Whitney is in the bed next to us-what time is it? He says 5:15-oh NO I say-wake up again at 6:58-out the door at 7:30.  Go 12 m–see Jean & Lynn at little store-sit on bench-ch mk & muffin.  Had several (many) long SLOW climbs-total of 3,444 ft elevation.  Good rds & views-rivers & mts today.  Get to ferry–Whitney is sitting there waiting for us (&ferry).  Little ferry-leaves on the hr-every hr.  1 min-captain sees bikers coming-Jean & Lynn just made it.  Now in Oregon–pass over Columbia River-Lewis & Clark passed this way.  Stop at little sandwich shop for lunch-see Jean & Lynn eating at gas station across street.  More long climbs w/great down hills-lots of traffic going into Astoria.  Get on bike path–hear loud noises-it’s sea lions–what a sight-wish we could get closer.  Jean & Lynn go by-we follow.  Stop at museum-tell Armand I want to watch 3D movie on sharks-not that good.  Continue to Astoria Riverside Motel ($88)-clean & nice.  I sit in warm tub for 30 min-Armand goes to bike shop ($80).  Go to Subway for dinner-map rap meeting in Jean’s room–Lynn & I talk–just want to know how far tomorrow.  Weather has been in the 60’s–rain is coming. 

65 miles  11.5 mph  (3-33mph)  5 hrs 47 min riding  (7:30-3:30)  3,445 ft elevation 

***On a sad note:  Donna’s (one of our cross country ladies) husband Roger died yesterday.  Our thoughts & prayers go your way–Roger was indeed a very special person & truly had a generous & giving spirit.***

Up at 7:00-out at 7:30  Whitney waiting outside door reading newspaper.  60-cold until 1st hill.  Unbelievable day for biking-all rds were smooth-scenery spectacular-almost no cars all day.  Good hills to climb-long straight down hills-got to 40 mph w/helmet flying behind head.  Passed my 1st biker today going uphill-he’s loaded w/camping equipment.  Whitney & Armand waiting for me at top of hill.  Other biker is right behind me.  His name is Ahti Auno from Finland.  Started in Anchorage, AK beginning of Aug-going to Mexico-picture of him on blog.  Stopped in Toledo (gateway to Mt. St. Helens)-no fresh donuts.  Whitney stayed w/us rest of day-short ride.  Went to 7-West Motel-looked like a dive-went to Timberland Inn & Suites-gave us a deal–$130 for suite-Whitney is sleeping w/us tonight.  Went to EL COMPADRE Restaurant for dinner w/Armand-absolutely the best Mexican food I’ve ever eaten–had shrimp enchiladas w/avocado.  Vote this the BEST DAY, BEST MOTEL, & BEST DINNER so far.

44.5 miles  11 mph (4-40 mph)  4 hrs of riding  climbed 1,300 ft

No clock in room-wake at 4:30 & 5:30–ask Armand for time-now 6:55!!  Hear them outside-brush teeth, dress, pack–out door in 7 min.  In 3 min bike up steep hill–4 in pack together ahead-I’m bringing up rear. Leave Jean & Lynn-I think I’m in the wrong group. Scenery is beautiful, trees & flowers line rd-feels like being in rain forest at times. Rds are good most of the time except for new rds made of rough gravel/tar asphalt (like TX)–felt like getting beat up by rd & I’m already very sore-very little traffic. At 30 m get to Elma–insist on getting donuts. At red light ask lady where I can get donuts–pts down the street to the rt. IA & Whitney are already at gas stations. Exxon doesn’t have them–IA (Iowa aka Armand) tries to tempt me w/pkg donuts-NO, I want fresh donuts. Whitney goes across street to Texaco for coffee–NO donuts–have to go to store. I lead pack to store. Hard to choose–finally pick jelly & chocolate covered–almost eaten before IA can pay. Sit on bench in store w/IA & Whitney standing over me–don’t hurry-want to enjoy every last bite. Good down hill–fly past them-in lead for 5 sec (like yesterday) before Whitney can’t stand it & flies past me. Whitney gets tired of our pace & leaves us. Take picture of calves enclosed w/little houses. Name of farm–AUSTIN ORGANIC FARM–take picture when AUSTIN family (Jim, Janie & Ron) come out to greet us. Tell them we’re from AUSTIN–invite us to tour farm. 1st one to use ROBOTIC milking equipment in area–had film crew out in morning. Everything is computerized-cows (about 170) produce 60 to 90 lbs a day & are milked 2 to 3 times each day. Cows come into milking area on their own–completely calm waiting for turn-walk into stall-sensors know where to go–sometimes they don’t want to leave-next cow knows it’s her turn & nudges cow out. Very impressive & very impressive family that would take so much time to show us around. Jim is 70 (looks much younger)-equipment comes from Sweden & costs about $450,000-farm has been in the family since mid 1800’s (I think). HILIGHT OF TRIP SO FAR!!!
1 m stop & eat hot dog–now can make it to CENTRALIA & Motel 6 ($50). Whitney has been in town for hrs-Jean & Lynn come in right behind us-everyone agrees best day so far. Map rap at MacD–tell them about farm-Gonsoulin’s grew up on farm-dad was a butcher. Whitney milked cows growing up (he’s a dr. now) & Armand took care of the little animals (chickens & pigeons). Whitney is suppose to wake us up tomorrow. Finish blog at 10:30–discover the entire blog was not published & lost-go to bed.
66.5 miles 12 mph (4-32 mph) 5 hrs 7 min rd time 1,600 ft of elevation