His name is “Spokey” the housekeeper and mansion manager Debbie had named him. He comes from the club house and is quite a bit of a trouble maker who brakes into the inside of the mansion more than he knows he shouldn't!

Hi, John, glad my blog might have some use for you. I don't remember the route we took out of Astoria, but you can trace it here if you're interested:
https://strava.app.link/TDTGAd17Qxb

As for the iPad vs. phone: Yes, I wrote the entire blog on my phone. I type one-handed using the drag-your-finger-over-the-keyboard method, and it's pretty efficient, much better than having to tap on each letter. iOS devices only recently added that option, I believe, but it's been an option on Android for several years. But if I were doing it again, I might invest in one of those foldable keyboards to connect to my phone. But everyone's preferences are different. I would never try to type on an iPad. I originally packed it (for one day) because I thought I might like having it to read a book on. That was silly of me. Any time I would have spent reading was actually spent blogging. And I'm glad I did. Journaling is very therapeutic.

I just discovered CycleBlaze and created a profile. My brother and I will be riding from DC to Seaside, Oregon starting early May. Our route will coincide with yours from the Katy Trail to Kooskia, ID, so I'm gleaning some good intel from your journal. We're a bit older than you. My 50th high school reunion was 2 years ago.

Did you leave Astoria on 202 to get to Vernonia?

At the beginning of your journal you said you abandoned the iPad after the first day. Did you enter the whole journal on your phone? That would drive me nuts - fat fingers and teeny keyboard. Why did you leave the iPad behind?

Hey! Been meaning to reach out for a good while already, sorry. Mad congrads on your adventure! I feel honored to have played a small part in it. And hope you continue on to other wonderful,two-wheeled adventures!

My "cabin-biking" trip through Shenandoah's Skyline Dr up to Harpers Ferry and back down to DC was awesome! Loved me those climbs and descents! And a few weeks ago I bikepacked up to Pitt via the C&O Canal and GAP trails, which was fun in its own way. I don't see myself cycling across America but I've already been eyeing other grand touring/bikepacking adventures for next year, including C&O/GAP again in the spring just to spend more time at Ohiopyle SP. I'll be using your TransAm journal as inspiration!

Pedal on! :-)

Glad to hear you've not given up on touring again. And I'll look forward to reading about your next cycling adventure.

Thanks, George, I thought so too, and I hope I'm not coming across as preachy. Just recording my thoughts.

I suspect a lot of this audience agrees with your views on climate change - I certainly do. I'm also trying to avoid airline flights if there is another option, eat less meat, etc. Hey, I even travel by bicycle when I can! Wow, just think how much good it would do if everyone started using bicycles for just a little of their commuting. It's hard for me to imagine that a bicycle-friendly audience isn't also a climate conscious audience.

Tough societal problem with a variety of reasons why - I remember years ago being on a trip to Copenhagen and seeing a park full of people sleeping in the grass. I asked someone about the homeless problem and he said "Oh, those are just the junkies after their fixes." I think are now doing indoor "fixing" rooms to get the users out of the park(s).

Not saying all, or even most, of the homeless in the US are on drugs - many are forced by economic hardships, many by mental illness. But, seems like a problem in very many places with many solutions tried and the ones that work are usually expensive and/or controversial.

We stayed a couple nights and days in Portland as well, and had similar experiences to yours. I also witnessed a street protest; the day we were there was the day the Roe decision was overturned. The
protest" actually appeared to me as partly genuine but also as an excuse for certain elements to "disrupt" whatever it was they felt like interfering with, with no constructive alternative. In other words, causing civil disorder simply for the hell of it.

We rode a tram for a few blocks. One of the other people in our car was absolutely stoned to bejesus, insisting on making loud and vulgar remarks to all within earshot.

(👍)

Wow, thanks for the kind offer, Keith, but I'm all set!

I'm actually taking Amtrak to New Jersey, where my parents will pick me up, and then I'll take my car from their house to go pick up our cat from Dani's parents on my way down to D.C. (I never explained, but those are the cars in my "Bikes, Trains and Automobiles" trip home.)

As it happens I have very little on my schedule for tomorrow, and only the Nationals game Friday evening. If you want a hand getting your stuff from Union Station to your place give me a shout and I can be there to meet your train.

Congratulations to you both on completing the adventure of a lifetime! I followed you coast-to-coast and relived my own Transam adventure when you stayed in places and posted pics I was familiar with. From experience, I can tell you that it will be a little depressing at first as you miss the daily challenges, but later you will have time to revisit your journal and remember what a fantastic time this was. Best wishes in all your future adventures on and off the bike.

Really enjoyed following along and loved your style - and the addition of Dani's viewpoints and style made it even more enjoyable!

A geode! Nice observation.