Autumn Update

The weather has yet to turn completely dour here in Portland. I'm told October 31st is the cutoff. After that, we can expect rain until the 4th of July. So I'm trying to take advantage of these last few weeks of sunshine. It's been a bit chillier, in the 60's most days, which is pretty near perfect and is keeping my electric bills at an astounding $25/month!

I did a great camping trip on Labor Day weekend with Candice up to the Lewis River area in Washington. I wish I'd done more hiking this summer, but with gas being so expensive, I've definitely started to lean more toward biking. I've done a fair number of good rides this summer. Two 100-mile rides with one more to come, a bike camping trip to Bagby Hot Springs 40 miles each way, and this morning a "metric" century, a 64 mile ride out of Salem. That's what this picture is from. That's my friend Patty who came with me along with two of her friends.

A few weeks ago, I did a solo 70-mile ride down to Canby Ferry, a 6-car electric ferry that crosses the Willamette into the town of Canby, known for its vast dahlia farms. For all the pretty flowers, I unfortunately didn't find a single convenience store or restaurant and had to bike the 35 miles back to the city on an empty stomach.

But it was a beautiful ride, and I got to see two forms of rare Northwest wildlife along the way. I spotted both a coyote AND a John McCain poster in someone's yard. One guess as to which one was closer to the town of Portland. I found the coyote in Riverview Cemetary within the city limits. The McCain poster was in Canby at the farthest spot on my ride. I weathered both sitings safely and lived to tell the tale.

I had hoped to make it back to town for Bento and a beer at the Lucky Lab brewpub, but the lack of food took its toll. Around mile 60, I started to crash hard. I got lost in Southwest Portland, started walking my bike, and my brain cells started interpreting my map as an inexplicable set of squiggly lines. Just a few miles short of the Lucky Lab, I spotted a Pizza Schmizza and settled for that. I had to sit for a good 20 minutes to get myself together again for the 5 mile ride back to my place. I believe I had a good nap that day.

This weekend, Patty and I are planning a bike camping trip to Trillium Lake on Mt. Hood with a group. And the weekend after that is the Harvest Century Ride. And I've finally decided to invest in a new bike! I have someone building one for me, so unfortunately it won't be ready before any of the rides I'm planning. But I'm sure I'll get some use of it next year.

There isn't much other news. I've been working, spending time with Patience, restoring some furniture, and knitting a new hat in my spare time. Part of me is looking forward to the turn in weather so I can go into hibernation mode for a little while and settle into my place more. I LOVE my townhouse and am so glad I made the leap! Until next time...