Zion NP

We are now visiting Zion. This picture says it all. Cathy is having great fun collecting patches representing each park. Next stop Death Valley.

Capital Reef

Next stop Capital Reef, its waterpocket fold and the pioneer village of Fruita. We reached the park after a beautiful drive through Grand Staircase Escalante. The views were breathtaking.

Bryce Canyon

After Yosemite, we drove to Bryce Canyon in SW Utah. Two glorious days were spent touring the park and hiking among the hoodoos.

Yosemite NP

Spent the day hiking in Yosemite. The weather has been great. We leave tomorrow to explore the national parks of southwestern Utah.

The Golden Gate

Here we are after riding our bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. Our trip across the United States has been great but we are also looking forward to returning home to Cape Cod and seeing friends and family during the holidays.

The City by the Bay

As you can see we've made it to downtown San Francisco. The weather has been absolutely gorgeous and we've been able to do all of the touristy things you do in this beautiful city - riding the cable cars, visiting Fishermen's Wharf, hanging out in Haight/Ashbury.

We are staying with friends in Tiburon and riding the ferry across the Bay to the city daily. We cannot say enough about the hospitality and generosity of Bill and Liddy S. They have opened their home to us which allowed us the time to consider what's next for our adventure.

Because of the fires in Southern California and the shorter riding days, we had to face the difficult decision of when should we conclude our ride for this season. After much soul searching, we thought it was best to end this portion of our bike trip in San Francisco. It has been quite a journey with 4700 miles under our wheels. We look forward to continuing our American odyssey sometime in late February or early March of next year.

Although we have stopped riding for now, it is not yet time to return to the east coast. We do plan to visit some National Parks before we return to our home on Cape Cod for the holiday season.

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and encouragement as we made our way across America at ten miles per hour.

San Francisco

We got to the outskirts of San Francisco today and got our first view of the skyline, harbor and Golden Gate bridge. We are staying with friends of friends in Tiburon.

Majestic Redwoods

Road thru Redwood NP today after a wonderful stay at the Park's hostel. It truly is the forest primeval. Unfortunately the rainy, damp weather persists.

More Oregon Coast

US 101 south of Port Orford OR. The sun finally came out after 11AM giving us a lovely afternoon ride along the coast. Tomorrow California.

Pacific Ocean

A view of the Pacific Ocean from Oregon Dunes National Rec. Area south of Florence OR.

The West Coast

Here's a sign you don't see on the East Coast although we do have our hurricane evacuation routes. We all know how well those work on olde Cape Cod with only two bridges leading off-Cape. People here feel the same way about the Tsunami evacuation route.

Old Town Florence OR sits along the banks of the Siuslaw River which empties into the Pacific. Huge sand dunes have built up on the shore. The town reminds us of the town in the book Snow Falling on Cedars. The mountains and the pines come right down to the shoreline.

We Made It!

Today (Oct. 2nd) we reached the Pacific Ocean at Florence Oregon at 4 PM PDT. It has been 86 riding days and 4058 miles since we left New Hampshire on June 11th. Next stop San Diego.

Almost There

The view from our room of the Three Sisters peaks. We are staying in Sisters OR & hope to cross the Cascades on Fri. 9/28. Its a 3 to 4 day ride to the Pacific Ocean from here.

Eastern Oregon

We are well into our ride across Oregon but as the above photo of the Elkhorn Range (west of Baker City, Oregon) attests that is no small feat with the mountains we have to cross to get to the Pacific. Yesterday we rode 70 miles and cross three passes over 5000 feet in elevation. Our reward at the end of the day was a stay at a fantastic B&B that overlooks Strawberry Mountain, a 9000 foot peak, south of Prairie City.

Today we are staying in a church that opens its doors to bicyclists. They have thought of everything: computer access, washer/dryer, shower, kitchen facilities and a place to lay our heads. The generousity/kindness of people continues to amaze us as we travel across our country.

If all goes as planned, we should arrive at the eastern slopes of the Cascades on Wednesday with the Pacific Coast in our sights by next weekend. We'll then head south to the warmer climes of sunny Southern California and Arizona.

Oregon or Bust

Crossed into Oregon on 9-19 & made it to Baker City today. The Pacific is about 10 biking days away.

Rugged Idaho

Crossed the Lolo Pass into Idaho on 9/12. We are now in Riggens ID watching rafters on the Salmon River. Cross into Oregon on Tuesday.

Beautiful Montana

We left Glacier National Park (see above picture) last Thursday and have spent the last four days pedaling south to Missoula. The route that we took was absolutely beautiful. The Mission Mountains were on our left and the Bob Marshall Wilderness (locally known as the "Bob") was on our right with glacially created lakes in the middle. The weather has also been fantastic although it is getting quite cold in the early mornings. We woke to 25 degree temps. the other morning. After a few days of R&R in Missoula we head west and south across Idaho to Hell's Canyon and Oregon traveling a route across the Lolo Pass that was also taken by Lewis and Clark.

Glacier NP

Crossed the continental divide on Tuesday September 4th , 9:00 AM Mountain Time, at Marias Pass. Toured Glacier NP on Wed. & Thur. Breathtaking. Next stop Oregon.

