I drove up to Newport, Oregon, where I left off last year.
I stayed at The Rodeway Inn again because the manager had been so generous and kind when I had a reservation problem.
He was just as kind and generous this time. Too bad he wasn’t in control of the weather .
It poured on the drive from Redding north to Newport I had rain gear but nothing for my feet.
One of my former trail crew members with extensive bike touring experience had told me about using plastic bags over the socks and inside the shoes.
I scrambled and put something together Hoping I wouldn’t need them.
I woke up Friday AM to steady rain. out came the gloves wool jersey and foot gear
Forecast was rain decreasing later in the AM.
I decided to use the bus for the first 20 miles and ride the last 31 hoping the rain would stop.
Didn’t happen. Time to test my bag theory.
I had brought wool mittens in case it got cold.
Wool insulates when wet, according to to the theory.
Got to test that one also.
Off we went climbing and descending. Staying patient on the climb so as not to burn out.
It was pouring, I had brought a small umbrella.
During one of my every half hour fueling stops, it really let loose, out came the umbrella,it worked just as I hoped and gave some protection until the cell passed.
4 hours later I pulled into Florence, warm and dry.
The shoes and mittens were soaked, but hands and feet stayed warm.Mittens weighed about #2 each
It took all night to dry them.Lucky I didn’t blow a fuse with the hair dryer use.
If you thought I was a wool affectionado before, I’m a rabid evangelical for wool now.
Yesterday I rode from Florence to Lakeside in cool dry weather.
I’ve never seen so many 30 foot RV’s towing huge trailers with every type of ATV and dune buggy imaginable.
Yesterday and this morning I was going by the Oregon Dunes National Recreation area.
Tonight I’m in Bandon Oregon. I had a delicious clam chowder and a shrimp wrap.
For this whole trip it will be climbing and descending.
My every half hour fueling breaks are working very well and I arrive at the end of the day tired but not exhausted.
Until later, Paul
Pau's Travels 