Day 57-Yorktown to Florence-4133 terrific miles

She said: It was hard to believe it was going to be our last day planning on where to meet, when to meet, where we would stay, and making sure Paul was supplied with water, Gatorade, granola bars, and spare tire tubes....but the day started the same as it has for the past 56, discussing all of that. So, we were to meet in Deadwood-about 51 miles from Eugene. I left Eugene and expected to pass Paul about the 45 mile mark or so. Well, just to keep the day interesting-got to Deadwood and no Paul. Of course there was no cell phone service through that area so there was no way to see if I had missed him, or he went on up ahead. After driving another 10 miles, I knew Paul's speed had improved over the course of the trip, but I also knew there was no way he had gotten that far. Turned around and headed back to Deadwood-still no Paul...drove back another 8 miles and there he was-pedaling toward me with a big smile on his face and a big wave. Seems he stopped to get a bite to eat-which took alot longer than planned-like 1 1/2 hours-seems he met some nice people-and they got to talking.....I thought I had lost him on the last day! Well, after a rest stop in Deadwood we were off to Florence. I went ahead to the "dipping" site, parked the car and took off on the bike to meet up with Paul...he decided he wanted company pedaling to the end. We met up about 6 miles from the end and pedaled back together. After a long search for an easy spot to get to the water, and a long walk, Paul dipped his tire in the Pacific. Thus ends this part of our amazing adventure. I can't put into words how proud I am of him. I saw first hand the mountains, passes, stretches of never ending road, bad road conditions, and bad weather he suffered through...he did a fantastic job! He said: maneuvered thru the streets of Eugene to a 6 mile bike path to the outside of the city.those bike paths are great. once outside the city i had one hill to climb about 24 miles away. there was a small cafe before the hill so i stopped for breakfast number 2. alot of friendly people , with no one in a hurry. it was real nice, felt like i lived there. i had 2 eggs, bacon, homemade wheat toast and a large oj for $4.75 with friendly conversation, tips for the road ahead and wellwishing. i was there for about an hour and a half and i guess that is where Sharon lost track of me, oh well. climbed the hill and the elevation topped out at 1000', not 1004 or 1012, but according to the sign exactly 1000. from there it was 50 miles to Florence, theoretically all downhill (so i wouldn't even have to pedal) and i figured i was behind schedule so i booked to our meeting spot, Deadwood, and got to see Sharon coming the other way. gave her a big wave as she passed and after she turned around and passed me again i could have sworn she yelled "idiot" out the window. well you all know how the wind plays tricks with your hearing when you are flying down the road so what she told me later was that she had said "see you in Deadwood honey." nice pb&j lunch in D, and then the final 27 miles to the finish. pretty uneventful ride , Sharon had ridden 5 miles out to meet me which was nice, and we rode the last 5 miles to the beach together. so much for easy access, i had to carry my bike a quarter mile thru the dunes to dip the tire, complaining the whole time, but it was worth it as we finished like we started, together and in relatively good spirits (AS usual Sharon more so than me) got a nice room for the night, emptied the car, cleaned and reorganized, took showers and went out for pizza (it is after all friday night) i wish someone could make good pizza west of the mississippi but you can't have everything (where would you put it) second leg of the journey starts tomorrow. 83 miles

now that is what a Christmas tree farm should look like. all the treesare shaped, full , and the old has all been pulled out and the earth retilled or whatever they do to get ready for new plantings.this wasn't unusual in this area, more par for the course . maybe they aren't subsidized by the towns.

Ditto. Don't they look nice enough to decorate?

All done and off to do the dipping.

Thumbs up Wakelys!

"Do you have that camera figured out yet?"

At the Pacific. Finally got the camera figured out.