Oregon and California.

Crater Lake, Oregon.

Riding... somewhere.



The Pacific Ocean.



Our campsite just outside of the Redwoods.



Hiking through the Redwoods.




Kevin attempting a climb of a Redwood.




Standing beside a fallen Redwood.



Laban chilling on the beach.

Riding into the California sunset.



Riding with our host in Folsom, California, Kent Carlson

After leaving Olympia on Monday morning we headed towards the Washington coast. The weather was typical northwest weather, overcast and rainy for most of the day, but the riding was nice and the sights were fantastic. We rode down route 101 and crossed into Oregon. The Oregon was equally if not more impressive, as steep banks plummeted down to the beaches which were riddled with large boulders. While riding down the coast we stopped in Tillamook, Ore. and checked out the Tillamook cheese and ice cream plant. We taste-tested some cheese, I usually took more than just one piece for my sample, and picked up some ice-cream from the ice-cream shop. That has to be some of the best ice-cream I have ever had. After Tillamook we rode and found a nice campsite up off of the coast on a hilltop overlooking the Pacific Ocean. On Tuesday we did some more riding along the coast and got some more odds and ends taken care of. The riding views continued to get better the farther south we went. Tuesday night we camped out just north of Crater Lake and we went and checked that out the next morning. Wednesday morning was one of the colder mornings that we have had to ride in, the temperature was in the 30s and I was freezing as were the other guys too. Laban was riding without gloves and Nate asked him where they were at and Laban responded with one of the most depressed and sad voices I have ever heard from him, "there in my side bags". I laughed so hard when I heard him say that. Crater Lake was real sweet, the water was so crystal-clear and blue. We proceeded on from there and headed towards California. We crossed into Cali and headed towards the giant Redwoods. So far on this trip we have seen some pretty impressive scenery, but the Redwoods just might take the cake as the sweetest thing I've seen so far. They make you feel like an absolute dwarf when riding through them, and once again it is just another reminder of how big and amazing our God is. Wednesday nights campsite was one of the tougher ones to get to and of course this meant that we took a few spills on the bikes, which always helps to keep things lively. Thursday we spent some more time in the Redwoods and did a little hike through them. We headed down along the coast again and rode on the Avenue of the Giants and a part of route 1. Let me just say that those two rodes have probably been my two favorite roads so far. The twists and turns on route 1 were an absolute blast. Friday we move on towards Sacramento and are currently in Folsom with Kent and Diane Carlson and their family. They have been absolutely wonderful to us and we greatly appreciate them and their hospitality. Shortly it is off to Yosemite, so until next time... God Bless.

-- Dwayne