Astoria!

Sorry to be so out of touch. THis has been and continues to be a wonderful trip! As DG said "no phone, no pets, no cigarettes!" Actually, about that phone, arriving in Walla Walla and reaching a Cellular One shop, they knew already who I was, that my phone was missing, and had not been stolen but rather picked up by an elderly gent out walking who thought the phone had been lost and brought it to the Pomeroy police--unfortunately after Justin and I had left town! Again, people along the way have been just wonderful--kind, generous, interested in the trip, talkative--wonderful.

Biking with Justin was great. He and I were quite compatible riders. I left him yesterday just outside of Portland (we rode together from Missoula Montana) where he is meeting his father on Monday. Yesterday I hooked up with my brothers, David and Peter, and the 3 of us are now just 35 miles outside of Astoria Oregon and the end of my trip! We rode together yesterday and will again today.

Have felt great, except for a "dead" thumb on my left hand. Nerve damage? Temporary I hope! One more minor climb today as we approach the coast. Will spend next week visiting family out here and climb South Sister in the Cascades next weekend. Then home to Montpelier. I can't wait!

Corinne, have mucho pictures for a show at school in the fall! Now why do I direct that comment to you?!:)

My love to all. The sun has poked through the morning fog here and it's time to hop on that bike!