Transition

November 24, 2024

Sick or not, returning to Portland is a pleasant surprise so far. It helps that we’re greeted by a dry day and a city that at first look seems considerably cleaner and less chaotic than it did when we left last spring. It does feel like the place has turned a corner but there’s obviously still a lot of work ahead. If we could mentally factor out the impact of the last election, it’s possible to see the situation continue to rebound and regain its appeal over the next few years.

Neither of us is bursting with energy this morning, but we’re doing well enough to start hacking away at the return task list. We take a trip over to the storage unit to pull out our winter kit, and look at the tangle of furniture, boxes and miscellania again with the idea that we really should get serious about scrapping all the stuff we haven’t actually needed for seven years now. As a side note, one of the thoughts we brainstorm on from time to time is that eventually we might want to drop Portland as our base in America and move it south since that’s where we spend most of our winter time anyway. A significantly thinned out storage unit would leave us more nimble if we ever make that decision.

Other tasks get checked off the list also. We drive out to the Best Buy on Hayden Island to pick up Rachael’s new phone - a Samsung S24 with a built-in language translation function she’s anxious to experiment with. Maybe we can have a real conversation with Janos the next time we meet up! And I go by the downtown Pendleton store to get a new shirt to replace the one I’ve worn out. And go to the Apple Store to get a new iPad cover and chargers. And go to West End bikes to have them assess my ailing Bike Friday. I come out pleased that they say they’ll have it back to me within two weeks, which is perfect and better than I’d hoped for. As I expected, it’s getting a whole new drivetrain (chain, chainrings, rear cluster) and tires; but I was glad to hear that the derailleur and rotors are fine - so I must have done a passable job packing it for the flight.

We’re on the same floor of the same condo as we’ve been before, but with a west-facing window this time. I like the fallen ginkgo leaves on the roof below, and it’s interesting looking at the profile of the hills from here - I can see the notches where Balch Creek and Cornell cut in. Also, the view straight down toward the freeway is encouraging - I see only a single tent along the sidewalk, a big improvement over last year.

I’m happy we’ve made it back to see the glorious ginkgos in Lownsdale Square before they go bare for the winter.

Director’s Park looks brighter and more appealing now, more like a place you’d enjoy hanging out on a sunny afternoon.

So it’s been another nine months. If you’re like me you’ve gotten tired of scrolling to the bottom of such a long table of contents so let’s not drag it out further. Time to move on to a new chapter, one which is likely to appear sooner than later. You might be wondering what comes next for Team Anderson, and there are plans and possibilities that could be shared; but no sense spilling everything at once. We’ll just leave it for now with the fact that we’re heading south for the winter in two weeks, and we expect to go back to Europe for another nine month Schengen shuffle next spring. Details to follow, but not here.

And we’ll skip the insightful retrospective - no lessons learned, no statistics (except when Rachael reviewed this she suggests we not get sick as often next time as an important lesson learned). Instead, let’s just take a quick stroll through the past nine months and be reminded of where they went. Thank you all for joining us on our journey and for sharing your thoughts, insights and support through your comments. We hope you’ll come back and join us in the future.

Spring: Barcelona to Santander

March 5: approaching Alaró on Mallorca, an island we sadly didn’t make the most of because we both arrived sick.

March 13: admiring the astonishing Penyal d’Ifal in Calpe.

March 28: in Almeria, witnessing Semana Santa processions from the balcony of our apartment.

April 3: approaching the awesome Sierra Nevada range, on our ride to Gaudix.

April 5: west of Granada, on the way to Loja.

April 6: suffering on the horrible frontage road west of Loja.

April 16: with Suzanne, on the way to Mérida.

April 30: admiring the incomparable walls of Ávila.

Summer: Plymouth to Harwich

May 26: in Dartmoor, a place I really hope we get to see again someday.

May 29: also in magical Dartmoor, a place worth many shots.

June 2: a look you’ll see almost anywhere in the lumpy U.K., but this one’s on the way to Tiverton.

June 21: on a hike/bike from Llanidloes.

June 27: Eurasian curlew, near Pateley Bridge.

July 8: Climbing Blakey Ridge in the North York Moors, on our 36th wedding anniversary celebration.

July 11: Northern gannet, RSBP Bempton Cliffs .

Also on July 25th: a bonus slide, because Rachael wanted to remember it as her favorite hike of the year.

July 28: in the North Pennines, en route to Appleby-in-Westmorland. The high point of the summer.

August 6: Malham Cove, on a day ride/hike from Settle.

Autumn: Hook-of-Holland to Barcelona

August 25: waiting for the ferry across the Nieuwe Maas, Holland.

August 29: in Belgium, powering our way across the Damse Vaart Canal on our way to Bruges.

September 7: assessing the options in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme.

September 18: Thelma and Louise do Paris.

September 26: just can’t wait to get out of Marseille, an accidental destination.

September 27: with the Classens in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.

