9/15/21

Today was another “rest day,” staying within the city of Eugene. I had a wonderful breakfast and lunch—with two different friends—at Morning Glory Café, one of my favorite all-vegetarian spots in town. It happens to be right near the Amtrak station, so when I’ve arrived here by train on previous trips, I’ve usually made a point to stop in.

Later this evening, I had a nice dinner and good conversation with my hosts at Laughing Planet Café, which I’ve always enjoyed in Portland. I love how healthy I’ve been able to eat so far on this trip. Lots of veggies! I know that will be easier in some places than others, so I’m taking good advantage here in the Willamette Valley.

I do notice I’m starting to hit some personal edges, at this point in the trip. I woke up tired this morning, after two or three nights of less sleep than I would have liked, plus 50 miles of cycling yesterday in the hot sun, including a sunburn on my arms, which continue to feel sore today. I’ll need to be more liberal with the sunscreen application going forward.

Also, although I’m thoroughly enjoying all the human connections I’ve been having on the journey so far, I’m finding that my introverted nature is feeling a bit drained at the same time, alongside the exertion, sun, and lack of sleep. I managed to get in a nap this afternoon for an hour and a half, which felt wonderful. I’m hoping it won’t thwart my sleep tonight, since I’ve got another 45 miles to go tomorrow.

But the weather remained beautiful today, and I bicycled around town for a total of a couple of hours. I’m so impressed by Eugene’s riverfront bike network. Absolutely gorgeous views, for miles.

Tomorrow I’m heading out toward Florence, on the coast; I’ll stop in the small forest town (I think it’s a woodsy place, based on the map) of Deadwood, Oregon. It appears that the journey will take me past a few lakes, so I’m looking forward to the scenery.

I’m adjusting to this life on the road. It can be a bit discombobulating at times, but mostly I am continuing to love it.

—

Do you have your own dream or project, and would like some support or collaborative brainstorming about it? Use the green “contact” button above to schedule a one-hour phone or video call with me!

Want to be notified of future blog posts? Use the green “sign up” button to subscribe!

Want to support my vision financially? I am in the process of manifesting $50,000 in lieu of a “salary” for the year of this journey. You can make a one-time or monthly contribution, or even become a fairy godfunder! (Heartfelt thanks to all my patrons and supporters!)

9/14/21

Today was my third travel day, and it was a full 50 miles. I said goodbye to my Corvallis hosts after a wonderful stay, and headed east, then south. The weather was warm and sunny, which was mostly welcome, but at times I would have preferred more shade. I took the more scenic route that Google Maps suggested: Peoria Rd and Coburg Rd, rather than 99W. It took me past some very beautiful trees standing alone in their fields. I also passed many farm-equipment vehicles along the roads. Drivers were quite courteous today, giving me ample berth as they passed.

Rest stops and parks were few and far between, but I stopped whenever I encountered them, which was three times, and soaked in the rest and scenery.

Unfortunately, my arms took the brunt of the sunshine today. I had put sunscreen on my face and the tops of my feet, as usual, but miscalculated that it was late enough in the season, and that my arms were already brown enough, that I wouldn’t need it there. The skin is now a bit sore, but I was glad to have some aloe gel to apply after my shower on arrival.

I’m staying with an old friend and his housemate in Eugene. These two have hosted me twice before, on train trips when they lived in a different but nearby house. We had a wonderful meal of mostly vegetables (followed by some chocolate-walnut Coconut Bliss, which brought back memories of my Salem time just a few days ago!) and now I am heading to bed, earlier than last night’s 2:00 (oof! Up at 7 this morning.)

Tomorrow: lots of human connections!

—

Do you have your own dream or project, and would like some support or collaborative brainstorming about it? Use the green “contact” button above to schedule a one-hour phone or video call with me!

Want to be notified of future blog posts? Use the green “sign up” button to subscribe!

Want to support my vision financially? I am in the process of manifesting $50,000 in lieu of a “salary” for the year of this journey. You can make a one-time or monthly contribution, or even become a fairy godfunder! (Heartfelt thanks to all my patrons and supporters!)

9/13/21

Today was another “rest day,” in between travel. I got to sink into Corvallis a bit, and that included spending time at the co-op (where I encountered the bike rack pictured above!) another market, and two parks, and socializing with several interesting people.

I had a nice walk along the riverfront path with a fellow who has traveled extensively around the United States and the world—having grown up in Oregon—and who will soon depart for Costa Rica, where he has plans to open a simple hostel for sustainable travelers, and perhaps in time, a more permanent intentional community. He spoke passionately about his love of travel, and his excitement to begin this new chapter of his life.

