Eugene, OR to Redmon, OR

Skip's third day of biking brought him from Eugene, OR all the way to the Eagle Crest Resort just outside of Redmond, OR.  Our day started out like any other, Skip out of bed at about 5:30 AM, and I, not too far behind.  Arch would sleep in a little, which is amazing that all our morning preparations don't wake him!  Once Skip makes sure he has all of his gear in order, we've checked the weather conditions for the day, and we double check his route, and where we are going to plan on stopping for the evening, I send him off at about 7AM.  Of course none of this would be possible without one of the worlds most amazing discoveries... Coffee!!  So with my second cup in hand, I get on the computer to update the blog, check e-mail, download pictures and the like, which is usually accompanied by some frustrated whispering at the screen, and lack of internet connection that sometimes occurs.  There is also a lot of scratching my head, wondering how to make one thing show up somewhere else without accidentally erasing EVERYTHING!  But so far so good... as I knock on the wood desk.  

As I was on the phone with Cindy, Arch's wonderful wife, asking what the best way to wake Arch would be, L-E took care of it for me.  In her usual morning routine, she's learned that the alarm usually means we will be getting up soon, and to speed that process along, she will position her little black nose right up to Skip's nose, and wait till he notices, (usually doesn't take too long, depending on what was on the menu for dinner the night before.).  She goes to Skip first because she knows he's the early riser of the family!  So since I was awake, and Skip had left for the morning, the only one left to wake up was Arch.  As I was in the middle of asking Cindy what to do, L-E got her nose right up to Arch and waited.  Within moments, Skip's father opened his eyes and laid a hand on L-E's head.  Which made her very happy, and she quickly retrieved her bone and hopped in bed with him.  

Once packed and ready to go, we received a message from Skip that we stop at the Vida Cafe for breakfast.  I can now proudly say that I have had the best veggie omelette!  The Vida Cafe is family owned and operated, and located along Hwy 126 near Leaburg.  You can see Skip's signature in the guest book at the cash register!  

Not too much later, we caught up with Skip.  His goal for that day had been to climb the Mckenzie Pass, along Route 242.  But unfortunately, the pass was closed for the day, and our alternate route took us along the 126 through the Santian Pass.  The weather had called for slight showers, and it had delivered, so after a quick wardrobe changed, Skip continued up the pass.  Me and Arch went ahead to meet him at the summit, at an Elevation of 4817 ft!  

This day was going to prove to be one of our most challenging yet.  The temperature was in the low 50's, there was a constant drizzle, fog, and a big climb!  While waiting for Skip, we got on the phone and worked on getting lodging for the night.  Unfortunately, in Sister's, where we had originally meant to stop, was all booked.  So instead of Skip being able to end his day in Sisters, which was right at the bottom of his descent, I had to ask Skip to continue on for another 17 miles. 17 doesn't seem like much, but after close to 75 miles of uphill battle, it was going to take a lot of of him.  Our final destination would bring us all to the Eagle Crest Resort, located just outside Redmond, along our current route, and 128 miles from Skip's start in the morning.  

Skip suddenly materialized out of the fog at the top of the pass, just when Arch and I were thinking about going to check on his progress.  He was wet, cold, and exhausted, but otherwise glad to hear he had made it.  We let Skip know we had booked a room, and went to go meet him at the bottom of the pass.  As soon as we started our descent into Sisters, the sun suddenly made an appearance, the clouds lifted, and the rain disappeared as if it had never been there in the first place.  This was a good sign!  When Skip reached the bottom, it was quite a relief!  We were both very happy to see him conquer this first pass.  After a coffee break, and some food, we went on to find and check into our hotel.  Skip was tired but ready for the last leg of the day with the promise of a hot bath and a good meal.  When we pulled into the Eagle Crest Resort, it was so much more than we could of hoped for.  Unbeknownst to me when I booked our room, they had two golf courses, two sports complexes, and over ten miles of walking and biking trails!  It was amazing!  

When we all got settled in, and Skip was soaking in a hot bath, me and L-E decided to go for a well needed run.  As we rounded a corner, and I'm still kicking myself for not having my camera, were two deer standing in a patch of long grass.  When I first saw them, I was quite startled, I actually did not think hey were real.  They stood so still they made me think that it was pretty neat that the resort would put out realistic statues around the property for some wildlife ambiance.  I also stated to think it was really creepy that as L-E and I continued our jog around the corner, that these statues seemed to be watching our every move... And then I was startled for the second time in 2 minutes  when one of the deer took a step forward to perhaps get a better look at ME!  The one time I don't bring my camera I have a close encounter with two gorgeous deer.  Even at the zoo, I've not been that close.  After imprinting the vision in my head, we continued on, and not even a mile down the path we spotted another lone deer.  This one took a good look at us, and then went on it's own way onto the golf course.  L-E and I turned around and headed back to the hotel feeling like we had managed to have another great National Geographic moment!  Now nestled into the grass, were the first two deer settling in for a good nights rest.  Wow! I was amazed.

