54' 40" or Fight!). Britain settled the issue in 1844, leaving Oregon to us, while establishing the present US-Canadian border. Corvallis was a transportation hub. Settlers began moving in by the "Trappers Trail", the "California Trail", the "Applegate Trail" ( which came out of the Great Basin via the Humboldt Sink, crossing the Klamath , Rogue, Umpqua and Long Tom rivers). in 1840 Methodist missionaries, Hines and White arrived. A college was established in in 1852, which became OSU in1886. I'll be studying my history books to fill in the gaps, which are many.
Today, I enjoyed hanging out at the Corvallis Farmer's Market which was set up in a the park that lies along the Willamett River. I bought figs from a local farm stand, enjoyed home-made Polish sausage, and listen to blues music. I picked up a Corvallis Bike Map at the library and then tried out all the routes I could in a day, including the Willamett, Philomath, Bald Hill, and Brooklane trails. I put 33 miles on my odometer today. Tonight I pedaled up to Reservoir Hill and found a place to camp. See you in the morning!
The US took over little by little. Spain ceded control in 1819. Russia gave over it's claims in 1824. For awhile Britain or the Hudson's Bay Company dominated until the time of President Polk ( 54' 40" or Fight!). Britain settled the issue in 1844, leaving Oregon to us, while establishing the present US-Canadian border. Corvallis was a transportation hub. Settlers began moving in by the "Trappers Trail", the "California Trail", the "Applegate Trail" ( which came out of the Great Basin via the Humboldt Sink, crossing the Klamath , Rogue, Umpqua and Long Tom rivers). in 1840 Methodist missionaries, Hines and White arrived. A college was established in in 1852, which became OSU in1886. I'll be studying my history books to fill in the gaps, which are many.
Today, I enjoyed hanging out at the Corvallis Farmer's Market which was set up in a the park that lies along the Willamett River. I bought figs from a local farm stand, enjoyed home-made Polish sausage, and listen to blues music. I picked up a Corvallis Bike Map at the library and then tried out all the routes I could in a day, including the Willamett, Philomath, Bald Hill, and Brooklane trails. I put 33 miles on my odometer today. Tonight I pedaled up to Reservoir Hill and found a place to camp. See you in the morning!
Friday, September 16, 2016
Gil's Oregon Trail (Eugene to Corvallis via the Willamett Valley Trail)
Hi again! Perused some issues of Adventure Cycling in the laundry room: Riding Taiwan, Biking Japan, Using Amtrak and biking Vermont, Biking Morrocco, cycling in Northern Italy....something to think about. I learned about the US Bike Route System (USBRS), EuroVelo in Europe, La Route Verte in Quebec, and the Mississippi River Trail Way (both sides!).
The next morning I got started early, pedaling down Coburg Road. Just as I entered town I found the Coburg Bakery and Pizza Co. After enjoying a coffee and a monster cinnamon bun, I donned my helmet and saddled up only to find my tire was flat. Oh well, it happens... then I noticed a serious crack in my rear rim. Going back to the bakery, I inquired about nearby bike shops. "In Eugene." I was told. I was at least 10 miles out of town. Then an angel appeared. Debra was her name. "Come, put your bike in my car and I'll take you there." She drops me off and leaves me outside Willie's bike shop. Then she's gone, only the echo of her wings fluttering in my ears.
As I waited for the shop to open, I talked with Jonah, also waiting at the door. He's a new bike rider, thanks his discovery of an old Schwinn at a garage sale. He's pretty excited to be able to ride to work after some tedious miles walking and waiting for buses. I cheer him on, giving him a few tips that helped me keep going after I started. Like "carry a patch kit and a pump... and don't worry about rain, just get a good raincoat..."
Willy doesn't have the right size rim, so, after fixing the flat I pedal a little ways to Bicycle Way of Life. No, It's not a church. Michael the owner and master mechanic fixes me up, not just the rim but the brakes and derailers. God is watching over me! Ready to restart from downtown Eugene I coffee up at Dutch Brothers and get a little rap music for my sound track.
The way back to Coburg is very familiar by now, so it goes fast. Stopping in at the bakery, I ask the server I met earlier if he knows Debra. He does. So I leave the price of a latte with him, " Tell her it's from the biker you helped." I leave town taking the North Coburg Road it's numbing-ly straight... and goes for miles. Finally I turn onto Gap Road ... and then it's climb, climb, climb to a pass ( must be the Gap) ...then racing down-hill, "twisting and shouting". I come into Brownsville, a historic little town with a feisty streak of independence. Lots of pioneer age buildings ... still standing! Then 7 mile Road, W. Linn Road, Robert's Road... Watch out for soft shoulders on these roads...and be ready for wind, cause there's not much out there between you and it. Then Boston Mill Rd. to Shedd, another historic farm town. I was saddened to see an old Methodist church, where services had been held continuously since 1853, with auction sign nailed to the timbers. I believe in the Resurrection.
I turned on Fayetteville Rd. So many "Fayettevilles" in the US. My mom lived in Fayetteville Arkansas. Down the road I saw black walnut trees, tall and straight, another thing that reminded me of my mom. I crossed over Muddy Creek and saw a score of salmon of spawning size. Then Peoria Rd, and White Oak, and then suddenly Highway 34. I stood there puzzled for a few minutes till I realized that there was a separate bike lane across the Highway. The Willamett Valley Trail is mostly country road with very few signs ( usually at a road change and not very big.) Anyway, you take the bike way west until you come to a right curving, arching overpass, which you follow over the river. You'll see a sign on the downhill that assures you that you're in a bike lane. There before you is Corvallis, "Heart of the Valley" in Latin.
I'd hoped to get to the Library and email my friends Phil and Audra, but alas I got to town at 730pm and the library closes at 6. I did bump into Brian, who I could see by his outfit that he was a serious biker. He pointed me to Squirrel's, a pub known for it's good food. I ordered the Squirrel Burger, which has "everything", including a fried egg! I peddled off to the West side of town to where I'd camped before, near the fairgrounds. Though a good ways off, I could hear the Gospel and Country music, I think everyone was singing. Later it was the little critters that live among the Garry Oak that kept me awake. I think I plunked down on one of their trails... probably the one between the bathroom and the refridgerator. And now a little "shut-eye". Goodnight!
The next morning I got started early, pedaling down Coburg Road. Just as I entered town I found the Coburg Bakery and Pizza Co. After enjoying a coffee and a monster cinnamon bun, I donned my helmet and saddled up only to find my tire was flat. Oh well, it happens... then I noticed a serious crack in my rear rim. Going back to the bakery, I inquired about nearby bike shops. "In Eugene." I was told. I was at least 10 miles out of town. Then an angel appeared. Debra was her name. "Come, put your bike in my car and I'll take you there." She drops me off and leaves me outside Willie's bike shop. Then she's gone, only the echo of her wings fluttering in my ears.
As I waited for the shop to open, I talked with Jonah, also waiting at the door. He's a new bike rider, thanks his discovery of an old Schwinn at a garage sale. He's pretty excited to be able to ride to work after some tedious miles walking and waiting for buses. I cheer him on, giving him a few tips that helped me keep going after I started. Like "carry a patch kit and a pump... and don't worry about rain, just get a good raincoat..."