After that, I cycled over to a different park to meet up with a longtime Portland/Facebook acquaintance I had never really chatted with before. He has been living in Corvallis for the past year, with family, but is also preparing for a big leap: potentially joining a Buddhist monastery in southern California. We talked about travel, life, and what’s important in the grand scheme of things.

These are the kinds of conversations I am seeking on this journey. And I’m finding them, already.

On the way back to my hosts’, I stopped at the co-op for a few snacks for tomorrow’s ride. Then I returned for another lovely dinner, with a friend of theirs joining us, who is an avid cyclist and hiker/backpacker. We got to swap some stories, and I got to demonstrate the folding and unfolding of my Brompton, which I always enjoy.

Alongside the beautiful weather, relaxing parks, and enjoyable conversations, I admit I have had some worries begin seeping into my mind:

Am I truly prepared, physically and mechanically, for this journey? (I started making some calls today to bike shops in upcoming towns to see about getting reinforced tires for the trailer, for one example.)

I just discovered that I have a potential transit snafu coming up in a few days; I will need to make some new travel and lodging arrangements, and possibly line up backup plans as well. (However, already a Warmshowers host has agreed to let me stay, so that’s one piece falling into place. I’m loving how solutions seem to quickly follow problems so far.)

One other stressor: I am accustomed to having the time and consistent space each day to do the administrative tasks of my life, such as paying bills, as well as the time, and mental and emotional energy, to keep up with social connections to friends, whether on social media or by texts, emails, phone calls, or Zooms. I am finding it to be an adjustment to have much less of this time. The tradeoff, of course, is more engagement with “real life”: spending time outdoors and in motion, on my bike or on foot in parks and such, and having in-person conversations with my hosts and/or other locals in the places I visit. I’m loving it! But, there is a bit of stress in the adjustment.

Tonight after dinner, I was going to work on paying some bills, to alleviate some of this stress. But, when I noted that they aren’t due for at least another week, I chose instead to luxuriate in a wonderful hot bath, for more than an hour.

I think I made the right choice.

This is my life now.

—

Do you have your own dream or project, and would like some support or collaborative brainstorming about it? Use the green “contact” button above to schedule a one-hour phone or video call with me!

Want to be notified of future blog posts? Use the green “sign up” button to subscribe!

Want to support my vision financially? I am in the process of manifesting $50,000 in lieu of a “salary” for the year of this journey. You can make a one-time or monthly contribution, or even become a fairy godfunder! (Heartfelt thanks to all my patrons and supporters!)

9/11/21

Today I visited Silver Falls State Park, for my first time ever. This may seem surprising, since I’ve lived in Portland for 31 years. But, without ever owning a car, getting to natural places outside of town like that can be challenging.

After a goodbye to my Warmshowers hosts Kevin and Susan, I met my friend Robert for brunch from Infinity Room, which we ate in nearby Pringle Park Plaza since the weather was nice. I’ve always enjoyed that plaza, with its inviting fountains.

Then I pedaled out to my friend Kristi’s house, and met up with her, her housemates, her dog, and five of their six cats(!) Soon we set out (in Kristi’s car) for Silver Falls.

It was breathtaking! I’m so glad I made a point to visit on this trip. I’d love to go back sometime, and if I can somehow get their on (or at least with) my bike—it’s a long, hilly, and windy road with no bike lanes to get there—it appears that there are some great bike trails that would be cool to explore. We hiked for probably a total of an hour or so, but covered a very tiny portion of the park in that time.

Now I’m catching up on my communications—much harder now that I’m on the road, but I’m looking forward to finding time to talk with friends soon—and getting ready to turn in and rest up for my ride to Corvallis tomorrow.

Do you have a state park or other natural area near you that you’ve been kind of meaning to visit for some time? Please take my nudge to make the time and go do it now!

—

Do you have your own dream or project, and would like some support or collaborative brainstorming about it? Use the green “contact” button above to schedule a one-hour phone or video call with me!

Want to be notified of future blog posts? Use the green “sign up” button to subscribe!

Want to support my vision financially? I am in the process of manifesting $50,000 in lieu of a “salary” for the year of this journey. You can make a one-time or monthly contribution, or even become a fairy godfunder! (Heartfelt thanks to all my patrons and supporters!)

September 10, 2021


A couple of years ago, I wrote a blog post about how I started to “dream into” long-distance train travel, years ago.

