If the entire trip is like today, this will be very entertaining. Began this morning at 6:30A leaving the Lighthouse Inn heading to the North Jetty where we would say a ceremonious goodbye to the Pacific. Not only did it add 11 miles, but required hiking over the rocks and sand with our loaded bikes just to touch that darn ocean. But it was a beautiful beginning. I was just so relieved to finally hit the road heading East. Lots of road kill - ran over a dead raccoon and saw vultures feasting on a deer. Met Kitty, the postmaster in Walton, OR. Passing through the tunnel on 126 was frightening as cars fly by you at 55 mph, not 30 mph as posted when the warning lights indicate that cyclists are in the tunnel. My quads were tired and I started to worry but Advil and 40+ more miles solved that.

Eddie and I decided to take the "Alternate Route" on the Adventure Cycling (AC) map into Eugene. Bad idea. Gusty winds, logging trucks and narrow shoulders resulted in a very stressful final 20 miles in Eugene. Eugene is very bike friendly. Hungry and tired - the campsite was another 10ish miles - we opted for a cheap hotel. Anxious for tomorrow and actually camping! Hope Eddie's IT band feels better tomorrow.

This morning's ceremonial pacific coast ass wetting went splendidly. I walked to the water's edge and waited for the perfect wave. The perfect wave swept up and soaked my shoes, my bike, and my ego. A perfect start. Meg's attempt was more successful. She delicately dipped her wheel and that was that. The trip had begun. Somewhere between our mild mannered training regime, my week of drinking, and the 1/2 lb of snot nestled in my nose, I had forgotten how heavy a loaded bike actually is. 4000 + miles no problem. Self-denial is a wonderful opiate.