May 31, 2022
The Long and Short of Getting There
Getting there is one of life's challenges.
whether it is taking the first walk across the living room
or caring for an elderly parent
The process rarely starts at the jumping-off point.
From little ole Buffalo, Wyoming -
My tour started with an early morning hug with Rayma
who is house-sitting and taking care of the kitties.
Then a quick breakfast snack with Don at the Fetterman overlook.
Followed by 400 miles of driving in the rain to the nearest Amtrak station.
Once in Havre, Montana -
I discovered the disturbing news that they might not take my bike.
Which kinda makes a bike tour difficult. You see ...
Unannounced even after purchasing my ticket -
there's no baggage service to westbound trains in Vancouver, WA.
The station agent, Dave, told me he'd find a way with the conductor.
But I sat there waiting for two hours not knowing the result.
Until the train pulled in and Dave gave me the thumbs up.
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To Portland, Oregon -
The Amtrak train ride was Amtracky ...
Late, cardboard hot dogs, iffy bathrooms, a closed dining car.
But the scenery in Montana was spectcular, as always.
And the Columbia River cliffs were bathed in fresh spring green
under a brilliant blue sky - rare this season in the Pacific Northwest.
Oh, by the way, the "solution"
was to let me go to Portland on a Vancouver ticket.
To Stevenson, Washington -
My friend, Jeff, was there at Union Station to pick me up.
We drove to his place in Stevenson in the Columbia Gorge.
He and Lisa have a lovely house with a view of the river and mountains.
We went for a walk on a forest road with their new pup, Higgins.
Plus grilled tuna and basmati rice for dinner to make sure I was well fed.
Not to mention a mint chocolate bar on my pillow. Wow!
And, finally, to Astoria -
We loaded up Jeff's work truck at 4 in the morning.
Back to Union Station to catch a bus out to Astoria.
And - Would you believe it? - Sunshine and blue skies.
After months of nonstop rain. Absolutely glorious.
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The bridge, the ships in the Columbia River,
the shops on Commercial Street all bathed in sunlight.
Everyone had a bounce in their step - including me.
Got everything packed, set up, and readjusted.
And - Guess what? - I discovered to my surprise
that I still knew how to ride a loaded bike.
Ready to go.
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