Here is the note I got from Kerry last night. After the letter, I'll add
a couple details he told me on the phone.
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>Hi
>
>I'm in Lincoln City, OR, about 120 miles south of the border. Had more
>rain today, but it cleared up around noon. I climbed the highest hill
>(850 ft) on the Oregon coast this morning, and a slightly lesser one (750
>ft) this afternoon. I now have climbed 3 of the four hills higher than
>750 feet in Oregon. I still have a 800 ft. one to go when I get to Gold
>Beach.
>Generally the trip is going great. There are times when I don't think so,
>but they pass and are replaced with happy thoughts. The knee still hurts,
>but it is hanging in there. It doesn't like those climbs though.
>I sent a CARE package home yesterday (Monday). You should get it
>Wednesday. Nine pounds of unneeded junk off the bike. There are 5 rolls
>of film included. Free free to go ahead and develop them if you like.
>I'm at a cyber cafe, and it's kind of expensive, so I'll sign off now.
>
>Kerry

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When we left Kerry last Friday night at the ice cream parlor near Ft. Canby
on the north side of the Columbia he was anticipating a slow day and a
brisk ride across the Columbia River bridge at the end of the day to stay
at Ft. Stevens. He had a great day checking out stuff on the north side,
putting on about 10-12 miles visiting historical sites. Fortunately, he
didn't know what he was in for on the bridge so he didn't worry about
it. For anyone who's been on the bridge, it's long, it's scary, it's not
always 4 lanes, there is a significant UPHILL part just before getting to
the south end. That's over where the ships pass continuing into
inter-coastal waters up the Columbia.

Kerry doesn't dwell on the unpleasantries, but he did say, he dodged dead
birds, struggled to keep his wobbly bike going more than 4 MPH or is that 6
knots, bucked head winds and was very glad to cruise down the other side of
the long steep bridge.

As he approached his campground at Ft. Steven's he became a little nervous
as the sign said the campground was full and it was the end of the
day. Apparently the whole area is a popular touristy place even in
September. But he found there were two biker/hiker spots and he got
one. He's found this to be the pattern; even when the main campground is
full, there are usually biker/hikers spots.

Sunday morning Kerry leaves Ft. Stevens and rides to Oswald Beach(per Dr.
Dossett's suggestion, and yes it was beautiful,) then on to Cape
Lookout. Prior to getting to Cape Lookout, he thought he'd have to spend
the night in Tillamook, but found a cut-off (the good kind) to Cape
Lookout, cutting his mileage from 20 miles to more like 12. And that's a
good thing. (Martha wouldn't know that, however)

Tuesday, Kerry rides from Cape Lookout to Pacific City for lunch, then on
to Lincoln City where he spent Tuesday night at a campground slightly in
town, convenient to laundry. Kerry sounds happy, is looking forward to
less rain. He's hoping for less wind in the face, he's had it day after
day. We'll hear from him in a couple days. The road seems to straighten
out now, and he reports of leaving 3 of the 4 hills in Oregon in the dust,
including the very tallest one.

Stay tuned. I know I will, but that B string keeps sharping on me.

Peggy K.

p.s. Kerry, the Fresco is almost complete, i painted everything including
the gas pipe; it's purdy. I'm liking this painting and am trying to decide
on a color for the gates and trim now. Thought I'd use the same
palette. ...... mauve, ..... Bermuda sunset.......puce......chartreuse
so many colors

j