Willy doesn't have the right size rim, so, after fixing the flat I pedal a little ways to Bicycle Way of Life. No, It's not a church. Michael the owner and master mechanic fixes me up, not just the rim but the brakes and derailers. God is watching over me! Ready to restart from downtown Eugene I coffee up at Dutch Brothers and get a little rap music for my sound track.
The way back to Coburg is very familiar by now, so it goes fast. Stopping in at the bakery, I ask the server I met earlier if he knows Debra. He does. So I leave the price of a latte with him, " Tell her it's from the biker you helped." I leave town taking the North Coburg Road it's numbing-ly straight... and goes for miles. Finally I turn onto Gap Road ... and then it's climb, climb, climb to a pass ( must be the Gap) ...then racing down-hill, "twisting and shouting". I come into Brownsville, a historic little town with a feisty streak of independence. Lots of pioneer age buildings ... still standing! Then 7 mile Road, W. Linn Road, Robert's Road... Watch out for soft shoulders on these roads...and be ready for wind, cause there's not much out there between you and it. Then Boston Mill Rd. to Shedd, another historic farm town. I was saddened to see an old Methodist church, where services had been held continuously since 1853, with auction sign nailed to the timbers. I believe in the Resurrection.
I turned on Fayetteville Rd. So many "Fayettevilles" in the US. My mom lived in Fayetteville Arkansas. Down the road I saw black walnut trees, tall and straight, another thing that reminded me of my mom. I crossed over Muddy Creek and saw a score of salmon of spawning size. Then Peoria Rd, and White Oak, and then suddenly Highway 34. I stood there puzzled for a few minutes till I realized that there was a separate bike lane across the Highway. The Willamett Valley Trail is mostly country road with very few signs ( usually at a road change and not very big.) Anyway, you take the bike way west until you come to a right curving, arching overpass, which you follow over the river. You'll see a sign on the downhill that assures you that you're in a bike lane. There before you is Corvallis, "Heart of the Valley" in Latin.
I'd hoped to get to the Library and email my friends Phil and Audra, but alas I got to town at 730pm and the library closes at 6. I did bump into Brian, who I could see by his outfit that he was a serious biker. He pointed me to Squirrel's, a pub known for it's good food. I ordered the Squirrel Burger, which has "everything", including a fried egg! I peddled off to the West side of town to where I'd camped before, near the fairgrounds. Though a good ways off, I could hear the Gospel and Country music, I think everyone was singing. Later it was the little critters that live among the Garry Oak that kept me awake. I think I plunked down on one of their trails... probably the one between the bathroom and the refridgerator. And now a little "shut-eye". Goodnight!
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
South Sister Road to Eugene ( Armitage Co.Park).
Back again! I Head out early as the day dawns. I've seen signs here and there: "CTR", "Legacy", and "RIDE". I'm still trying to figure out if they connect to some organized rides. I'm pretty much all aloneup here, riding along in the middle of the woods.Now I'm starting to climb, I've just passed a quarry, where all the gravel trucks I've seen have been going. I'm climbing seriously, a steady steep grade. A lot of recent clear-cutting trashes my beautiful views, as I attain Ox-bow Pass. Then there's a swift descent (hang on to your handle-bars!). Then eventually after awhile I come to a junction . There is a large wooden map of the area: the Siuslaw River Rd. and Wolf Creek Rd. are carved on it. Unfortunately, my intended route Siuslaw River Rd. is closed between MPs 15 & 16. So I take Wolf Creek Road ( more direct to Eugene). Wolf Creek Rd. involves another good climb and there are more log trucks, but lucky for me I can hear them coming miles away and have time to pull off the road. A little raccoon was not so lucky. At the highway I turn left and after a few flat miles, I take Crow Road. Here Again I run into the summer road crews. I always go right up to the flagger, who explains the safest way to proceed. After Crow Rd, I took Hwy 123 to a stop-light, then left, and left again onto Ferncliff Lane Bike Trail to downtown, through the Willow Creek Natural Area and Amazon Creek. This area preserves the "wet prairie" which used to predominate this area, but now makes up less than 1 % of the terrain. This important habitat for may-flies, dragon-flies, Dobsen-flies (larvae called Hellgrammites), giant water bugs, stone-flies, beaver, nutria, red fox, etc. Amazon Creek got it's name because it used to flood all the time. From 1913 til 1996 they chopped, mowed, scraped, dug, and concreted. Now they're trying to restore things. We so often learn the hard way. Down-town I found a food truck "Chatyo" and had Thai pumpkin curry ( go for less spicy!). I went to the library at 10th and Charnelton where I found a really nice Eugene Bike Map. After inquiring at Hutch Bike Shop re the best route out of town, I got back on the road. Following Coburg Road, at the Mckenzie River, I found Armitage Co. Park. They have Hiker-Biker camping for $16/night, including showers and laundry. It's a big beautiful park along-side of the McKenzie River and a good spring board for the next stretch of my journey up the Willamett Valley. Lot's of birds to see (great Blue Heron, ducks, grackles,osprey,king-fishers...), many people fishing, nice and shady under old Big-Leaf Maples with crazy massive branches. Later I listened to Kutsinhira Marimba Band playing for a company picnic. They had more of an African sound. Check them out www.kutsinhira.org. I picked up a quote somewhere: "Many go all their lives fishing, without knowing that it is not the fish they are after" (Thoreau). I'm taking that to mean, that when you're exploring you should be open to whatever shows up around that next corner. And now to sleep.
Friday, September 9, 2016
Gil's Oregon Trail- Honeyman SP to So. Sister Rd.
Hello Again! I took off early. Too early to get coffee. No coffee stands on the way, not until I got to Reedsport. I did look! There are however several campgrounds,mostly Forest Service. Met Joshua sitting on the roadside. He was the one guy who cheered for me. "Looks like you're climbing a mountain!". He even offered me a toque, but I turned him down. Saw two bikers headed north. That's a tough way to go since the prevailing winds in the summer blow south. When I got to Reedsport, I stopped at the Harbor Light for lunch ( good food and price). After lunch I back-tracked to the Smith River Rd. The river is named for Jedediah Smith. He was a trapper/explorer/wagon-train leader. Around 1822 he made it to Oregon with other explorers and trappers. Around this place there was trouble with Indians, yet somehow, with help, he managed to escape. He learned a lot through his travels and difficulties and ended up working as a leader/guide for many Oregon-bound wagon trains until he died at the hand of the Comanches on an exploratory mission in 1832. My troubles however, beyond mosquitoes and rocks and sticks under my bed and a few steep hills, have been small. Thinking on Jedediah reminds me that adventures even misadventures are learning experiences that open up vast new horizons. As I pedaled, I noted an old RR running from Gardiner to Coos Bay, The Smith River Road rises very very gradually as you pedal eastward. Interestingly every 1/2 mile, someone had painted mile numbers on the pavement ... it helped keep me going. At about 15 miles, near the North Fork, there's a store where I got ice cream and Gator Ade. The Store, the only one, was built in 1957 and is still going "out of spite" so I was told."More power to 'em", I say. It's decorated with a collection of old antiques like tin bath tubs and old saws and plows. The store owner says " this valley was settled in the 1800's and dairy farms were scattered all up and down the river. Everything moved by boat, kids climbed on boats loaded with milk cans. At 26 1/2 miles I came to Smith River Falls which is a favorite swimming hole for people around here. It didn't take much encouragement from some daredevil girls to get me to jump off a 10-15 foot rock into a deep pool. Whew...Refreshing! I ended up doing it 3 times, as I remember. No need to change, I got back on the bike and continued on. I was dry in 15 minutes. The Stream-bad reminds me ;of the Umpqua , basalt rock filled with hollows almost like Swiss Cheese. Small rocks and sand swirl around depressions like pestles in mortars . At Vincent Creek there's a campground. On my trip 2 years ago , I turned south here for Elkton via Scottsburg. There's an old guard station which has been given over to bats.Townsend's Big Eared Bats, specifically. They eat moths which are harmful to trees. Their ears are so sensitive that they can hear insect's foot-steps...They catch 'em in mid air or hover over plants and lick 'em up. They can live to be 35 years old, yet unfortunately now their numbers have declined. I left the bats and continued down the road towards Lorane. The road forks later on. To the left W Fork Smith River to Roman Nose and eventually Eugene in 68 miles, while the right continues on the Smith River Rd.and Eugene in 49 miles. Creatures seen include: 5 Turkey Vultures ( I evaded them), a frog with red-tan sides, and a garter snake. I continue on the So. Sister Rd. The light is waning as I start to climb higher, so I find an abandoned road off So. Sister to camp. Almost no traffic up here. No cell phone either. There's no breeze, so the mosquitoes have no trouble getting to me. Oh Yay!! I remembered my repellent. I also remembered my iodine tabs so water's not a problem either. I'll leave you all now and get some shut-eye. Good Night!