So now we begin on our 4th day on our journey, with laundry done, and some more great memories, we truck on...

Skip's second day on the adventure!!!

August 6^th 2009

 

 Skip's first day of biking brought us 119 miles down the Oregon coastline.  I've never seen anything like it!  The contrast of the mountains and the ocean was gorgeous.  We will definitely be coming back to visit.  After we sent Skip off on his ride, Arch and I went back to our motel to get packed up and on the road, and other than a couple small detours and photo opportunities, we managed to catch up with Skip in Tillamook, OR.  We got lunch at Oceanside, and continued on.  

Skip's first day finished in Pacific City, and after a well deserved dinner, and good night's sleep, at 7AM the next morning he was back on the bike!<--L-E giving Skip a high five to send him off on his second day!!

And so began his second day on the adventure!  Arch, L-E and I hung back a little to get some exercise out on the beach.  Me and L-E found ourselves inspired by Skip's efforts, and went on what I like to refer to as, our "National Geographic Moment".  If you've ever been to Pacific City, you've seen the big rock out in the Ocean.  What a view!   <-- L-E and I were up on what you can see the sun setting behind in that first picture.

After our mini adventure, we all piled back in the car, and continued on to catch up with Skip.  We found him along the 99W, which would take us into Eugene, OR, where we would stay the night.  We stopped to pass along some cookies we had purchased in Pacific City, and to encourage Skip to keep on pedaling!!  L-E was ready to run along with Skip, she thought it was quite unfair to leave him behind, :).  So in the end, Skip made it to Eugene, 128.9 miles from Pacific City.  A very tired, yet satisfied Skip pulled into The Red Lion Hotel at 5PM.  

I'd like to thank the Red Lion and it's staff for they're great accommodations!!

   So here we go again, another day on the road for Skip, which includes a 5000 FT climb, so stay tuned, we will definitely let you all know how he makes out!

    <-- From left to right, Jim Pettus, Archer Bailey, Skip Bailey, and of course, L-E                                                                           

       L-E modeling her Team Fox jersey  -- >    

         <-- Skip heading off from Astoria! It begins
                      Skip and his father christening the bike in the Pacific-->                            

                                                                   

                                                           

   Skip and Arch at the end of Skip's first day of biking.  He made it from Astoria, OR, down the coast to Pacific City, 119 miles in total!!  We've been feeling the love and support from all over the country.  We'd like to send a big thank you to Jim Pettus, who picked Arch up from the train station yesterday, and was there early this morning to send Skip off.  

Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!!! 

<--- Skip and his father Archer upon our arrival in Astoria, OR!

 Since we started our drive out to Skip's starting point on Sunday we’ve crossed through Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, and finally Oregon!!!  So here's a little overview of how it's been.

On Monday, August 3rd, we almost ran out of gas while we were driving through Wyoming… but as we came around a ridge, we found a small gas station in Arlington.  We had been so engrossed in checking out the scenery, we were shocked when the gaslight came on, but I have to admit, it was amazing scenery.  I got to see my very first herd of Bison!!! They were amazing! And we also spotted a group of what at first we assumed were deer.  According to some information we gathered at the gas station, they were antelope! They also had 183 wind turbines, snow fences, the wind always blows, and yes, they liked where they lived.  All this information was posted on a sign.  As we trucked along, the landscaped changed into some incredible sights.  We could see for miles, and it was a mix of desert, wild jasmine, and these mammoth rolling hills of rock, grass and the occasional herd of cattle. Since my camera was quickly losing battery life, it took great amounts of self-control, and Skip telling me repeatedly to “wait… it gets better! You already have pictures of wind turbines and hills.”  So as I watched and waited, L-E managed too fall asleep in her water dish… twice, which was definitely worth a picture or two, and I still got 75 more photos out of our little Canon Elph!  It’s battery life finally died as the sun was falling down behind the foothills in Utah.

The next day of driving brought us out of Utah, through Idaho, and then into Oregon.  We were a little tired of being in the car, and even though L-E got to stretch her legs at all the stops as well, we were all feeling a little cramped.  That might of also had something to do with the hundreds of miles of wilderness we were driving through.  Herds of horses and cattle, driving alongside the Columbia River for what seemed like infinity, and coming around a bend with the majestic Hood Mountain observing from a distance.  