October 13: white on white, in the Camargue. Probably my favorite shot of the year. I love it that he’s chewing on a straw.

October 30: in Collioure. So did Rachael hike a thousand miles this year? We’ll have to check her log.

November 13: espying Espolla, on the climb to the Col de Banyuls.

November 15: working out the timing, Barcelona.

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Comment on this entry	Comment	24

Eva WaltersThank you for your wonderful entertaining journal. We looked forward to reading it every day. The vicarious touring was a great antidote to the depressing political news. So glad you’re going to keep writing. We look forward to following!
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3 weeks ago

Tricia GrahamBreakfast won’t be the same until you get on the move again! I have enjoyed your journal thankyou. Agree with Rachael I think it a good idea if you don’t get sick so frequently next time
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3 weeks ago

Scott AndersonTo Eva WaltersThanks so much for following again, Eva. I’m glad you find it worth your time, and like you I find it therapeutic.
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3 weeks ago

Scott AndersonTo Tricia GrahamThanks for following along, Tricia. I do hope we find ourselves in the same place at the same time someday. This could be the year!
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3 weeks ago

Rich FrasierIf you figure out a way to not get sick so much, please share it with the rest of us! :)
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3 weeks ago

Janice BranhamLove the highlight reel. It can't have been easy picking your favorites out of so many beautiful photos. Thanks for another great journal. I missed much of the trip through the UK, looking forward to checking out more of your journey.
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3 weeks ago

Scott AndersonTo Janice BranhamIt was hard at pick a set of favorites! As tired as I was on the flight home I loved going back through all of those photos and being reminded. England especially - I was amazed by one shot after another.
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3 weeks ago

Fern DavisThank you for another wonderful journey and for inviting us to travel along with you. The daily stories and pictures are always so entertaining. It's like reaching the end of a great novel, a bit sad that it is done but a feeling of accomplishment. Take care.
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3 weeks ago

Graham FinchI knew it wouldn't be too long before you hatched a plan.

I hope to be back in the UK next summer.
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3 weeks ago

Scott AndersonTo Graham FinchWell, that’s definitely in our sights also. We should make it happen this time.
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3 weeks ago

Scott AndersonTo Fern DavisThanks for following along again, Fern. Its nice knowing you’re out there.
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3 weeks ago

Graham FinchTo Scott AndersonI've some unfinished touring to do down in Cornwall, and a trip over to Ireland planned, plus parts of Lincolnshire that I want to visit.
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3 weeks ago

Bob KoreisAny chance Jim Couch was the one back in the service area? Not sure if he's still West End or retired finally, but he owned the shop I used to go to in Tacoma.
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3 weeks ago

Scott AndersonTo Bob KoreisIn West End? He didn’t give his name, but I’ll ask when I go back.
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3 weeks ago

Karen PoretMany thanks for your stellar photos, dialogues, and comments throughout it all! Such a treat to enjoy and ponder with you both. As much as the chance of the majority of CB followers actually meeting in person, we all feel as if we have known each other all along.
Give yourselves a mental and physical “stop” until you begin anew, and w/o any ills. Best of luck to you both.
Happy Thanksgiving !
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3 weeks ago

Rich FrasierThanks also for writing the first encouraging words I've read in a long time about our beloved Portland. It's been incredibly sad to hear the reports of decline. Your words give me some hope, which I need right now.
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3 weeks ago

Scott AndersonTo Rich FrasierIt really does seem better, Rich. We’ve been here and out and about for a couple of days now and I’d say it’s significantly improved. Now if we can just make it through these next four years.
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3 weeks ago

Scott AndersonTo Karen PoretAnd thank you, Karen. Rachael and I both really enjoyed your involvement on this tour. Coincidentally, I thought of you this morning on the way to coffee. It’s that time of day and the trees are full of crows greeting the dawn and preparing to take flight.
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3 weeks ago

Karen PoretTo Scott Anderson“ my” crows are of the late afternoon group.. caw, caw 😬
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3 weeks ago

Robyn RichardsI can only agree with what's been said above. Exemplary journal-writing, superb photography and videoing, Team Anderson. Looking forward to the next chapter.
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3 weeks ago

Scott AndersonTo Robyn RichardsThanks so much, Robyn. You remind me that we really do need to make it down under again one of these times. This could be the year.
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3 weeks ago

Susan CarpenterThanks for taking us along on another entertaining TA adventure. Glad to hear that Portland is more welcoming this time around. Happy Holidays and stay healthy - the desert awaits!
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3 weeks ago

Scott AndersonTo Susan CarpenterGotta get healthy before we can stay healthy, but we’re working on it.

The desert sounds great though. It is so cold here! The high today is 48, which is the warmest it will be until we head south. Lows will drop below freezing for the next 4-5 days.
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3 weeks ago

Scott AndersonTo Bob KoreisI picked up my rejuvenated bike yesterday and asked about Jim. He wasn’t in the shop at the moment but he’s still there - he’s the general manager.
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2 weeks ago