Portland

Tuesday, July 5th
25 miles
Portland OR

I forgot to write about how we celebrated the 4th: hanging in a laundromat in Sandy. Doing laundry. Charging my freaking phone. Eating. Sleeping. Reading. Enjoying the shade. Then we headed down to the fireworks. Since we knew they weren't going off til late (for us) we wanted to figure out where we could sleep. Right there in the field next to the town hall of course. Set up the tent, then wandered over to take in a movie while waiting to get dark. After the fireworks we just rolled into our tent. Perfect spot!

Today we had a delightful ride into Portland past a bunch of tree farms. All the landscape trees. Everywhere.

Then we hit the city. And had 15 miles to bike down ugly, dirty, congested streets before getting to our adorable guesthouse. Bluebird Guesthouse. A bungalow with all the rooms fixed up and shared baths. No one actually lives here. Kitchen privileges. And stocked for breakfast. A cross between a B&B and a hostel.

Picking up the rental car was fun. Should have just had them pick me up. But I was out riding around the city doing errands and went to get it. Elantra. Couldn't fit Blaze in the trunk. Then the guy points to an HHR. Ugly Chevy thing. Really? Drive that thing around for a week? How about I use it to get Blaze back to the guesthouse then come get the nice car? What? She's rented it out? But I hadn't decided what I was going to do. You can let me do it? Be back in 20 minutes because we close at 6 pm. 50-50 city blocks each way and I don't know my way around this town. Sure thing. I'll be back in 20. Well it was 30, but I figured out a faster way on the way back so I didn't gave a stop sign at every block. Gotta hit the major streets that run.

Tomorrow off to move my stuff to the hostel (Blaze on top of the car this time;)) Fuat shipping his bike home. His summer vacation is over. Then driving out to see the Columbia River Gorge that we're glad we didn't bike.

Thursday Blaze goes into the bike shop for a tune up and I'm having lunch with the woman that inspired me to get a trike and take off - quit thinking about it and GO. Can't wait to hear her stories. If you're interested, check out www.myrtletheturtle.me.

Then time with family and friends. I'll blog again when I get the time but it will be a couple of days


Pedal on, Pedal on

Saddle BagLady

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