- Mom, my legs feel so strong!
I had to admit - my legs, too, are feeling positively steely - at least first thing in the morning when I stretch out of bed.
Al's been doing her stretches.
After a long biking day, she now knows to lift her legs to clear the toxins from her lower body.
Andrea suggested that we get pictures of Al's legs all along this journey and see how they change.
Al's legs are definitely stronger than the days of tango.
Yesterday she was helping lead the group as we sped downhill to Ontario.
But today would be our last day with our new friends, Gale and Carl.
These two wise old MDs had hung in the back of the pack with me for the last 7 days.
But they had only signed up to bike the first leg of our journey - Astoria to Boise.
So this would be their last biking day.
So Al chooses to stay back with her friends today and chat...
...and eat...
and enjoy the scenery...
She sees workers in the onion fields that remind her of her work last summer at Tomato Mountain in Wisconsin.
We look longingly at the water washing over the fields hoping for some spray to wash over and cool our bodies.
Biking along with Gale the miles fly by with pleasure...
He's such a pleasure to talk with...
politics
medicine
old tv shows
Sometimes we get a hard time from the local drivers...
We stop at the the Sand Hollow cafe for pie a al mode...
...and we're back on the road just as Carl arrives on the scene...
Al and I cruise along alone now...
...stopping sometimes when the road ahead looks daunting...
We know it's going to get hot...
...but Foothill Road is so charming...
On the left beautiful homes with lovely gardens...
....and on the right farms and fields...
Horses in the sun...
and goats hiding in the shade...
A local man stops to tell us about his friend who biked around the world...
I spot three calves that remind me of Alex, Nicky and KC...
And Al spots a red-tailed hawk - our 7th!
That's seven dollars for Flight, Barry!
We're enjoying our day and making good time (for us)...
...when Al gets a flat tire.
We call for help...
I try to help out - removing the wheel and struggling with the tire...
Al just looks forlorn...
Luckily the gold van arrives...
Jim is there to save the day....
I bike on ahead and take my time...
talking to cows...
....enjoying the rose gardens...
Aren't they lovely?
But remember they have thorns...
and beyond the thorny rose bushes are brambles...
And, as I know from my land back home...
...with thorns come beauty and sweetness...
Mmmmm....
Everyone around here knows to stay in shade as the sun reaches its zenith...
...except these poor cows in a feed lot...
But Al and I keep biking in the 101 degree heat...
As we hit the outskirts of Boise she is still perky - enjoying the flowery street names...
I'm pretty whupped - just dreaming of the upcoming a/c...
To our delight we reach the little cafe in Hyde Park at the same time as our old friends, Gale and Carl.
Carl looks so relieved that the ride is almost over.
And Gale is just happy to be sitting in shade...
We lounge over hummus and sandwiches...
Then off for the final 2 miles to the hotel...
Carl, like the horse going to the barn, leads the way...
...past the Capitol building....
around the corner to the Marriott Courtyard...
At our evening Route Rap, Gale and Carl say good-bye to the group with a song...
They go back to Duluth in the morning...
And Al and I will finally get a day of rest in Boise, Idaho
2 comments:
yay day of rest =D and Al why do you keep getting flats? You should learn how to fix them yourself!
Just read your info on the Lake Michigan ferry. Can't wait to see you two.
Looks like you're right on pace. Keep up the good work.
I am enjoying the photos and text from your daily experiences. You're becoming an accomplished photographer, Helen.
WHAT A LIFE EXPERIENCE! I'm so happy for you.
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