I'm Flying!!

Pacific North West

 Artist Friend - Michael Schultheis

 Five Sails Restaurant

 Vancouver Aquarium

First Rest Day – Kennewick, WA

After cycling four days, we had our first rest day in Kennewick. Our host Valerie was wonderful. She's a masseuse, and she invited a few of her masseuse friends over her house and each cyclist got a full massage. In the evening, Valerie hosted a pot-luck dinner and invited a number of peace activist friends, and in her spare time she would lead drumming circles. Also while at Kennewick, a local news station did a news story on bike4peace and the movement. Picture Zach being interviewed by the news reporter.

Purifying Water

Typically we refill-up our water bottles as frequently as possible along the route and carry enough water to make it to the next water stop, but on this particular day the stops with water available were few and far between, and we had to filter water from the Yakima River. Pictured (l to r) Zach (pumping), Kerry, Jesse, and Erica.

“SAG” Wagon (a.k.a. Minivan)

When preparing for our trip, the intent was not to have a S.A.G. wagon, and to carry all our supplies and gear on our bikes. At the last minute a S.A.G. wagon was added to our tour, in order to carry the video equipment for the video makers. But even with the S.A.G wagon accompanying us, each cyclist is encouraged to rely on their own bikes to carry our supply and gear. I'm still carrying all the equipment that I originally setout with. Nevertheless, the S.A.G wagon has come in handy when some cyclist have sustained minor injuries or are not feeling well and would like to take the day off from cycling. Likewise, side trips to purchase bike parts, groceries and camping supplies are faster and a lot easier with the S.A.G. Wagon, than it would be on bike. It's a luxury that keeps us on schedule.

On the Way to Kennewick, WA

Eastern Washington is very desolate. The restaurant pictured was our only option for lunch. The sign tells it all: "Welcome to the Middle of Nowhere".

Yakima WA to Kennewick, WA

It was approximately 102 degrees Fahrenheit today, our hottest day of riding so far, as we cycled 85 miles from Yakima to Kennewick, WA which took over 7 hours (not including breaks), averaging 12.4 miles per hour on this particular day.

Hosts in Yakima, WA

In Yakima we stayed with Debbie and Jane. They're pictured here with their son O'Ryan and me. While it's only the beginning of the trip, I've been amazed by our gracious and accommodating hosts. Generally, we arrive late in the evening, hot, sweaty, and tired from cycling all day. Our hosts open their house to the eight of us. They feed us and provide us with a place to shower and sleep, and then prepare breakfast the next morning. Most of them view it as their way of supporting and participating in the bike4peace movement.

Snoqualmie Falls, WA

When we don't have hosts lined-up we typically camp in public campgrounds. On this particular night we camped in Easton WA. The following day we visited the Snoqualmie water falls.

Departure Day – Sharing Wheels – Everett, WA

Today is our departure day. A group of twenty cyclists, including myself, left Everett today heading south to Seattle (virtually the same route I cycled the day before). Only eight of the fourteen cyclists are planning to cycle cross country trip. The other twelve cyclists only joined us for the day to demonstrate their support.

Pictured (l to r) is Kerry and Ron, both who plan to make the cross-country trip, and Lorna and Al. Lorna is our contact in Everett who has been working super-hard contacting and coordinating hosts in the various towns where we’ll be overnighting. Al rode with us for the first two days and then headed back to Everett
.
After a light breakfast at Sharing Wheels, a cooperative bike shop, we headed over to Zippy’s Java Lounge for lunch and a final farewell (next picture).

Seattle, WA to Everett, WA

On Monday morning, I left Michael's and Brett's house early to cycle to Everett, WA. Two members of the cycling group, Ron and Zach met me, about a third of the way to Everett. The three of us cycled the remainder of the way together. Everett is the town where we officially start our cross country cycling trip tomorrow. The main reason I cycled to Everett today, even though I'd be cycling back to Seattle tomorrow, was to meet the other cyclist and attend the farewell events.

New Adventure - Seattle WA

I arrived in Seattle a few days prior to connecting with the cycling group and starting the cross-country bike trip to hangout with Michael (l) and Brett (r). The flight to the west coast was fine. My plane arrived on time, Saturday evening around 9:45 PM. My luggage also arrived but my bike did not. Continental Airlines had no idea where my bike was, but assured me that when it did arrive, they would deliver it to Michael's and Brett's house. Okay no sweat, that evening, I tagged along with Michael and Brett to a birthday party with was lots of food and drink. The next morning, first thing, I contacted Continental again. They still did not know where my bike was and that's when I began to worry. I was schedule to cycle to Everett WA, a town 45 miles north of Seattle, to meet the other cyclists on the bike tour the following day, Monday. Not having a bike I didn't know what I was going to do - rent one or purchase a new one or not go on the trip? After multiple calls to the Continental Airline throughout the day, and almost a full day of fretting and aggravation of trying to decide what I'd do if the bike did not arrive, around 3 PM I called Continental to find out my alternatives, and they told me my bike arrived in Seattle - a huge sigh of relief.