August 18 Crossing America

Astoria, OR – Wheeler, OR distance 46 miles
Total distance traveled through today 4,351 miles, 3,683 on my bike.

The Old Guy Driving across the Astoria Bridge

We made an early start today as Larry and I have to drive to Astoria to begin my ride down the Oregon Coast.  Arrived in Astoria about
noon and drove across the Astoria Bridge.

Astoria Bridge in background

The Adventure Cycling maps had me cross the Columbia River via Ferry which I did on the 16^th with Joyce.  I’d also been warned by a local rider not to ride my bike across as the bridge has lots of traffic and currently undergoing some renovations.  About midway across met a touring cyclists riding his bike across, he made it safely. I’d rather not take such chances needlessly.
Finally on my bike by 1:30 left from Warrenton, a little community south of Astoria, didn’t make it 3 ½ miles without getting a flat tire due to all the debris covering the shoulder of the road.  In addition to
large amount of debris on the shoulder, it was misting rain and much to my concern very heavy traffic.  While bent over changing my tire I realized my butt was hanging out into the highway, actually a couple drivers honked at me.  Not a good start to riding the Oregon coast as I was soaking wet to the bone, cold and miserable thinking about riding with so much traffic whizzing by me.  I was thankful today was going to be a short ride.
Larry found us a campsite at a Kelly’s Marina in Rockaway Beach just south of Wheeler.  The State Park we hoped to stay at was full.  He  chose a secluded campsite tucked into the woods at the end of the campground so we didn’t have to listen to someone’s RV generator run all night, I appreciated that.  Even though there was a thick cover of woods between us and the Pacific Ocean’s vicious wind managed to keep us cold, well at least me.  Though Larry said he was used to the wind and low temperature, he did put on a fleece shirt I had.  We set up our tents due haste.  We decided instead of cooking, I probably
couldn’t have endured the cold long enough, we opted to eat Teriyaki flavored smoked salmon we’d purchased earlier in Astoria.  The salmon was delicious.  We also had some Tillamook cheddar cheese and crackers, washing it all down with a couple beers.  Then I drove the van to the marina proper and took a long hot shower to warm up.  After my shower, Larry and I called it a night and we were in out tents by 8:30 as it had been a long day.  Tonight I slept inside my sleeping bag with my fleece liner and sheet.  Up until now I only needed my liner and sheet to stay warm.  I did sleep all warm and
snugly.

Freighters waiting to be piloted to Portland, Astoria was the beginning of ships being piloted up rivers

Welcome to Oregon another State added to my list

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