All About the People – Rosy Cheeked Scandinavians and Random Dance-Offs
Today was a great day, again.
We started out from Sunset Bay and biked along Seven Devils Road before hitting Highway 101. With that in mind I decided that the theme song for the day was going to be ACDC’s classic rock song Highway to Hell. My cellphone speakers had a hard time doing the song justice but with a little help with vocals from me and Jess we were off to a great start.
Jess and I were pretty fast today and after a while we were not sure if we had missed the lunch stop or not, so I pulled over outside a house with a lot of paintings outside. It looked like a gallery, but the main reason I stopped was because there was a man outside and I wanted to ask if the town we just had passed was Langlois, our intended lunch stop.
Before I got a chance to ask him for directions he invited us in. He and his father lives and paints in that gallery/studio/house called Imagination Gymnasium. They call themselves “creactors”, active creators. They have been painting together for over 20 years and the father has painted for over 60. The whole house was filled with paintings, artwork etc. and it was a totally mind blowing experience. Even the vacuum cleaner was painted.
When we got to the lunch stop (which we had not missed) we we’re still far ahead of the rest of the team so we ended up hanging out in Langlois for a few hours. Eager to try the only diner in town I convinced Jess to go to the Greasy Spoon where I had some clam chowder as an appetizer. With a name like that, how can you go wrong? It is the perfect name for a restaurant. The towns only grocery store/deli had great ice cream.
Note to self; do not fall asleep in the sun, no matter how good of an idea it might be and no matter how strong your sunscreen is. I did not burn, but my up until now pale Scandinavian face is now a rosy red color.
Coming in to Port Orford we had a really strong tailwind which was a nice finish to our 50 mile ride.
In conclusion; today was a great day.
I don’t know how it happens, but every day is better than the last. It sounds like a cliché, but it’s true. When we arrive where we’re sleeping for the night we talk to each other about how the day has been.
“How was your ride?”
We might talk about the weather, scenery or flats, but the best stories are always about people.
The best part of the trip is meeting people. We all have matching green shirts and people come up to us all the time and ask what we’re doing. I love people’s curiosity, and I love to answer all questions we get. That’s why we’re all here. That’s why we’re biking to Mexico. Connections, awareness and inspiration all in the name of microcredit.
How did I write this blog post? I’ve literally had to pull myself away from the group. I’m in a small room, wearing headphones, because on the other side of the door on my right – in the gymnasium we’re staying – the rest of the team is having a spontaneous dance competition.
I could never have imagined that the team would be this group of amazing individuals. I miss them already. Alright, time to bust out some moves!
sounds great!
Any pics of the dance off or frolics on the dunes?
Over the California border tomorrow- YES??
It’s been a dry time for blogs- please keep them coming. Good luck to you all and lots more pictures for us couch-potatoes at home feeling guilty.
Hej!
Det låter som det underbaraste äventyret. Vi tänker på er och hänger med i blogen och på kartan.
The Swedish parents
Go Team!!!! It’s such a pleasure to read the blogs and see the photos, it confirms for us, the left behinds, that this is in fact happening. That your collective dreams and efforts are being realized.
Since your departure, Emma, every time I see a cyclist, a smile spreads across my face and a warm fuzzy feeling radiates from me. This is usually when the tear of joy and pride squeezes out of my eye.
When it rains, I recall all the times in your life that I have kept you warm and dry, and hope these same memories come to you and suffice until the sun shines down on you again.
Of course now that you are as far south as you are, and the sun shines perpetually, the memories adjust accordingly to things like,” Where’s your hat?”, ” What about sunscreen?”, ” Are you drinking enough water?” Well you get the picture.
The weather here is much the same as when you left. It seems summer is going to wait until it’s official start date June 21st.
Otherwise, all is groovy on the home front.
Stay Happy, Stay Healthy, With Love.
RIDE ON,RIDE ON,RIDE ON.
Go Team!!! Great to see the photos and read the blogs. All is groovy on the home front. Keep Healthy, Keep Happy. Ride on, Ride on, Ride on.
Tomas,
Thank you so much for your inspirational ‘blog’. As you are sharing this incredible cycling journey with my daughter, Jessica, I was totally moved by your words. Reading what you have to say merely adds to my joy for what you “young ‘uns’” are experiencing and accomplishing. BRAVO!! Keep on cycling.
Janina Paczuski [PROUD MOM]
[PS–Love Sweden]