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Gil's Oregon Trail-Washburne State Park to Honeyman State Park ( Florence)
More on Sea-Lion Caves...Besides the Massive Caves which provide shelter for the sea-lions, the sea floor shape causes a big up-welling of deep water to the surface, bringing up nutrients and everything that eats them from plankton to krill to herring to salmon to sea- lions and whales. Scanning the rocks I see sea-lions on rocks maybe 30 feet above the sea... How did they get there? I later learned that sea-lions have more of legs than their relatives the harbor seals, so that they can actually climb up rocky hills. I can see some young sea-lions playing some kind of water-polo... or water rugby, judging by the tight scrum. A good resource for more info would be PEARL (Portland State researchers)
I am only the latest in a long line of explorers, starting with Bruno Heceta of Spain back in 1775. The caves were discovered by Captain William Cox in 1880. The SLCs have been a private operation here since 1932. I met 3 other cyclists who'd come over from Utah. It is a popular stretch to pedal.
Arriving in Florence around lunch-time I stopped at the Little Brown Hen where I had the best fried chicken since the last time my mom cooked it for me. I ordered the " 3 Cluck" dinner. I liked a sign I saw there: "It's never too late to start your day over again." I also picked up a biker blessing/wish from one of my fellow bikers " Rubber side down!" That's the way I hope to keep things.
At Honeyman S.P. I visited the dunes. It's like a mountain just moved in next door. Have you seen pictures where the Sahara is taking over forests in West Africa? My first experience out on the dunes was like visiting another planet... unearthly! Silence... the only movement being sand blown by the wind...the bones of trees that had finally given up the ghost here and there were washed up on this edge of the universe. Walking up these shifting mountains is strenuous and strength-sapping, The sand pulls at your feet as you lift one up while your other foot sinks and slides back down the hill. A lake in the park is slowly, slowly being taken over by the beach.
The following day I went swimming in the lake and while dripping dry in the hot sun I visited a bathhouse constructed by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps). This program was enacted by FDR in 1933 in the midst of the Depression. It put to work 3 million men between 17 and 28. They were paid $1 a day and were required to send $25 a month back home to their families. They were supervised by the army, while the NPS and USFS provided planning and expertise. Each company had 200 men and went by names like Roosevelt's Tree Army, Woodpecker Warriors, Colossal College of Callouses...They built 89000 miles of telephone lines,3400 fire lookouts, Spent 6 million man-hours fighting fires, built 52000 acres of campgrounds, stocked lakes with 972 million fish, constructed 13100 miles of hiking trails, and planted 3 billion trees. The hand-carved rectangle stones you see on roadway edges are a trademark of the CCC.
Here's an interesting thing:
The 10 Commandments of the CCC
1. Obey officers.
2. Respect property.
3. Respect the rights and feelings of others.
4.Be Truthful,Trustworthy, and Honorable.
5. Be Thrifty, Faithful, and Industrious.
6.Be Clean and Healthy in body.
7.Use free time for wholesome activities of cheerful recreation.
8. Be Clean in thought word deeds and morals. No profanity.
9 Attend religious services.
10. Be loyal to company commanders and all authority - to God and Country.
You know, maybe it would be a good idea to try again.
Here I met Adam and Pippa, a couple living in Britain, now cycling all over the world: Australia, New Zealand, Canada ( from Jasper through the Okanagan, following Hwy 20 over the Cascades via Port Townsend and Hood Canal then out to the coast. They are looking to ride all the way down to San Diego. Adam is a school teacher and Pippa works in Biotech and IT.
Before leaving I did a nature trail on Lake Woahink. First built by the CCC in 1938 and now recently restored 2014. Now is the time for blackberries and evergreen huckleberries ( I didn't need to pack a snack). On the lake there's a memorial bench to Dick Welle, who visited the park yearly with his family since the 60's and was a pioneer sand-boarder. Do you know surf and snow and sidewalks aren't the only things you can "board"? More later.
I am only the latest in a long line of explorers, starting with Bruno Heceta of Spain back in 1775. The caves were discovered by Captain William Cox in 1880. The SLCs have been a private operation here since 1932. I met 3 other cyclists who'd come over from Utah. It is a popular stretch to pedal.
Arriving in Florence around lunch-time I stopped at the Little Brown Hen where I had the best fried chicken since the last time my mom cooked it for me. I ordered the " 3 Cluck" dinner. I liked a sign I saw there: "It's never too late to start your day over again." I also picked up a biker blessing/wish from one of my fellow bikers " Rubber side down!" That's the way I hope to keep things.
At Honeyman S.P. I visited the dunes. It's like a mountain just moved in next door. Have you seen pictures where the Sahara is taking over forests in West Africa? My first experience out on the dunes was like visiting another planet... unearthly! Silence... the only movement being sand blown by the wind...the bones of trees that had finally given up the ghost here and there were washed up on this edge of the universe. Walking up these shifting mountains is strenuous and strength-sapping, The sand pulls at your feet as you lift one up while your other foot sinks and slides back down the hill. A lake in the park is slowly, slowly being taken over by the beach.
The following day I went swimming in the lake and while dripping dry in the hot sun I visited a bathhouse constructed by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps). This program was enacted by FDR in 1933 in the midst of the Depression. It put to work 3 million men between 17 and 28. They were paid $1 a day and were required to send $25 a month back home to their families. They were supervised by the army, while the NPS and USFS provided planning and expertise. Each company had 200 men and went by names like Roosevelt's Tree Army, Woodpecker Warriors, Colossal College of Callouses...They built 89000 miles of telephone lines,3400 fire lookouts, Spent 6 million man-hours fighting fires, built 52000 acres of campgrounds, stocked lakes with 972 million fish, constructed 13100 miles of hiking trails, and planted 3 billion trees. The hand-carved rectangle stones you see on roadway edges are a trademark of the CCC.
