A last week whirlwind.

After leaving PDX, it was off to Vail, CO. What a treat to hang out with shan. Days filled with river floats, gondola rides, 4wd driving- and nights with meteor showers, chats and movies.

Being away from the familiar, then finding it again gives me so much appreciation for what I know and love.

A teary goodbye and off to SFO. One again so thankful to be able to go to the lounge! Melbourne was worth it.

Three days in SFO, 65km on the bike and 40 in my Birkenstock’s needless to say I have a new appreciation for the typography of the city!

Thankful for the people, places and opportunities I’ve been blessed with in the journey- and my lux flight home.

Glad to be back on home soil, surely more time to process is required.

New habits formed I hope will be retained. Making space, keeping things simple, enjoying the richness of being in friendship with others and appreciating this wonderful place I get to call Home.

There we have it. Another three weeks that’s changed me in all sorts of ways.

Till next time.

Newport to Portland

Back to the big smoke. My body like to wake up with the light, like 6am light- just as well as the bus left at 8 and I needed to give the tent a really good wipe down before packing it up.

One last morning routine, read, pack, oats, finish packing, tent, strap it all in then off we go.

A sleepy bus ride-spent googling a place to stay in San Fran (successful).

Back to the bike shop, where they gave me a hefty discount (after the wee mishap with a broken spoke) and some great advice about what to do with the rest of the afternoon.

Back on public transport and up to Pittock Mansion. The most divine activity yet. A sweaty hike up the road- a brief walk around the gardens and found a nice spot in the shade to sit.

A hiker was next to me, is both just enjoying the view. 45 mins must’ve passed; I got further through my book and he left- only to come back with a note. A letter with words he’d felt the Spirit had told him to pass on. It was so full of confirmation it was nuts. Like crazy. A walk through the forest back to civilisation (through what must’ve been one of Portland’s more expensive suburbs) I was praying and wow, what joy I have to know Jesus.

Washing and pack up. Dinner at XLB across the road and all set for a 3.30am wake up tomorrow.

Colorado here we come!

Lincoln city to Newport.

I woke early, as early as possible to get to somewhere I’d rather be.

Newport it was; and down to the old part of town, watching boats come and go, the nostalgic smell of fish and timber, and a chorus of sea lions barking in the background.

A perfect little spot for a not so little pancake breakfast!

Sitting, reading for hours was so nice. Then off to the campground to setup before bussing up to the lighthouse.

A rather... enlightening bus experience. Another driver training the driver... and well being more of a tourist guide than anything!

A lighthouse clothed in fog, another bridge... also trying to emerge out if the mist.

A chill day, one last night tenting before I’m back to the city.

Rest.

Silent exchange

A shared space of silence waxes and wanes.

Thoughts and moments toss and turn.

Gods hand working, changing us, forming us, for what we can’t hope to earn.

For a gift is a gift, receive as we may.

For today I delight that he’s gives it away.

A heart so full, a mind do clear, feet warm from walking he’ll find me here, and he’ll find me there.

Cape Lookout to Lincoln City

I woke with such excitement to climb the hill just outside camp and make it to Newport.

The day however had different plans.

I roared up the hill, through the fog, saw a glimpse of sunshine before racing back down the hill again.

Made it to a blackberry patch, found out I’d whizzed last my dedicated snack point, and on Eddy and I went.

Up the next few hills to a lookout where it was snacktime.

I was making great headway, only 10am and already over a 1/3 of the way. About to set off again and alas, a puncture!

So roadside tube change, we were off again, however Eddy was limping terribly. A spoke had broken and the back wheel was definitely lacking tension!

Rolling down the hill to Neskowin, a 3 hour wait (sunbathing so it was not so bad) for a bus to take me to Lincoln city for the night.

Arriving in a place you hadn’t planned to be, one that is close to the road, few people to talk to, it was the first night I’d felt quite alone.

A walk shower and dinner always helps, a rest and up in the morning to bus to Newport and find a bike shop, ready to tour the lighthouses and what I can of the rest of the coast before back to PDX, and the comfort of the known on Friday.

Rest day

Not much to report today. Had breakfast and farewelled my biker buddies, got back into bed and read, schemed about what else I could do with my remaining two days.

What a blessing mobile data is!

A walk down the beach, making my way through the fog.

Dinner and day done.

