Doping with nature

I always thought that, despite being hefty for a cyclist, I was more of a climber than anything else. I'm no Charly Gaul, but at least I find enjoyment and satisfaction in going up hills. This last week has reaffirmed this notion for me -- if I'm not going up hills, flat riding's just not super awesome.

However, having a huge tailwind at your back, pushing you along at 22 mph up hills, 29 mph on flats is something I won't argue with. 50 miles covered in 2.5 hours had me feeling like a small beast. Having this wind turn on me while browsing fine myrtlewood crafts, and subsequently covering 25 miles in just under 2 hours, had me feeling like I should wear these.

It seems that I'm moving quickly enough that this will be my last night in Oregon. At dinner, a family of raccoons came to our window, and I saw both a sea lion and a sea otter in the restaurant's pier. This felt appropriate. I will miss this state, even if it decided to be extra cold while I was here. Probably a way to dupe me into returning when the weather is finer.

This was my favorite sight today. This is at the entrance to the Prehistoric Gardens, which I'll have to return to if I want to say I lived a full life.

Finally, I want to let the TRC know that I have been eating my candy immediately following every ride. Really. They're called Flicks. They're basically milk chocolate nonpareils without the nonpareils. Would this make them pareils? Anyway, the website says they beat Hershey Kisses in a taste test, but that's like saying you beat a 1992 Ford Taurus Station Wagon in a drag race. Not taking anything away from the Taurus, a fine vehicle, but it's no Reese's PB Cup, 5th Avenue, or Skor.
I was immediately leery of the fact that the company describes the candy as a "chocolate-flavored wafer" instead of "chocolate." The next eyebrow-raiser was the warning that this candy was a choking hazard. Unusual, but they make a point -- all food minus jell-o should come with that warning. Perhaps a sign at the entrance to all groceries: CHOKING HAZARD ZONE.

Finally, I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who helped me reach my fundraising goal. It's quite strange to think anyone would take any inspiration from me, but I'm really happy to know that so many friends and friends-of-friends think I'm doing something good. What I'm doing wouldn't really be worth anything to the world if you guys weren't so giving.

Signing off in Gold Beach, where the stars are lovely.