Here's an interesting thing:
The 10 Commandments of the CCC
1. Obey officers.
2. Respect property.
3. Respect the rights and feelings of others.
4.Be Truthful,Trustworthy, and Honorable.
5. Be Thrifty, Faithful, and Industrious.
6.Be Clean and Healthy in body.
7.Use free time for wholesome activities of cheerful recreation.
8. Be Clean in thought word deeds and morals. No profanity.
9 Attend religious services.
10. Be loyal to company commanders and all authority - to God and Country.
You know, maybe it would be a good idea to try again.
Here I met Adam and Pippa, a couple living in Britain, now cycling all over the world: Australia, New Zealand, Canada ( from Jasper through the Okanagan, following Hwy 20 over the Cascades via Port Townsend and Hood Canal then out to the coast. They are looking to ride all the way down to San Diego. Adam is a school teacher and Pippa works in Biotech and IT.
Before leaving I did a nature trail on Lake Woahink. First built by the CCC in 1938 and now recently restored 2014. Now is the time for blackberries and evergreen huckleberries ( I didn't need to pack a snack). On the lake there's a memorial bench to Dick Welle, who visited the park yearly with his family since the 60's and was a pioneer sand-boarder. Do you know surf and snow and sidewalks aren't the only things you can "board"? More later.
Monday, August 29, 2016
Gil's Oregon Trail- So. Beach State Park to Washburne State Park.
At South Beach S.P. I learned that Newport is kept functional as a port by 2 parallel jetties on either side of the entrance to the port. these catch the sand that the sea moves back and forth by shifting wave and wind patterns. These Jetties extend out it seems a 1/2 mile or more into the ocean. Because they catch the sand. the beach on both sides is building outwards. Maybe 1/4 to 1/2 mile since the late 1800s. As a consequence of this one is able to see the stages of colonization of beach by grasses and other plants ( twinberries, tansy,beach-pea, sea pink, seashore lupine, sea rocket, Am dunegrass, Beach Strawberry. Followed by Shore Pine, Sitka Spruce).
I met a bunch of bikers doing the whole coast, from Canada to Mexico. Including a sailor, a marathoner, a Maine wilderness guide, etc. it's amazing how quick all the walls are broken down when you're all up against a bigger challenge. It helps that we don't have little metal wheeled pods to isolate ourselves in. Having only a campfire to gather round helped too. It's easier to talk in the dark,
That evening I went to a highly interesting ranger talk about beach trash. Seriously... I thought I knew it all
monster masses of floating debris swirling in the oceans, marine mammals snared or choked by plastic, our junk strewn all over the most beautiful places in the earth... but I never even thought of the stuff that's only buoyant for a little while that ends up filling the valleys of the ocean floor with garbage turning them into dumps the size of small countries, or stuff that gets buried in the sand of our beaches, or thought about how the toxics we toss end up concentrating more and more in sea predators or scavengers. He made me aware of the many volunteer groups working to do something about it. That's the next step. Check www.MarineDebris.noaa.gov
The next morning I set off on my own. I visited Beaver Creek or "Nackito". Explored by Alexander McLeod and Michel Laframboise of the Hudson's Bay Co. who traded with the Tillamook,Umpqua,Coos, and Coquille. Lots of trails and kayaking opportunities in the wetlands here. Later I came upon Seal Rocks. This is a private sea life center that you can visit for a small entrance fee. the guides are very knowledgeable and the info displays are really well done. Bring cameras and binoculars. An elevator takes you 200+ feet down to cathedral-like caverns where the sea-lions shelter during the stormy months of fall and winter. At this time they were all out under the sun on the rocks. I saw scores, fifties, hundreds of sea-lions. At the same time migrating Gray Whales were feeding very close to the cliffs. Wow! and I haven't even mentioned the Pigeon Guillemots, Cormorants, Murres, and other sea birds. I learned that the male sea-lions strike out on their own for northern waters up towards Alaska for several months, while females stay closer to home. A male usually isn't strong or tough enough to hold territory ( "a piece of the rock") until he's 9 years old. This is the prerequisite for mating.
I camped the night at Washburne State Park, close to Heceta Head Lighthouse. Since I got there early I decided to hike to the Lighthouses. The trail is magical, forest and terrain are truly strange. It is long ( 4-5 miles with a lot of up and down at the end),The scenery is striking. It is very sheltered most of the way. I must tell you that you end up climbing up to the Head and then quite a way down to the Lighthouse.
I neglected to mention as I traveled I saw fantastic rock formations around Yachats. "Wave Geysers" like Devil's Churn and Cook's Horn. In Waldport saw an excellent info center which described the evolution of transportation along the coust and the building of a network of bridges. A lot of road paving is going on all over Oregon in the summer. Bikers need to go up to where the flaggers stand and wait until all the cars go by first. They'll tell you when to go and then you need to peddle like mad, hoping that it's not an up-hill stretch. Sadly I came across a small bear that had been struck and killed... please drive carefully when you travel the Coast Highway.
No cell coverage at Washburne. Next time I come there's a trail I want to explore. it's called the Hobbit
Trail and may connect to Middle Earth. More later.
I met a bunch of bikers doing the whole coast, from Canada to Mexico. Including a sailor, a marathoner, a Maine wilderness guide, etc. it's amazing how quick all the walls are broken down when you're all up against a bigger challenge. It helps that we don't have little metal wheeled pods to isolate ourselves in. Having only a campfire to gather round helped too. It's easier to talk in the dark,
That evening I went to a highly interesting ranger talk about beach trash. Seriously... I thought I knew it all
monster masses of floating debris swirling in the oceans, marine mammals snared or choked by plastic, our junk strewn all over the most beautiful places in the earth... but I never even thought of the stuff that's only buoyant for a little while that ends up filling the valleys of the ocean floor with garbage turning them into dumps the size of small countries, or stuff that gets buried in the sand of our beaches, or thought about how the toxics we toss end up concentrating more and more in sea predators or scavengers. He made me aware of the many volunteer groups working to do something about it. That's the next step. Check www.MarineDebris.noaa.gov
The next morning I set off on my own. I visited Beaver Creek or "Nackito". Explored by Alexander McLeod and Michel Laframboise of the Hudson's Bay Co. who traded with the Tillamook,Umpqua,Coos, and Coquille. Lots of trails and kayaking opportunities in the wetlands here. Later I came upon Seal Rocks. This is a private sea life center that you can visit for a small entrance fee. the guides are very knowledgeable and the info displays are really well done. Bring cameras and binoculars. An elevator takes you 200+ feet down to cathedral-like caverns where the sea-lions shelter during the stormy months of fall and winter. At this time they were all out under the sun on the rocks. I saw scores, fifties, hundreds of sea-lions. At the same time migrating Gray Whales were feeding very close to the cliffs. Wow! and I haven't even mentioned the Pigeon Guillemots, Cormorants, Murres, and other sea birds. I learned that the male sea-lions strike out on their own for northern waters up towards Alaska for several months, while females stay closer to home. A male usually isn't strong or tough enough to hold territory ( "a piece of the rock") until he's 9 years old. This is the prerequisite for mating.