But when we finally pulled into the motel parking lot, and turned off the engine, it was a great feeling to meet up with Arch, who had arrived earlier in the day.  Arch had boarded a train on Sunday morning from Cleveland Ohio.  

So now begins our adventure back across the states!  Except this time, it's going to be a whole new eye opening experience.  I believe this first week will be a little bit of trial and error... But like any adventure, if you knew what was already going to happen, and how everything would play out, how much fun would you really have??? 

I'd love to get a whole bunch of pictures up for you guys, but my technological skills aren't very advanced :) So if anyone out there could point me in the right direction, let me know!!!!  

 

Day Two!!! Ogden Utah

Today was a long day of driving, but we made it through two time zones!!! So we've gained ourselves an extra two hours of sleep for our efforts.  It's been an amazing drive, and the time flew by in some parts.  Tomorrow, our camera will be all charged up, so we will be getting some great pictures up to show you guys.  

On another note, we'd really like to thank Pat and Nicole Boyle, from Showplace Production, and Michael Puffer, for they're generous sponsorship of Skip on his trip.  Along with the sponsorship of Ron Taylor and PATCO, this trip wouldn't be possible. 

So check in again with us soon, to see the first photos of our journey out to Oregon!

We are on our way...

<--- L-E, our Golden Retriever mascot doing what she does best on road trips!

Well, we're on our way!!!! Skip, L-E and I are 500 miles closer to Oregon, in Avoca, Iowa.  We all jumped in the car around 3 Pm this afternoon in St-Charles,Illinois.  Skip just finished up two weeks at Equifest, a horse show put on by Pat Boyle and ShowPlace Productions, where he was course designing.  

I'm not sure if it's all sunk in yet that we are finally on our way, before we know it, we will join Skip's father in Astoria, and Skip will be getting on his bike!  In the past couple weeks, we've seen so much support from our friends and colleagues, and it's touched us deeply.  We can't thank you enough!  

We will be getting back on the road early tomorrow morning, so it's time to get some well needed sleep! 

Ride for a Cure

    We are now only about 5 days from starting our trip across the US, and we have raised just over $4500!!!! Let's keep it up! And a BIG THANK YOU to all those who've shown so much support, we couldn't do it without you :).  

    You all know where we are starting, and where will will finish our adventure, but I thought you might also like to know what towns and cities we will be passing through.  So here it goes ( a map will be forthcoming...)

ASTORIA, OR,  SEASIDE, OR,  ARCHCAPE, OR,  MANHATTAN BEACH, OR,  TILLAMOOK, OR,  SANDLAKE, OR,  ROSE LODGE, OR,  SALEM, OR,  MONMOUTH, OR,  CORVALLIS, OR,  EUGENE, OR,  SISTERS, OR,  REDMOND, OR,  PRINEVILLE, OR,  JOHN DAY, OR,  BAKER CITY, OR,  OXBOW, OR,  

CAMBRIDGE, ID,  NEW MEADOWS, ID,  GRANGEVILLE, ID,  KOOSKIA, ID,  LOWELLE, ID,  

MISSOULA, MT,  LOLO, MT,  HAMILTON, MT,  DILLON, MT,  ENNIS, MT,  WEST YELLOWSTONE, MT,  

JACKSON HOLE, WY,  MADISON, WY,  DUBOIS, WY,  FORT WASHAKIE, WY,  LANDER, WY,  LAMONT, WY,  RAWLINS, WY,  SARATOGA, WY,  

WALDEN, CO,  KREMMLING, CO,  BRECKENRIDGE, CO,  HARTSEL, CO,  CANON CITY, CO,  PUEBLO, CO,  OLNEY SPRINGS, CO,  SHERIDAN LAKE, CO,  

TRIBUNE, KS,  SCOTT CITY, KS,  DIGHTON, KS,  ALEXANDER, KS,  GREAT BEND, KS,  HUTCHISON, KS,  TORONTO, KS,  GIRARD, KS,  

WALNUT GROVE, MO,  CENTERVILLE, MO,  

MURPHYSBORO, IL,  

ELIZABETHTOWN, KY,  MCDANIELS, KY,  MAMMOTH CAVE, KY,  BEREA, KY,  ELKHORN, KY,  

DAMASCUS, VI,  CHRISTIANSBURG, VI,  LEXINGTON, VI,  CHARLOTTESVILLE, VI,  RICHMOND, VI,  YORKTOWN, VI

So keep watching, we may be stopping at a town near you!!!!  And if you have a bike, don't be shy, join the journey for a couple miles, become a part of the ride for a cure!