I was thinking...

As I was riding along, current audio book download finished playing, no signal for Pandora, I was thinking about the expectations and surprises we've had on our trip.

There was no sign saying "You are leaving Washington" or "Now entering Oregon"  so I couldn't capture the photographic moment.

We have found that not many people are impressed that we are riding this route.  There are too many cyclists all the time passing in both directions.  In fact, there are traffic signs when there is no shoulder reminding drivers that there will be bicycles in the roadway.  Every major bridge and tunnel has a light indicator for cyclists to activate when entering, to alert drivers to look for a bicycle in the passage. 

We have met many cyclists going both directions, although many more headed south than north.  They all have the same guide book we've read about cycling the Pacific Coast.
It's fun to talk to them, everyone is enthusiastic.  Most visit a little and then speed off.  Many are from foreign countries.

Camping isn't as hard as I thought it would be.  Peter makes it fun.  The rain stays out of the tent and it hasn't really been cold.  Peter heats water with our little stove and we make noodles and oatmeal and hot chocolate.  Then we ride somewhere and I get coffee!

Pulling the trailer isn't that bad.  I am going about 5 mph slower that I would without it.  When the wind blows against it, or when I'm tired, it kind of feels like riding with a flat.  The first few days I kept stopping and looking to see if something was wrong!

Also-  No other cyclists on the road are wearing cleats.  I got sold a bill of goods about the shoes!  I think they are mostly for racing.  Although they are nice to have on the hills, they are mostly unsafe.  They get slippery when it rains and they leak.  If I have to stop in a hurry, it's always stressful, even though I haven't fallen again.  Thank God.  They are uncomfortable to walk very far in them.  So I put on my flip flops a lot for walking.

The scenery is gorgeous!  Everyday I wish I could take more pictures than I do, but one has to be reasonable.  The people we've met are all very nice and mostly chatty.  It's been much more sociable this time.

Peter is a very determined and strong person.  Even when he is totally worn out, he keeps going. 

The main thing is that we haven't crashed into each other yet.  Knock on wood.