I camped the night at Washburne State Park, close to Heceta Head Lighthouse. Since I got there early I decided to hike to the Lighthouses. The trail is magical, forest and terrain are truly strange. It is long ( 4-5 miles with a lot of up and down at the end),The scenery is striking. It is very sheltered most of the way. I must tell you that you end up climbing up to the Head and then quite a way down to the Lighthouse.
I neglected to mention as I traveled I saw fantastic rock formations around Yachats. "Wave Geysers" like Devil's Churn and Cook's Horn. In Waldport saw an excellent info center which described the evolution of transportation along the coust and the building of a network of bridges. A lot of road paving is going on all over Oregon in the summer. Bikers need to go up to where the flaggers stand and wait until all the cars go by first. They'll tell you when to go and then you need to peddle like mad, hoping that it's not an up-hill stretch. Sadly I came across a small bear that had been struck and killed... please drive carefully when you travel the Coast Highway.
No cell coverage at Washburne. Next time I come there's a trail I want to explore. it's called the Hobbit
Trail and may connect to Middle Earth. More later.
Gil's Oregon Trail- Starting Out July 30th
Hello All! I've been riding a lot, mostly around Seattle, this past year. A personal goal has been to ride my bike every day. One challenge I've taken on is "the 2 mile challenge". Basically it means drawing a circle on the map with a 2 mile radius around your house. Now any destination ( Library trip, Shopping errand, Neighbor Visit, Etc.) within that circle should be do-able on a bike. Another thing that has helped me is signing up for the Cascade Bike Club's Bike Everywhere Challenge for the month of May. Then I found out about the National Bike Challenge which runs from May through September. These are good ways to appeal to your competitive side, even if you're only competing with yourself. Well, after awhile my adventurous side kept pushing my to explore new routes. It's been fun. You see a lot, when you are out in the open, and going a bit slower. For several years I've done group rides like the STP (Seattle to Portland) or the RSVP (Ride From Seattle to Vancouver and Party). Now I'm more interested in getting off on my own. Last year I put my bike on the train and rode down to Klamath Falls, Oregon and rode my bike up to Crater Lake and the Rogue River country.
This year I decided to train down to Albany, Oregon and then pedal out to the Oregon Coast, then south to Reedsport, east to Eugene, and north through the Willamet Valley back to Corvallis and Albany.
Day one I got into Albany pretty late ( after 8). Nobody could point me to a bike route to Corvallis and light was fading fast. I found highway 20 ( good paved shoulders) and by nightfall made the 20 miles to Corvallis. I pedaled to the far side of town towards Bald Hill ( lots of trails out that way), found a secluded spot under some oaks, and spread out my bed roll. I travel light : no tent, just a 36 " pad, a garbage bag for a ground sheet, my down bag, and a poncho in case it rains. I pick rain-free months.
Early in the morning I pedaled off on Hwy 20. Shoulders still well paved and wide. Couldn't find any stores open in the AM after I left Corvallis. The traffic started to get to me, though most people gave me room. I took a side road to Summit -Nashville-Eddyville. It was a good choice: no cars, scenic, and fairly flat (It followed an old railroad line). Along a few mile stretch the neighbors had turned old bikes into yard art with different color paint and decorations. I took it as an expression of encouragement to cyclists. I've got an idea now what to do with my old junk bikes. As I pedaled I saw 2 wild turkeys and a doe with 2 fawns.
Back on the the highway, things were worse: almost no shoulder and speed limits way too high (55 mph) for what was basically country road. Oregon has lots of old covered bridges it seems everywhere you go. I passed the Irish Road Bridge and Chitten Bridge. Maybe good places to hide out if a storm hit. Finally I got to Toledo, a little town close to Newport, I found a store and tanked up on sports-drink and snacks. From now on, if I see a store, I make sure I've got 2 bottles plus water ( 3 liters total). Road ( 11 miles) along Yaquina Bay to Newport was flat ( oyster country) and scenic but from noon on the wind blows strong from the ocean up river. This last stretch is used for the local marathon.
I got to the Newport wharves and got coffee and ice cream. The barristas wore great shirts " Be Positive-Love Your Life". On a dock in town I saw maybe a dozen sea-lions barking and swimming around. I went to "Mo's" for chowder. Really good!
Getting across the long bridge over Yaquina Bay was hair-raising. I mentioned the wind. I made a mistake riding on the pedestrian ( a narrow strip about a foot above the roadway. Next time I'm going to stay on the road. They do have a good idea: there's a button for cyclists to push that alerts drivers that there's a biker on the bridge - hopefully they'll use caution.
From Newport, it's a short pedal (30-45 min.) to South Beach State Park. As a hiker/biker a campsite is $5/night (you're guaranteed a spot). This park has showers with free hot-water and a hospitality center with free coffee!
More to come...
This year I decided to train down to Albany, Oregon and then pedal out to the Oregon Coast, then south to Reedsport, east to Eugene, and north through the Willamet Valley back to Corvallis and Albany.
Day one I got into Albany pretty late ( after 8). Nobody could point me to a bike route to Corvallis and light was fading fast. I found highway 20 ( good paved shoulders) and by nightfall made the 20 miles to Corvallis. I pedaled to the far side of town towards Bald Hill ( lots of trails out that way), found a secluded spot under some oaks, and spread out my bed roll. I travel light : no tent, just a 36 " pad, a garbage bag for a ground sheet, my down bag, and a poncho in case it rains. I pick rain-free months.
Early in the morning I pedaled off on Hwy 20. Shoulders still well paved and wide. Couldn't find any stores open in the AM after I left Corvallis. The traffic started to get to me, though most people gave me room. I took a side road to Summit -Nashville-Eddyville. It was a good choice: no cars, scenic, and fairly flat (It followed an old railroad line). Along a few mile stretch the neighbors had turned old bikes into yard art with different color paint and decorations. I took it as an expression of encouragement to cyclists. I've got an idea now what to do with my old junk bikes. As I pedaled I saw 2 wild turkeys and a doe with 2 fawns.
Back on the the highway, things were worse: almost no shoulder and speed limits way too high (55 mph) for what was basically country road. Oregon has lots of old covered bridges it seems everywhere you go. I passed the Irish Road Bridge and Chitten Bridge. Maybe good places to hide out if a storm hit. Finally I got to Toledo, a little town close to Newport, I found a store and tanked up on sports-drink and snacks. From now on, if I see a store, I make sure I've got 2 bottles plus water ( 3 liters total). Road ( 11 miles) along Yaquina Bay to Newport was flat ( oyster country) and scenic but from noon on the wind blows strong from the ocean up river. This last stretch is used for the local marathon.
I got to the Newport wharves and got coffee and ice cream. The barristas wore great shirts " Be Positive-Love Your Life". On a dock in town I saw maybe a dozen sea-lions barking and swimming around. I went to "Mo's" for chowder. Really good!
Getting across the long bridge over Yaquina Bay was hair-raising. I mentioned the wind. I made a mistake riding on the pedestrian ( a narrow strip about a foot above the roadway. Next time I'm going to stay on the road. They do have a good idea: there's a button for cyclists to push that alerts drivers that there's a biker on the bridge - hopefully they'll use caution.
