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-Keith Pelczarski
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Day 3: Elma to Lewis and Clark State Park
2 p.m. That seems to be the time by which my bike, bags, belly, and brain are all set to hit the road. I hope to get all that to happen before noon, but late starts beget late starts.
Here's how things went today. Slept in at the Microtel in Elma. Well, I actually woke up fairly early, but lazed around in semi-conciousness for a couple hours before I thought to call and ask for a late checkout. Done and done, then back to actual sleep for a couple hours before packing up and grabbing another shower since you never know where the next one might be.
I stocked up on Gatorade at Toad's Place in Elma, which made me chuckle a bit since there's a nightclub in New Haven called Toad's Place where I saw a few shows back in the day. After that I ducked into the Coffee Coop for an everything bagel with cream cheese and an iced mocha. The lady working there was super nice. A number of people up the road had tried to steer me away from Elma, saying that there was nothing there, but as it turns out it was a great stop.Finally ready to roll at 2 p.m., I started cranking with a purpose and made really good time over the mostly flat route. I didn't take many pictures today, but had to take this one just outside the Chehalis Reservation. Now that's a serious pinewood derby car, people.
Before I knew it I had covered the 36 miles to Centralia, where I enjoyed eating at Burgerville. After letting the food settle and futzing around on the phone, I set out to cover the 23 miles or so to Lewis and Clark Park.
As it turns out, there were a number of long grades on the way, and I was glad to have stopped for food and rest before doing this leg. Happily, I was able to keep chugging up every hill and didn't need to push or anything. I'm still thinking that I might get a granny gear, but then I'll need a new dérailleur and whatnot. Hurm.
Finally rolled into Lewis & Clark State Park after 8 tonight and it was after 9 before tent was pitched and clothes changed. Another dinner of pasta with pesto and sausage was cooked and consumed by 10. Then cleanup and route planning brought me to 11, and by the time I'm done tapping this out on the iPhone it'll be after midnight. Then it's time to let it all hang out, or so I've heard.
So you see, late starts beget late starts. On the upside though, I upped my mileage to almost 60 miles today and feel pretty good. Tomorrow I'm going to try to get my act together a bit earlier, so maybe the increasing mileage trend will continue.
Thanks to everyone who has sent well-wishes over the intertubes. It's been very encouraging.
Speaking of the intertubes, I'm going to see if the tenuous EDGE connection that I have is good enough for a little surfing. Now that's some fancy camping.
Finally, I've seen some places in Washington that would make the Lorax very, very sad, but mostly it's been places that would make the Lorax very, very happy.
Oregon, you are hereby warned: I speak for the trees, and tomorrow I will be all up in your business.
:: Keith 23:04 [link] :: ::