Day 5 Finding the rhythm and making it rhyme.

This was another wet and windy day, with unrelenting fog, but Bryan felt that he finally found his true rhythm and cadence as he rode today. He spoke of the mindset that is so important in overcoming challenge. I could tell that today was different too because each time I met up with Bryan, he was positive. He says that his bike seat now feels like his comfy chair at home. Have you seen that seat?! The road was not as winding today, but had 2 long climbs with corresponding downhills that he enjoyed.

While Bryan was riding from Tillamook to Lincoln City, I took a tour of the cheese factory  and sampled their wares. Later, the worship service at Redeemer Lutheran Church reinforced for me how welcoming a church family can be. Two women were sure that they knew me from somewhere. However, I had to hurry to catch up to Bryan with his dinner so there was not much time to visit. Bryan and I had a good long rest for him to warm up with dry clothes in Lincoln City when I got there. I also found out that 2 hours earlier, he had a wipeout on slippery highway that surprised him and left him with a bit of road rash. He doesn't seem to much worse for it but his pants and raincoat won't be quite the same again. So thankful!

Bryan headed out refreshed and ready to continue on for a total of 162 km today. He stopped a few times en route to catch sight of sea lions and take in the huge waves that pound the shores. The fog slipped in and out of the landscape as the ocean air met the warming forests.

Meanwhile, I had time to make my own stops to check out the view and visit a glass blowing shop before arriving in Newport to meet Bryan. Nye Beach in Newport was a highlight for me but Bryan would have become too chilled walking along the sand.

 Stopping for the day brings special pleasures like seafood and local brews. But first, we have to find a quaint, non-chain motel with a charming host/hostess who will give us advice on what to see, do and eat in the area. Once we have the gear unloaded, it's time to put our feet up and relax before supper. No rush! Tonight we drove down the highway into Yachats, first to dry Bryan's gear for tomorrow and then to have the most delicious meal I have ever eaten. Bryan had a lasagna with more seafood than noodles. For my entree, think: curried sauce with pear,eggplant, raisins, coconut and shrimp on rice. A party in my mouth with each bite! To top that off, a very talented guitarist sang some of our favorite folk songs from the 70 and 80's while we ate.

However, the day isn't done until we have done our 'chores'. Bryan cleans and lubes the bike chain, getting rid of the grit, spruce needles, and sand from the day's ride. Then, once I send this blog out, we will make our plans for tomorrow's route and finally settle in for the night, maybe with a bit of an NBA basketball game om tv.

This has been a very good day, the first Sunday in Lent, and the end of our first full week on the road. Perhaps, tomorrow the sun will shine just a little but if it doesn't, God is still good.