Day: May 3, 2012

They were very kind with me, waiting for this old and out-of-shape guy. They moved faster but stopped so I could join them. I asked Jameson, “How come you go so fast uphill, and I take so long?” “Five months of bike touring in Southeast Asia!” he replied with a big smile.

We were in Seaside when Laurel said, “I wish I could have some clam chowder.” Three minutes later we were parking our bikes in front of Tsunami where they have the best clam chowder in the entire world (it is a well-known fact!)

After that we had to face the hills… ah, the hills!

Torment for those going uphill, but always followed by joy and freedom in the downhill. I guess that everyone has to pay a price for pleasure.

We got to Cannon Beach and decided to call it a day. Enough of biking in the rain. We were looking for a place to stay, so I asked a lady in the parking lot of the grocery store where we stopped to get some groceries if she knew of a campground. She told us about one she knew and then she left.

Meanwhile, I got a few people to join me in singing together “Your Love Keeps Lifting Me, Higher and Higher!” Everybody now! It was a joyful moment.

We called the campground but it was closed and would only open in two weeks. While we were debating what to do, the lady came back with her husband and invited us to stay at their place. They said we could pitch our tents in their backyard. Nice people. Kindness exists! Let’s go!

www.pierofalci.com

A nice little town, full of kind people. Everyone I met was kind with me. Two movies where filmed here “Goonies” (it was filmed more than 25 years ago, and when I go back home I am going to rent and watch it again!) and “Kindergarten Cop.”

I woke up and went for some sightseeing. The bike shop would only be open at 10 A.M. so I had time to spare. I went up to the Astoria Column, as Bob had told me to do. Great suggestion!

When I was about to start climbing the 150+ stairs to get to the top, my friend John called me. He loves nature. He calls me every now and then to describe the sky, the clouds, the sun, the birds, the lizards, and how he is in awe. So, I returned the favor: “John I am on the top of a hill and I am looking at the Columbia river. I see hills and mountains covered with pine trees. I see birds flying. There’s water to my left, to my right, and in front of me. Life is good!”

I went to the bike shop and met Scott and Pat. Great guys! My bike was ready and I took it for a test ride. I went to the Riverwalk, and it was a bad idea. The Riverwalk, or at least the section I was in, was made of wood boards. My front wheel got caught on a rail and I went down. Nothing major. Lost some skin in my left knee and hit the palm of my left hand kind of hard; the pain has been uncomfortable, but nor unbearable. Stood up, and on my way back to the bike shop I met two touring bikers, a couple from Germany, who were looking for the bike shop and I said with confidence (that was a little bruised after I went down), “Follow me!” Got to the bike shop and told Scott, “Two good news: I brought you two new customers, and I fell down.” “How this can be good news?” Pat asked. “Well, if I had to fall down during this trip, no better time to do it than when I am riding slowly, on the first day, actually in the first minutes.”  

They rechecked the bike. Everything was fine and I was ready to go! I am heading to the hotel now. I plan to start biking at noon time.

Wish me luck!

www.pierofalci.com