And for the past year, as I have dreamed into this bike tour, I have employed a similar mind trick, which I believe has contributed to my success in being able to manifest this journey, and to be enjoying it so much so far:

For the past year, whenever I would notice myself bicycling around Portland—which was quite often, because I commuted to work three miles each way, four days a week, as well as doing most of my errands by pedal power—I would smile and say to myself, “This is my life now.” I would often follow up with a few more words, to the effect of “I ride around the country on my bike, going through neighborhoods just like this, and enjoying the scenery in each moment.”

Every time I did this, it gave me a lift. I would smile and think of how much I loved my life, and also think ahead to when this really would be “my life” 100% of the time.

And last night, that new life actually began!

Several times today, on my scenic ride to Salem from Portland, I said to myself, “This is my life now.” And then I smiled and smiled. I would glance back at my neon trailer, and feel the weight as I pulled it, and recognize that slight circumstantial difference from when I said those words before, vs. today. Today, it was really, really real!

But it was real all along, too. And I find that there is such a power in recognizing the components of dreams that are already real, already true. Such power in taking a moment whenever we notice it, and feeling joy and gratitude about the piece of our dream(s) that is already occupying space in our life as it is.

I invite you to try this in your own life. What is a dream you have? What is the “dream life” you would like to lead? What would it look and feel like, on a day-to-day, even moment-to-moment, basis? What parts of it do you already have? (Or could you easily add, even if only partially?) I invite you to step fully into gratitude for these aspects, every time you notice them, and affirm to yourself that “this is my life now.”

—

Now a brief travelogue from today:

The weather was unseasonably cool and overcast, and I even got misted on a few times. But I enjoyed the lack of blazing sun and heat, and thoroughly enjoyed the first full day of my journey.

After a lovely overnight stay with my Warmshowers hosts near my condo in SE Portland (which followed a lovely dinner from Siri Thai that a friend gifted me, in a park just as dusk was falling) I pedaled off this morning to the Milwaukie Transit Center. I had debated bicycling the whole way to Salem, but ultimately decided I didn’t want to face those formidable hills in Oregon City on my very first day. (I could just imagine blowing out my knees and ruining things for the foreseeable future.) So I rolled my rig onto a TriMet bus at the transit center, and rode it about half an hour, until we reached the top of the hill in Oregon City.

From there, it was a fairly easy and straightforward ride to Salem. I stopped for a snack in a Woodburn park, then again in Salem before arriving at my Warmshowers hosts for tonight. They are a delightful couple, and we shared several hours of pleasant conversation, as well as a brief walk to a neighborhood creek with a new bridge.

A part of me still can’t believe that “this is my life now”… but it is. I am so happy and so grateful.

—

Do you have your own dream or project, and would like some support or collaborative brainstorming about it? Use the green “contact” button above to schedule a one-hour phone or video call with me!

Want to be notified of future blog posts? Use the green “sign up” button to subscribe!

Want to support my vision financially? I am in the process of manifesting $50,000 in lieu of a “salary” for the year of this journey. You can make a one-time or monthly contribution, or even become a fairy godfunder! (Heartfelt thanks to all my patrons and supporters!)

Well, my third and final (I think!) practice trip is now complete. This past Wednesday and Thursday, I biked out for a one-night vacation stay in a lovely, cozy cabin at Stub Stewart State Park, about 50 miles northwest of Portland between Banks and Vernonia.

The trip was physically challenging—as I suspected and hoped it would be—so I think I got a good taste of what may be in store for me, physically, as I set out on the coming year’s journey.

I’ve done 50-mile days on a bike before, including most recently about a year ago when I went out to Estacada, southeast of Portland, and returned the same day. But I’ve never done it with a trailer before. The Chubby towed my belongings like a champ, and never felt uncomfortable to pull. However, I was rather surprised and chagrined to note that it took me an entire day (9:30 am to 7:15 pm) to make it from my door to the cabin’s door. In the past, that distance has usually taken me about seven hours, including lunch, snack, and photography breaks. This time, though, I did climb a total of at least 2000 feet—which I believe is a personal record—so that probably contributed to the time.

This time, too, there was one extra delay: after arriving at the BG Cartel Beaverton food cart pod I’d heard so much about—and ordering some Buddhist Delight to snack on for lunch and then save most of for dinner at my destination—I discovered to my consternation that I had managed to forget my bike lock! (You may recall that on my previous practice trip, I forgot my helmet. I don’t like this pattern.)

Fortunately, a quick Google map search revealed a bike shop just a few blocks away, so after lunch I headed over there, wheeled in my entire rig, and purchased a new U-lock, which if I’m honest was overdue anyway, so perhaps my forgetfulness was a blessing in disguise. I was also able to use the restroom at the bike shop, so all in all it was a worthwhile stop.