Glacier National Bound

Here we are outside of Poplar Montana. We continue our trek along US 2 across the plains of northern Montana. The Burlington Northern railroad and the occasional Amtrack trains are our constant companions as US Route 2 parallels the "Hi-Line". Glacier National Park is now within our sights. We will begin our climb up the Rockies on Monday (Labor Day) on our way to East Glacier and will cross the Continental Divide at Marias Pass on Tuesday. It is then few days of R & R touring Glacier National Park on the "Red Bus".

Big Sky Country

Crossed into Montana today. Had a great ride across ND but happy to be in Big Sky Country & Glacier National Park bound.

Geographic Center of North America

We've made it to Rugby, North Dakota, the geographic center of North America. If all goes as planned, we expect to cross the Montana border and enter the Mountain time zone this coming Thursday. It's all uphill to Glacier National Park from there. North Dakota has been a very beautiful state with exceptional vistas and we have have favorable winds most of the way across the state. That being said, we are still looking forward to getting our first views of the Rockies and pedaling across the Continental Divide.

Minnewauken ND

Almost 1/2 way thru ND. Staying in a Frank Lloyd Wright design house located on Devils Lake that is now a B&B. So nice we may stay another day.

North Dakota

As you can see we've made it North Dakota even though we had to ride over 80 miles (our longest mileage day yet) to get here. The day however did not go without it challenges (our first flat tire after 2000 miles of riding, a road closure and road construction and a thunderstorm). It was all worth it because we now have a warm bed, great food and a hot shower thanks to our very gracious hosts Terri B. and Mike L., fellow tandem riders that we met in Wisconsin and who so openly offered us a place to stay when we got in Fargo, ND.

2000 Miles

Boy have we come a long way since we started our journey on June 11th. Today (August 12th) we passed the 2000 mile mark somewhere between Two Inlets Minnesota and Detroit Lakes. Tomorrow we ride into Fargo North Dakota and the high plains. The Rockies and Glacier National Park are now in our sights after a long journey across the east and mid-west.

Headwaters of Mississippi River

We have now been traveling for two months. Even though the weather was very iffy when we started our day we are now sitting under beautiful blue skies. Got to see where the Mississippi River begins. It is little more than a small stream when it exits Lake Itasca, MN. Quite amazing to see and to think how wide the river becomes before it empties into the Gulf of Mexico. If all goes as planned we will pass the 2000 mile mark tomorrow and will be in North Dakota on Monday.

Welcome to Minnesota

We crossed the St. Croix River into Minnesota today & are staying in a B&B that was the original 1884 jail for Taylors Falls, MN. Almost 1700 miles beneath our tires. Wisconsin & the people we have met have been great. Look forward to similar experiences in MN.

America's Dairyland

WI that is. Visited with family of our good friend Lori H. & toured Door County, the Cape Cod of the Mid-West. A special thanks to Mike, Nita, Ted, Tom & Sylvia for their hospitality. We're now on our to northern WI & then on to Minnesota.

Sleeping Bear Dunes MI

Made it to eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Staying with old friends from our Carlisle PA days on Crystal Lake. A special thanks to Ed & Mary F. for their wonderful hospitality. Next stop WI.

Our First Thousand

We passed the 1000 mile mark today on the road west of Bay City MI. We'll be on the western shore of Lake Michigan on Thursday staying with some old friends in Beulah.

Bay City Rollers

We're back in the US of A after 8 days riding around Lake in Canada. Tomorrow we pass the 900 mile mark. Next stop Bay City MI for some R & R this weekend.

Oh Canada

Made it to Niagara Falls. NY is done. Now around the N. shore of Lake Erie to Michigan.

A Side Trip to PA

Cathy with our niece Joann.

After pedaling to the Finger Lakes region of NY, we decided to take a side trip from our journey to visit family and friends in Pennsylvania. A big thanks to Jane and Chris for retrieving us and our equipment in Skaneateles and taking us back to WP for some R & R.

It's back in the saddles for us on Sunday. If all goes as planned, we'll be celebrating the 4th of July at Niagara Falls. Its then some pedaling in Canada around the northern shore of Lake Erie with a return to the US somewhere in Michigan.

Finger Lakes

A view of the lake in Skaneateles NY. We'll be taking a few days off to take care of a business matter.

Lake Ontario

Made it to Lake Ontario. 360 miles done.

Adirondacks

Almost thru the Adirondacks. Mountains were very hard and the bugs were tenacious. The lakes were gorgeous and the camp sites were exceptional. Taking a rest day in Old Forge NY. Next stop is Lake Ontario. Almost 275 miles under our wheels.

Day Four

We started our adventure on 6/11/07 somewhere west of Lincoln, New Hampshire. Thanks to Gil and Nancy for taking us in their RV from Cape Cod to the Granite State and to Paul for our comfortable first night's stay in Dalton, NH. Also, a special thanks to Ron and Lori for the hospitality they displayed by sharing their new home with us in Bradford, Vermont, home of the world's first globe and the answer to our trivia question. Chris G., you were the first one with the correct response. Go out and buy yourself a snow globe.