Nehalem Bay state park to Cape Lookout State Park What a day this was. Getting up early to pack and have some quiet time, almost leaving and meeting another guy who’s cycling to San Fran. We all planned to rendezvous at the cheese factory in a couple of hours and set off. The road was nice, estuaries and coast and seaside towns. Then the Tillamook cheese factory! A massive place filled to bursting with people. The line for tasters was huuuge, so bypassed that and just bought some cheddar to have with pasta for dinner. So the initial plan was to stop here for the night, but the legs are holding out, and the idea of having a whole rest day was too good to pass up! So on I went. Met up with Simon (from camp) but the others were still 40mins or so out so on the two of us went. Supermarket for the most enjoyed nectarine in a while; then off to find a light house. Arriving in Netarts and discovering we’d missed a right hand turn was time for a decision- take the shortcut and just go to camp, or ride the hills to the light house twice? The hills it was. Only to arrive at the lighthouse all but 10 minutes too late to go on the tour. Oh the hilarity. 11 miles to camp, two big hills and we were there. Simon was a legend. With only 10 gears he had to grind up the hills (and so graciously waited for me at the top) meanwhile I was spinning away in my granny gear. Making it to camp, discovering a fuel canister was up for grabs (I was in desperate need of more fuel! Provision once again) and regrouping with Rachel, Christel and Simon for dinner and chats was the best. A little bit of community on the road, people to share the journey with. Another crazy Czech cyclist joined us for dinner who was cycling north, here there and everywhere. Such inspiring people! End of day, hoping no raccoons will disturb my sleep. Waves crashing down the coast like a rushing river. Peace.

Fort Stevens to Nehalem Bay state park. Packing up a dry tent, first win of the day! Second, being gifted a lighter by a couple who had just finished bikepacking across America! (And I had just run out of matches) how’s that for divine provision?! Setting out in the fog again, past lost of coastal towns, a couple of gnarly hills, a very frightening tunnel, and a reward at the top as the fog lifted and the endless coast was all there was to see. Arriving early enough to setup camp, hang out the washing, sunbathe and shower was so nice. The forest here is incredible, the green and light. Elk walking around the park, squirrels and chipmunks darting around. Met another two women biking the coast, one enroute to Sanfran, the other to San Diego. Biking buddies for tomorrow, provision of a different kind once again.

(Big Eddy’s) Vernonia to Fort Stevens State Park Another day. Another 105km. At the campsite yesterday I met 3 guys who were cycling much the same route, although with less stuff, more training and definitely slightly more, how could I say... agile...bikes. After their hospitality (and a welcome beverage) they recommended I check out a brew co in Astoria. Turns out with their slightly longer scenic route we turned up at the same time. Richard, Kurt and Jay-it was great. Thanks for taking me under your wing! Best sweet potato fries I’ve had. The ride today was a little gruelling, well at least to the top of the rather gruelling hill. Panniers are definitely an experience. Coasting down after the top was so rewarding 3+ miles of very little pedalling! The scenery was beautiful, from the morning ride through mist (which yes was misty) along past the elk reserve, more magnificent forests, then finally out to the river mouth. The State Park is amazing! Hot showers, picnic tables, designated-ish sites and even a fancy charging tower! Part of this trip was to take some time out, reflect and spend time with God. Really appreciating needing some sort of dependence, not knowing exactly how it will all go to plan has been humbling. Another night in the tent, hoping no critters will nibble at my food supply. Great day. I better rest well as the ol body sure needs it!

Portland to Vernonia 71.4km 4hr10min Riverside camping at Bid Eddy’s. My first solo camping experience in the US. Met some lovely lawyers who were willing to share their knowledge-and beer. After a long day, and what I think will be a longer harder one tomorrow, I’m counting on God to give me strength and resilience. Biking with panniers is a new experience, along with a ah... less agile bicycle of an early vintage makes it interesting. All that said, I’m ready to continue he adventure, meet more wonderful people and see where it leads me. I still pray for safety and wisdom while on the roads, for perseverance and for the concept of time to wash away. Rivers flow, time forgets; For what’s held within- It’s limits are boundless. Like us created- Yet free form the bonds of chrono Without it creation persists.

Touristing. Wandering/ speed walking around the city, getting lost every now and then, ending up at REI co-op. The best outdoors store ever. It felt like Christmas walking in there. A few supplies checked off the list and then onto 23rd street for a vanilla latte at barista (delicious!) and all the ice cream tasters in the world at salt and straw. The walking tour continued up to the Japanese gardens with a chance trip through the international rose gardens on the way. The Japanese gardens were so peaceful (regardless of the hordes of people). Such a representation of how beautiful design and simplicity can bring calm. Then racing downtown again to catch a tour bus out to the gorge, a fish hatchery and Multnomah Falls. Some city and some nature, just what I needed. Some final shopping, then back to the hostel. XLB for dinner just up from the hostel, where my choice to go solo riding was once again questioned! But delicious food! One more sleep in comfort then off into the wilderness we go!