From Newport, it's a short pedal (30-45 min.) to South Beach State Park. As a hiker/biker a campsite is $5/night (you're guaranteed a spot). This park has showers with free hot-water and a hospitality center with free coffee!
More to come...
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Back to Tegucigalpa 2015
Hola Amigos!
It's been so long since I've been back here and for Jane, even longer. The airport looks nicer. Nicer buses going to Flor del Campo ( not the old schoolbuses I remember). Astroturf on the soccer field... Still the taxistas at the airport are leery about driving to Flor. I learned later that there'd been some violent attacks on drivers in the neighborhood.
We found a driver who was very helpful... we had the approximate address for the mom of one of our old friends and he asked around, backing up and manoeuvering around some rutted and narrow streets.
It's been so long since I've been back here and for Jane, even longer. The airport looks nicer. Nicer buses going to Flor del Campo ( not the old schoolbuses I remember). Astroturf on the soccer field... Still the taxistas at the airport are leery about driving to Flor. I learned later that there'd been some violent attacks on drivers in the neighborhood.
We found a driver who was very helpful... we had the approximate address for the mom of one of our old friends and he asked around, backing up and manoeuvering around some rutted and narrow streets.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
San San Pond Sak
Saturday we went to our new friend Roberto´s church. He´s the president to the boatman´s assn on Bastimentos and an Elder in the church. The sermon was given by a youth group leader. it was a good word. about God´s People right after their first big victory. beating Jericho. The next challenge was the little town of Ai. Thinking they were pretty big stuff and forgetting their recent win was totally God, they said to themselves "we can beat them with one hand tied behind our back". " it's a little town, we'll just send 3000 soldiers". Well Ai kicked their butts. We fall into the same kind of thinking. We forget that living victoriously means keeping up our spiritual discipline( forgiving/confessing, praying, meditating ,etc), remembering that we are totally dependent on God, and following God's orders as best as we can.
In this little town ( no roads just one sidewalk that runs along the waterfront and another that runs up the hill) the evening hang out is a little park above the public dock. We sat with everyone else looking out to sea which was lit now and again by distant lightning. pretty quiet ... that is until the kids got 2 dogs worked up and a dogfight got going.
Sunday 10/6 up early. Goodbye to our "tree-house". As we approach the dock, Roberto's son pops his head out his window. "Heading out?" quickly we are led out to the boat and climb aboard. It's a 10 minute trip to Bocas town. from there we arrange a water taxi to the mainland. We are headed for the nature preserve of San San Pond Sak, which is managed by the environmental group Assn of AMigos y VEcinos de la COsta y la NAturleza or AAMVECONA. we negociate passage on a couple of diffierent buses through Chiquita's vast banana plantations.
When we arrive at the visitor center all is quiet. I'm hoping I was clear in my telephone communications, especially since it was all in Spanish. Soon a big canoe with an outboard pulls up at the dock. It's our guide, Erick.
In this little town ( no roads just one sidewalk that runs along the waterfront and another that runs up the hill) the evening hang out is a little park above the public dock. We sat with everyone else looking out to sea which was lit now and again by distant lightning. pretty quiet ... that is until the kids got 2 dogs worked up and a dogfight got going.
Sunday 10/6 up early. Goodbye to our "tree-house". As we approach the dock, Roberto's son pops his head out his window. "Heading out?" quickly we are led out to the boat and climb aboard. It's a 10 minute trip to Bocas town. from there we arrange a water taxi to the mainland. We are headed for the nature preserve of San San Pond Sak, which is managed by the environmental group Assn of AMigos y VEcinos de la COsta y la NAturleza or AAMVECONA. we negociate passage on a couple of diffierent buses through Chiquita's vast banana plantations.
When we arrive at the visitor center all is quiet. I'm hoping I was clear in my telephone communications, especially since it was all in Spanish. Soon a big canoe with an outboard pulls up at the dock. It's our guide, Erick.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
in Bocas del Toro
Hola Amigos!
Jane and I flew up to Bocas del Toro, an island group on the Carribean close to Costa Rica. Weather is great , mostly sunny and a welcome relief from Panama City which was pretty sloppy while we were there. Yesterday after flying in we were able to catch a bus to the far end of the island which interestingly is called Boca del Drago (Dragon´s Maw). It was anything but .... Calm water, just like a big swimming pool. When I have goggles on I think I can swim better, maybe it´s because when I can see where I´m going, I don´t tend to swim in circles.
Today ( 10- 3) I decided to rent a bike to get to wild beach that has no bus. I thought I was doing good when I got them to pump up the tires and raise the seat. Well ....30 minutes in the tire popped. you know a tire patch kit and a pump are a good idea to have along even if it´s not your bike. I was close enough to the beach ( 2 to 3 miles) that I decided to lock up the bike and walk the rest otf the way. Beautiful beach all along the way. When I got to my destination , it was as empty as the Washington coast on a rainy day in October, but it was sunny there was lots of powdery yellow sand , and the water was perfect. We need some coconut palms up our way. On my way back I got to my bike just as a pick up truck taxi was loading up 2 other guys and their bikes. they let me share and turned out to be a couple of Spaniards, Frank and his cousin. You know a flat tire doesn´t have to be a disaster...
When I got back Jane and I bumped into a couple in a cafe, Seth and Janelle Lambert from the Battleground WA area who are down here working with a friend Bobby Woods who is starting a work to assist indigenous people Ngobe-Bugle living on Isla Bastimentos to improve their farming so they can better support themselves. we had a good talk about their work and what we are doing in Honduras with our friends at Agros and Nuevo Amanecer. God´s people are all over doing good.Bobby´s blog is on www.woodupdate.com and his new website is aguadulce.org.
10-4 We left early on a boat to Isla Bastimentos. We arrived in Old Bank a small Afro-Caribbean enclave and went to a small guest house in a jungle garden setting. Beverly´s Hill.Like being in a treehouse we could sit on the porch and wait for the birds to com to us.Not just birds but tiny red frogs speckled with black spots which are famous around here.In some ways it was almost like home, we had chickens clucking and scratching about too.
Later Jane and I took off walking on a trail up the hill through the Jungle on our way to Wizard Beach. at the top of the Hill was the aptly named Up the Hill Shop, a colorful outdoorsy hangout where one could sit and read (there was a bookcase full of novels and nature books) and drink coffee or juice and eat brownies. I had a Mocha made with Coconut milk. Great! The brownies also made with coconut oil. Delicious! They grow their own Cocoa, Coconuts,Passion-fruit,etc..So fortified we slipped and slid our way down the hill to Wizard Beach. A Fantastic place! I really am going to have to learn how to surf...
More later amigos. Gilberto.
Jane and I flew up to Bocas del Toro, an island group on the Carribean close to Costa Rica. Weather is great , mostly sunny and a welcome relief from Panama City which was pretty sloppy while we were there. Yesterday after flying in we were able to catch a bus to the far end of the island which interestingly is called Boca del Drago (Dragon´s Maw). It was anything but .... Calm water, just like a big swimming pool. When I have goggles on I think I can swim better, maybe it´s because when I can see where I´m going, I don´t tend to swim in circles.
