7/18/2003, Fort Canby to Nehalem Bay, 60.73 miles

This was a day of contrasts. I started out biking through fog - not those boring dense ones, but delicate ones that snaked mysteriously along fields and valleys and at other times rose dramatically from lakes and streams. Then I rode across the very long (and tall) Astoria Bridge into Oregon (As this is part of the official Oregon Scenic Bike Route - they ought to make the shoulder wider). Then I met up with Sis at Cannon Beach (where I also met Steve's parents). Toward end of the day, Sis and I rode up a steep cape overlooking Nehalem Bay under (rare) sunshine.

I rode through two tunnels today (the first in Washington and the second with Sis in Oregon). That second tunnel - Cape Arch Tunnel - was a little scary: the bike warning light was broken; the shoulder was very narrow, the grade was uphill; and last but not least, the tunnel was very loud - thundering loud with logging trucks. Yet, in her first day, Sis took it all in stride even as we had to peddle like mad. Perhaps the scenary did make up for such hassles...

My only regret for the day was that I didn't plan today's trip properly (partly because of the long ride yesterday). I should have dropped by Fort Clatsop, where Lewis, Clark, and their men set camp over winter on their journey West. Oh well... I also wasn't as much in tune with my bike riding as I could have been. Maybe I should try to sleep earlier today.