A day of planning, and re-planning. Weds. With newfound enthusiasm to bike less and go to Colorado I started with replanting my route. Weighing up the hazard of wildfires and where buses could and couldn’t take me back to Portland. The morning passed, failing to book tickets online I made my way east on the max to find a united ticket office. Google actually sent me to the middle of nowhere. Then the airport hoping for better luck, but no. Turns out I just needed to persevere a little more, clear my cache again and voila. Tickets booked after. 2hr scenic trip on public transport. Then to see Abraham who fixes bikes for some touring advice. He gave me a cool new route to take, a bit of cycle train to start me off then all the way up the coast. Before going down. Turns out this makes it easier on all fronts and gives me a bit more Lee-way. So time to adjust the spreadsheet again! Off to the hire shop to sort out the change etc and then Home to chill. Random, busy, but productive day.

A long transit day. Up at 5 to train down the coast to Portland. Arrived at the hostel at 5. Solid 12 hours. Beautiful scenery passed by as we traced our way around the coast. Harbour towns, amazing bridges, crops and all sorts of industry. It’s big. The arrival was a little ahh deflating? No signage, it was even hotter than Vancouver but a saving grace was found in another woman who was looking for the bus. The day just got better from there... once I arrived to a gorgeous house, the homeliest hostel I’ve been to I could relax. Phone calls with Shannon and Han, a decision to change my travel followed by an enlightening conversation about the sense of tension with Lorenzo and David. A change of tact will now have me hopefully only riding 8 days- and only half the distance. A wise and needed choice- and I’m adding in Colorado instead! Resigning myself to the decision ended up with a great sense of relief, wisdom from prayer greatly received. Now another set of logistics problems to tackle. But tomorrow’s another day.

A varied mismatched city from the outside. Last day in Vancouver was an opportunity to escape the city proper and spend some time in the forest. After fighting my way across town with luggage in tow, made it to my next hostel-and another part of town. A fairly ramshackle feeling, like I wouldn’t want to be out too late. A couple of hours dozing through the heat of the day and off into town again. A trip to Capilano, a suspension bridge in the forest was beautiful. The bus aircon being the first bonus, then the grandeur of the tall trees and the canyon below. After racing around all of the boardwalks I suddenly realised the sadness of the tourism. No one seemed to be enjoying the simplicity of the forest, taking time to breathe the fresh air (including myself) till I sat and read for a while. After sitting so long I even had a visitor, a rather inquisitive squirrel. Back to the thick of the city for a cycle around Stanley Park. Trees and a cycle path dotted with people dawdling along, views of lions gate bridge and then back into the city. A final detour across to the north shore on the ferry to take in the skyline and sunset. The city seems to be full of pockets of beauty and pain. A moment filled me with joy as I saw a man who was handing out a massive cake to homeless as he walked down the street, he lost his balance, twirled then regained his footing. The look of relief on his face that he hadn’t dropped it was delightful.

A day of divine intervention. God really does have the most incredible sense of timing. Right when I needed it, an email from a friend, and a message from another. After a sleepless night- more like a night lacking in sleep, I woke to bagels for breakfast, a trip across town to Church and caught up with a friend from home. Church was just what I needed, a time and place to feel grounded, and connected. It’s sweltering hot here again today-but who am I to complain. The sun is shining and it doesn’t burn! Michelle and I ended up at the UBC campus where we lunched, drank nz wine, and chatted about all sorts. The new question on my mind is.... when we design for people, what is it that defines how we see people and what their needs are? So people know what they need? Do I know what people need? What are the assumptions by which we design? Food for thought. Rhythms to begin, fears to lay aside. Another beautiful day.

A day of divine intervention. God really does have the most incredible sense of timing. Right when I needed it, an email from a friend, and a message from another. After a sleepless night- more like a night lacking in sleep, I woke to bagels for breakfast, a trip across town to Church and caught up with a friend from home. Church was just what I needed, a time and place to feel grounded, and connected. It’s sweltering hot here again today-but who am I to complain. The sun is shining and it doesn’t burn! Michelle and I ended up at the UBC campus where we lunched, drank nz wine, and chatted about all sorts. The new question on my mind is.... when we design for people, what is it that defines how we see people and what their needs are? So people know what they need? Do I know what people need? What are the assumptions by which we design? Food for thought. Rhythms to begin, fears to lay aside. Another beautiful day.

Another adventure awaits. This time a teaser of Canada and the Pacific North West. Multiple lists, endless thoughts and hopefully just enough planning later...I’m filled with a little worry, a bit of uncertainty but mostly excitement. Task one and two complete. Bags are packed...and weighing in at 9kg I think I’ll be thankful for my scrupulous packing when I pop that on the back of my bike! Successfully at the airport...with two hours to spare, yes work travel buddies-turns out I can even be early sometimes! My aim is to blog every few days, my suspicion is I’ll be needing to find things to do to pass the time while I rest my glutes in the afternoons. My hope is that I’ll meet all sorts of interesting people, encounter beautiful landscapes, not see any bears, and really enjoy some time living in the utmost simplicity. The cheese and crackers of Koru are calling, bye for now.