Today ( 10- 3) I decided to rent a bike to get to wild beach that has no bus. I thought I was doing good when I got them to pump up the tires and raise the seat. Well ....30 minutes in the tire popped. you know a tire patch kit and a pump are a good idea to have along even if it´s not your bike. I was close enough to the beach ( 2 to 3 miles) that I decided to lock up the bike and walk the rest otf the way. Beautiful beach all along the way. When I got to my destination , it was as empty as the Washington coast on a rainy day in October, but it was sunny there was lots of powdery yellow sand , and the water was perfect. We need some coconut palms up our way. On my way back I got to my bike just as a pick up truck taxi was loading up 2 other guys and their bikes. they let me share and turned out to be a couple of Spaniards, Frank and his cousin. You know a flat tire doesn´t have to be a disaster...
When I got back Jane and I bumped into a couple in a cafe, Seth and Janelle Lambert from the Battleground WA area who are down here working with a friend Bobby Woods who is starting a work to assist indigenous people Ngobe-Bugle living on Isla Bastimentos to improve their farming so they can better support themselves. we had a good talk about their work and what we are doing in Honduras with our friends at Agros and Nuevo Amanecer. God´s people are all over doing good.Bobby´s blog is on www.woodupdate.com and his new website is aguadulce.org.
10-4 We left early on a boat to Isla Bastimentos. We arrived in Old Bank a small Afro-Caribbean enclave and went to a small guest house in a jungle garden setting. Beverly´s Hill.Like being in a treehouse we could sit on the porch and wait for the birds to com to us.Not just birds but tiny red frogs speckled with black spots which are famous around here.In some ways it was almost like home, we had chickens clucking and scratching about too.
Later Jane and I took off walking on a trail up the hill through the Jungle on our way to Wizard Beach. at the top of the Hill was the aptly named Up the Hill Shop, a colorful outdoorsy hangout where one could sit and read (there was a bookcase full of novels and nature books) and drink coffee or juice and eat brownies. I had a Mocha made with Coconut milk. Great! The brownies also made with coconut oil. Delicious! They grow their own Cocoa, Coconuts,Passion-fruit,etc..So fortified we slipped and slid our way down the hill to Wizard Beach. A Fantastic place! I really am going to have to learn how to surf...
More later amigos. Gilberto.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
From Honduras to Panama
Hi from Panama!
Just finished a memorable week in Honduras. We were helping dig holes for power poles. The ground is hard, hard, hard. Not the job we were expecting, but important for the community. They need to assure that they have a reliable source of water for drinking and irrigation, which will require not just a well ,but electricity to run the pump. The government has commited to provide the equipment and we're providing the set up.
It's been hard for the people. bad weather, tough market , health issues, fewer hands (some young men have left) have made it tough to pay off the loans and the interest. The help they've been recieving from Agros is due to start winding down. We're trying to see how we can continue to stay with them thru the transition. I'm realizing that when it comes to commitments all of them have to consider the long term when we're talking communities and families.
No backing up now. our hearts are half in Honduras and half in Seattle. Our team has become a Fellowship of the Ring. We will continue talking and solution seeking and praying thru this next year.
It's rainy season down here and Panama is showing us what that means. Monsoon like rain has been pouring down all afternoon. Our bus was like a landing craft from which we waded to the curb. Jane and I are on our own now. We'll have a little more time for reflecting and I hope to set some of our thoughts and impressions down.
Til Later, Gilberto.
Just finished a memorable week in Honduras. We were helping dig holes for power poles. The ground is hard, hard, hard. Not the job we were expecting, but important for the community. They need to assure that they have a reliable source of water for drinking and irrigation, which will require not just a well ,but electricity to run the pump. The government has commited to provide the equipment and we're providing the set up.
It's been hard for the people. bad weather, tough market , health issues, fewer hands (some young men have left) have made it tough to pay off the loans and the interest. The help they've been recieving from Agros is due to start winding down. We're trying to see how we can continue to stay with them thru the transition. I'm realizing that when it comes to commitments all of them have to consider the long term when we're talking communities and families.
No backing up now. our hearts are half in Honduras and half in Seattle. Our team has become a Fellowship of the Ring. We will continue talking and solution seeking and praying thru this next year.
It's rainy season down here and Panama is showing us what that means. Monsoon like rain has been pouring down all afternoon. Our bus was like a landing craft from which we waded to the curb. Jane and I are on our own now. We'll have a little more time for reflecting and I hope to set some of our thoughts and impressions down.
Til Later, Gilberto.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Return to Honduras
Hola amigos! Yes we are returning to Honduras! We fly out of SeaTac on Friday. Jane and I are joining 8 friends from Bethany Presby. on a service team to support our brothers and sisters in Nuevo Amanecer as they continue their efforts to earn their own land and support their families by farming. We will be catching up on what's been going on as well as assisting with planting and irrigation projects. Assuring a stable supply of water for their farms and families is a big issue right now and we're working to raise funds for drilling a well.
I'm excited to see our friends again. It's been a year and a half since I saw them last. This is the first team Jane's been on, so she's a little nervous. I'm just getting things packed together. Sprayed my clothes to discourage mosquitoes. Nothing like a trip to the tropics to get you asking those questions " When was your last typhoid shot?" We plan to visit Panama later so we need a stronger anti-malarial... Who knew?
I will try to add to my blog while we're down there. Do send me your questions. I'll do my best to fill you in. We appreciate your prayers and good wishes.Til later!
Gilberto
Lamentations 3:22-25. God is good to those who wait on him.
Hola amigos! Yes we are returning to Honduras! We fly out of SeaTac on Friday. Jane and I are joining 8 friends from Bethany Presby. on a service team to support our brothers and sisters in Nuevo Amanecer as they continue their efforts to earn their own land and support their families by farming. We will be catching up on what's been going on as well as assisting with planting and irrigation projects. Assuring a stable supply of water for their farms and families is a big issue right now and we're working to raise funds for drilling a well.
I'm excited to see our friends again. It's been a year and a half since I saw them last. This is the first team Jane's been on, so she's a little nervous. I'm just getting things packed together. Sprayed my clothes to discourage mosquitoes. Nothing like a trip to the tropics to get you asking those questions " When was your last typhoid shot?" We plan to visit Panama later so we need a stronger anti-malarial... Who knew?
I will try to add to my blog while we're down there. Do send me your questions. I'll do my best to fill you in. We appreciate your prayers and good wishes.Til later!
Gilberto
Lamentations 3:22-25. God is good to those who wait on him.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
The Work of Listening
The next day I came with my work gloves and my broad -brim hat expecting to be out in the fields digging in the dirt but was called up by Frank (Paco) my team leader to visit some of the families. We visited one family who wanted to talk about some of their issues. They had started well, by great industry they had been very successful growing crops. The father was very energetic , a real farmer, and had passed that on to his sons. They had started out paying on their land, and then they had missed a payment even though they'd been making a profit on their crops. It looked like he was taking money that should have gone to land payments and put it into things that would enhance his production like paying a tractor to plow his land, buying fertilizer, etc... or spent it on family stuff. AGROS , not being a bank, depends on people paying back loans so they have money to help others in the community with projects and developing. They had to press hard, giving him a dead-line to pay the missed payment and the next one (with missed payments interest starts to pile up). They family was upset that a certain percentage of the next harvest was ear-marked for debt payment. "What will we live on?" "Can you get AGROS to lighten up". The family said the last harvest hadn't been that good, though AGROS had carefully evaluated the value of their produce. 2 things came up. One was that they were trying to help a daughter, whose husband had been killed, leaving her with 2 young children. The other was that our friend had borrowed money from friends. I was grateful for our friend Carmen who carefully worked to translate the whole story. I was thankful for Frank who is an excellent arbitrator/peace-maker.I felt like we were wrestling as we listened and prayed and asked questions and explained things.