I got back on the road, and the temperatures continued to climb as I found beautiful farmland scenery, but sadly quite a dearth of shade. After an hour or two of riding in these conditions—continuously sucking down water from the hydration pack I learned I would need by taking my first practice trip—I found a small spot of shade and pulled over to rest a bit. I was soaked in sweat. My weather app told me the temperature was 93. I estimated I had about another 25 miles ahead of me, including 906 more feet of elevation to gain.

Oof.

But I did it! And after just a few more miles, I blessedly reached the Banks-Vernonia trail, with its ample shade, abundant blackberries, and countless sweet cherry trees which—remarkably at this point in the season—continued to drop their bounty of fresh and “sun dried” fruit all over the path and the grass surrounding it. A good chunk of my delay can probably be attributed to my resultant fruit feasting!

Those extra 906 vertical feet turned out to be almost entirely spread out over the 15 miles or so of very gently inclining trail. I didn’t get to any real hills until I actually reached the park, found the welcome center, and then had to ascend for another half-mile or so, though I admit I was thoroughly spent by that point, so I walked/pushed the bike up much of that last hill, pausing a few times to rest and then occasionally ride another short stretch.

I found the cabin nestled down in a hollow (as I descended, I thought, “this damn well better be the right turnoff! I’m not climbing back up out of this place tonight!”) and was the perfect haven to rest and relax.

There were families in most of the surrounding 14 cabins in the “village,” but the noise was manageable, and the kids next door to me were adorably friendly and exuberant to be camping.

I showered. I unpacked. I took in the view from the porch. I took a brief walk up a hill to sit at a picnic table and watch a sunset over stunningly beautiful wooded hills.

I wolfed down the rest of my food.

That night was one of my most restful nights of sleep in recent memory. All of my (numerous!) stresses about everything I need to take care of in the next month before I leave seemed to melt away in the wooded oasis.

The next morning, I awoke slowly, at a luxurious pace, and then went for a walk in the wooded trails. The light on the greenery was breathtaking at times.

Around noon, I packed up my things and wheeled up out of the hollow. The next 15 miles or so—back on the trail—were now on a slight downhill, so I was able to glide easily through the shady woods. I feasted once again on the cherries, then made my way back to Hillsboro, taking a different route through dry August western Oregon fields. Once in Hillsboro, I hopped on a light-rail train back to downtown Portland, saving myself at least 20 miles of pedaling. Just a few stops before I was to disembark, I noticed another passenger deboarding the train with his own, folded-up Brompton! Wow. I cross paths with people riding Bromptons around Portland maybe about once a month or so, but it was quite a kick to see someone who had been on very same train with me.

I biked the three or four miles back up a slight hill to get home, and soon set about diving back into “everything I need to do to get ready for this journey,” including packing up a few more boxes to take to my storage unit. I was back in the “real world,” and there was work to do.

But I’m so glad I took that trip! The escape from “reality” was so welcome, and the physical challenges of the distance, the heat, the hills, and the forgotten lock all showed me that I’m ready to do this.

One more month!!

—

Do you have your own dream or project, and would like some support or collaborative brainstorming about it? Use the green “contact” button above to schedule a one-hour phone or video call with me!

Want to be notified of future blog posts? Use the green “sign up” button to subscribe!

Want to support my vision financially? I am in the process of manifesting $50,000 in lieu of a “salary” for the year of this journey. You can make a one-time or monthly contribution, or even become a fairy godfunder! (Heartfelt thanks to all my patrons and supporters!)

Two weeks ago today (where does the time go??) I took my second “practice trip,” to Tacoma, Vashon Island, and Seattle. I used a combination of pedal power, Amtrak trains, and ferries/water taxis.

It was a great success! There were a few hiccups–which is a big part of why I do these trips, to learn from the mishaps–but overall, I had a wonderful time in the journey, as well as connecting with great people at my destination stops.

Rather than writing it all out, I’ll share some photos (below) and this video recap with you, where I share the high points as well as the challenges:

Some of my favorite photos from the trip:

And here is the interview with Diane I mention in the video; read it to be inspired! www.dreamintochange.com/interview-diane-emerson/

This journey is really hitting its stride, and I haven’t technically left yet! Thanks to all of you for following along with me!

—

Do you have your own dream or project, and would like some support or collaborative brainstorming about it? Use the green “contact” button above to schedule a one-hour phone or video call with me!

Want to be notified of future blog posts? Use the green “sign up” button to subscribe!

Want to support my vision financially? I am in the process of manifesting $50,000 in lieu of a “salary” for the year of this journey. You can make a one-time or monthly contribution, or even become a fairy godfunder! (Heartfelt thanks to all my patrons and supporters!)