thirtysixer

Another night in Eugene was spent with the Thompsons. Good beer, and good food was polished off nicely with heavy conversation.

Before meeting up with Matt Burney, I was wondering around the Saturday Market and found a coffee shop selling these Italian Pizzelles.

I was getting hungry before Matt showed up so I stopped it to the Park St Cafe for a bite. I got their scramble, complemented with homefries. They were both well seasoned and hardy. Hangin’ out here also afforded me the opportunity of WiFi, as I can only receive phone calls through the skype on my WiFi enabled iPod Touch.

I meet up with Matt and his family and continue to chow down, this time on some fresh veggies loaded with some sort of peppery substance. That burn was quickly doused by a frozen treat made of pureed fruits.

We all rode back on our individual cycles(two bikes, a tandem, and my unicycle), and geared up to go float the Willamette River.

It felt just right riding in the back of a pickup truck, as this is my favorite way to hitchhike(not so much in the winter).

I floated in an inner-tube for most of the three hour ride, and then finally jumped into the kayak as I was getting a little cold from the mountain water.

Afterward, we all did our part to prepare burritos. Now, Matt’s a vagabond like myself. He’s only where he is temporarily until this fall he intends to leave on a two year bike trip around the world. This also leaves him with no kitchenware. All the ingredients were sliced and diced with pocket knives.

In the morning, after sleeping by the river in one of Matt’s old tents(it was WAY hot in his house), I left Eugene, and started my last leg towards the coast.

I of course, had to stop for coffee on the way out of town. I found this unique looking building resembling a chain coffee shop at first. I imagine A LOT of money went into this place. Multiple big screens, expensive funishings, and two top of the line La Marzocco espresso machines. The building itself was made of stone and incorporated a drive-thru.

The menu offered free substitutions of milk, including Hemp, and Coconut. I took full advantage of this. I had to know what a coconut milk latte was like. Their other drinks were well prepared, but the coconut milk definitely belonged in a frozen drink or something.

Coconut Milk Latte:

Riding towards the coast I saw plenty of farmland.

I met a man walking up the coast, telling stories to all who will listen.

I rolled into Corvallis to waste some time. Didn’t feel Like riding in the heat, so I sat in a coffee shop or two instead.

I found interzone, owned by a photographer. Lots of cool designs on the walls and a really good drink. He gave me a postcard to take with me on my way.

I enjoyed the car sized bike lanes.

I had this terribly dry sandwich thing from a New Morning Bakery in town. Way crowded with terrible service. Worst part, I suppose one of my pet peeves, was the poorly rinsed glasses left soap bubbles in my water cup.

The next place I visited was The Sunnyside Up Cafe, by recommendation of a new friend named Joseph whom joined me and the Thompson’s for dinner in Eugene.

I had a Traditional Chai, made with actual brewed Chai spiced black tea, sugar, and milk; no concentrate. Very good. Same goes for the brownie I consumed.

I eventually rode out, seeking a place to sleep for the evening. I watched the sun set as I rode on a bike path by my poorly lit headlamp.

I settled at this equestrian center with permission from the director as they were deconstructing the local fair. Took me awhile to get to sleep.

The closer I got to the Ocean, the prettier my surroundings got. More trees, and less cars.

I knew I had reached the Pacific when I saw this Cloud not matching the otherwise sunny weather pattern. I hit the super trafficked highway 101 somewhere around Neskowin. Riding through this cloud, the temperatures dropped to that of the ocean water. It was rather refreshing after the heat I had just been through.

I had been told multiple times about the award winning Pelican Brewing Company in Pacific City. So I stopped and had an IPA(India Pelican Ale), and talked up some of the locals. One of which decided I needed to try a shot of the local Crater Lake Vodka. Very well, not getting very far today.

I set up camp very close, at Whalen Island State Park, with my new friend whom bought me the shot. He already had his tent laid out passed out inside by the time I arrived. I proceeded to lay out my Tyvek and sleep on the ocean.

I awoke in the morning and ran into a fellow cyclist I had met at Pelican the night before. I continued up to Cape Lookout and beyond.

I stopped for breakfast in Tillamook; some very poor biscuits and gravy.

I then got the tour of Tillamook Cheese Factory. This product is in all the grocery stores in Oregon, kinda cool to see where it was produced, though a little crowded for my tastes.

Apparently Tillamook is far inland on this giant flood plain which offers great agriculture to the surrounding farms.