We visited another home, that of the young woman who had died. They were ready to leave and they wanted their money back, which they'd put into the farm. They were angry and full of blame for those they thought responsible for their daughter's death. We listened ...and listened. Then Frank shared gently how the Devil's work was spreading lies. That's how he destroys people and communities. He spoke of Jesus, how his message was of how God loves us , forgives us, and calls us to Himself. That's how He heals and saves people and builds up communities. It seemed that just being there even when we had no words that God's Spirit moved through us. All through the week and even now our friends and the challenges they face there on the hard ground of Honduras move my thoughts. Sometimes it"s like a cement-mixer and sometimes like a fountain.
Each night as a team we discuss the events of the day. Sometimes I feel that this is when we really get to work as we express our hopes and fears for this village, this country, and these people. The sense that God is here, is very strong. We care, but He cares even more.
Til later, Gilberto.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Planting Watermelons and Playing Bingo
Hi all!
Today several of us are out in the fields. We're planting watermelons and it's hot. I wish I had one right now. Did I put my sun screen on? Where did I leave my water bottle? Using measuring sticks ( 2 & 1/2 feet long)we work our way down the row, making a small hole an inch deep into which we drop 2 seeds cover them and move on. The seeds are slightly red, that's from an herbicide, we have to be careful not to rub our eyes, mouths, or noses. There are tiny ants that you don't see until they bite you on the wrists or ankles. I don't know how I'd make it as a farmer, doing this kind of work all day long, every day.
A van rolls up announcing ice cream and sandwiches on it's loudspeaker. Somebody's noticed that the gringos are in town. We resist the call.
We engage in other projects too. Some help with the construction of chicken runs. Families are looking to keep the birds out of their gardens. I think of our 3 chickens back in Seattle. What fun they'd have if they could get into our garden.
The community is building a greenhouse where they will nurture baby plantains (kind of a starchy banana), which they'll sell to other communities who are starting plantations. The greenhouse is covered with a fabric that will keep out bugs and plant diseases, rocks along the base to keep out rabbits, and protection from harsh sun. There will be an decontamination chamber so that whoever comes in and out can wash off, keeping diseases out. There will be a spray irrigation set up as well. Our farmers are learning some pretty sophisticated techniques.
I like working on the greenhouse. I think it's because we're all working in pretty close proximity and are able to talk to each other as well as see what each other are doing. We are impressed by Erasmo's skill doing carpentry with a machete. I learned a technique for notching a 2 by 4 with 2 simple cuts!
Though things have been rough because of some of the problems I mentioned in the previous letter, there have been breakthroughs. Catalino, one of the farmers who has succeeded in growing high quality plantains was able, with help from Agros, to negociate a contract with a major distributor. He now has standing orders for his fruit as soon as it comes ripe.
Getting enough water has been a continual challenge for the village. A plan is in the works to look at drilling a well. This will require a scientific survey and would be expensive. If successful it would be a major benefit to the community which now depends on an insufficient source of water piped from miles away.
While some of us were in the fields others were with mothers and children around the community center. Barbara introduced a game that caught on like wildfire: Alphabet Bingo. Whenever someone got a bingo, they received a crown. Vive Jorge el Primero! Vive Maria la Primera!... Even kids who didn't know their alphabet before were starting to get it. Later we had adults joining in, too. One of our group had made coloring books using photos from the previous trip made very,very light. Perfect for coloring. The whole village turned out to be full of artists!
Getting these kids into school and staying there through elementary levels, I think may be one of the biggest changes in the lives of these people. This year a teacher has started coming out to the village, teaching first through fifth grades. Sixth graders go to a school in the little town two miles down the road. There's a high school about 10 miles away.
Bye for now! Gilberto.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Agros, Bethany, & Nuevo Amanecer.
Hola Amigos!
Much hotter here in North Honduras. San Pedro Sula is in the broad flat of stretch of the country that extends northward to the Carribean, The "Mosquito Coast". This is where Chiquita Banana grew up. You can read about the history of the United Fruit Company in a book called "Prision Verde" by Ramon Amaya Amador. San Pedro Sula is the commercial center of Honduras, lots of "maquiladoras" ( tax free foreign factories) here , lots of crime, lots of AIDS cases, but mainly just a lot of people and a lot going on.
My friends , a team of 8 from my church in Seattle, Bethany Presbyterian, had arrived just a couple hours before me. They had just dug themselves out of the snow and ice. I was very happy to see them.
We headed out the next morning for Jesus de Otoro, a fair sized town not in the guide books, between Siguatepeque and Esperanza. This will be our base, since it's just over an hour from the community of Nuevo Amanecer where our farmer friends live.
It's a bumpy ride down a dirt road. We pass oxen pulling a cart with wheels and axles taken from an old car, yards decorated with laundry hung on the fences and guarded by skinny sleeping dogs and strutting roosters, hillsides dotted with maguey (century plant)... dry and dusty and dead looking but brightened by yellow and purple and red blossoms (trees here wait for the dry season to bloom... more pollinators). We get to the driveway, I recognize a twisted "kneeling " tree. That's my " Bearing Tree" or reference point here. At the end of the road is the soccer field, and the ground from which the adobe bricks were cut, bricks used to build this village.
We clamor out of the bus and up the trail, over the creek ( nearly dry now), under a giant gangly Higuera ( fig tree), and around the back side of the hill where Nuevo Amanecer sits.
Despite the green and yellow balloons strung up around the space outside the community center and the smiles on the faces of our friends, I can feel a little tension. Earlier we learned that a young woman had died only a couple of days ago. She suddenly fell ill back in November and had to be taken to hospital where she was in a coma for a time and had to undergo dialysis. The doctors could not say what caused her illness, beyond saying that she died of kidney failure. Unfortunately, her family have accused a neghbor of giving her a drink that caused the illness that killed her. They have threatened this woman and are demanding that she leave. They see the Devil's hand in the death of their daughter. We are seeing the Enemy spreading lies that threaten to tear apart the community and the work of many over years and years.
Even though this is an agricultural project with material goals of developing the land , building houses, growing and selling produce, paying off loans, etc. We are reminded that the major work is spiritual, building unity, encouraging hope, growing vision, nurturing love, learning to forgive, ... All of us have renewed our commitment to pray for our friends. We realize more than ever that we are here to help people talk, to be listeners, to provide emotional and spiritual support.
My Bible study in Psalms 78:9-25 reminds me of the role of faith in every human effort. If God's people break covenant, no matter how strong, no matter how well equipped , they won't finish the fight.We have to live God's way. We've got to remember who he is and what he's done in our lives and others.
I think of the agronomist, Enrique and the social worker, Sandra who are here almost every day dealing with these issues and am very grateful.
Til later, Gilberto.
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