We have almost completed Vermont and will be in New York tomorrow. Looking forward to the ferry ride across Lake Champlain.

Fully Loaded

The start of our trip. Somewhere W. of N. Woodstock, NH. 6-11-07.

Ole Cape Cod

Old Silver Beach, Falmouth, MA. Back on Cape Cod for final prep before our departure on June 10th.

When we recently had dinner with our good friends Gil, Nancy and Jodie, the topic arose regarding which creature comfort we will miss the most on our bicycle trip. The obvious things like a comfortable bed, warm showers and chocolates on the pillow came to mind.

Later that week Gary and I made our shake-down camping trip to Nickerson State Park, a lovely camp ground here on the Cape. We rode the 25 miles or so to get there with all of our gear in tow including two new panniers. The equipment all worked very well. We’ll have some fine-tuning to do in the packing of the gear so our overnight trip proved helpful practice. After we set up the tent we went for a walk to the pond just down the path from our site. While we were gone a furtive squirrel chewed a hole in our pannier trying to get at a small baggy of trail mix we had forgotten was in the pack. It was a good reminder to us to never leave the food unattended and that critters are tenacious about getting at it.

When I got to the end of the path leading to the pond, I was delighted to find what appeared to be a new park bench with an engraved plaque honoring a couple who frequented and loved Nickerson State Park. I went back to our site, grabbed my book and captured the remaining sunlight from my perch on the bench. And then I realized that the creature comfort I miss the most while camping is a chair. Anyone who has tented for any length of time understands that after awhile rocks, stumps and picnic tables don’t cut it for comfortable seating. My bench had a back to it (no flat slab that you can’t lean back on here!) and I even stretched out for a nap. Heaven.
Now I wish for fair skies, a tail wind and an occasional chair along the way.

W. Pittston, PA

Pop, Sassy & Gretchen.

Central PA

Ouerlooking the Susquehanna Riuer near Marietta, PA.

Pop H

Cathy & her dad at her dad's apartment, E-Town, PA.

Duke Chapel

Cathy at the Chapel at Duke U.

Mr. Larry

Greetings from Amy & Meg's in NC. Enjoy the picture of a retired Mr. Larry.

Where Does the Time Go!

Hello All! This is our first entry to the blog since we’ve set it up and can’t believe how quickly the time is going! To those of you who have been keeping watch on the blog site waiting for updates, well, we’re finally at it. Thanks for your patience.

Today was Gary’s last day at work so we are another step forward in our plan. One change we have made is the date of departure. We are aiming for the second week of June, most likely the 8th or 9th. There are some family things to take care of first before we go.

Life has been busy during these months of preparation. First, we took a bicycle maintenance course at Wheelworks in Belmont. Thanks to our great instructor, Sean, fixing a flat, truing a wheel, and changing a gear cable, among other things, can now be added to our resumes. We learned so much from this course and got lots of good advice on the best way to travel with minimal tools for bike repairs. The first thing Sean told us to do if (when!) we do get a flat is to get off the road, take a deep breath and drink some water – we’re not in a race to get it done fast and this will remind us to be safe.

The highlight of our prep period, hands-down, was the Wilderness First Responder course we took through the SOLO program in New Hampshire. Gary and I are now official WFR’s (pronounced "woofers"). There were 11 of us in the class for this intensive 10 day course taught by an amazing instructor, Josh, with assistance from Katey (see photo of the gang after we all passed our final exam!). It is difficult to truly convey how impressive this group of people was to us. Our classmates represented such a wealth of talent in terms of outdoor skills and life experiences. We gained a tremendous amount of knowledge in wilderness medicine and feel so much better prepared to handle any injuries that we may encounter.

In our WFR course the emphasis was on learning to make an accurate assessment of a medical emergency in the backcountry and then figuring out the best course of action to treat it. There was a protocol that we were taught to follow and were given scenarios ("oh no…") in the woods every day in order to practice what we learned. Many of us were quite nervous about having to demonstrate our newly acquired skills. Like anything new, it felt awkward and many times we were unsure if we could remember the right thing to do or do it quickly enough. The best advice came from one of our seasoned backcountry classmates (and my dorm-mate) Sigrid. It was similar to the "take a deep breath" advice above. She said something like "don’t forget to smoke a cigarette" – not literally of course – but take the time to step back, breathe and figure out what to do next. Good to remember when life gets crazy.

In addition to the wisdom shared, the support from all of the class gave us confidence as we pulled for each other to do our best. To our fellow WFRs, Betta, Sigrid, Anthony, Ann, Brad, Mike, Josh, Matt and John, Gary and I are so grateful for your friendships and support on our next BIG adventure.

Departure Date

Many of you have been asking us, "So when are you leaving?" Needless to say, there is much to do over the next few months - map our route, prepare mail drops, take a bike mechanic course, train, etc. That being said, if everything goes as anticipated, we plan to leave from New Hampshire on either May 23rd (our 20th anniversary) or June 2nd (Gary's birthday). And, as Horace Greeley said, "Go west young man!"

First Post

Hello to all of our family and friends. Welcome to our blog. Please check back regularly so we can keep you all updated as we get ready for our big bike trip!!!!!!