June 11, 2025
Day 1 Ft Stevens to Wheeler
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All my anxiety left me after Bryan held us up in prayer and said goodbye and I pedaled that first stroke. We were on our own and touring again.
The first 20 miles took us off the 101 on some quiet roads that led past Ft Clatsop, where Lewis and Clark spent their second winter before returning home. The marine layer kept the temps mild and shielded from the sun. Soon we were in Seaside, where teams from the Corps of Discovery extracted salt by boiling sea water which was used by Lewis and Clark to preserve the needed meat and fish for the return home. Today Seaside is a busy tourist stop as witnessed by all the traffic.
Leaving Seaside we entered US 101, which seems much busier and noisier than it did in 2015. But the views remain spectacular. Soon we were in Cannon Beach then back on the 101 with varying shoulder widths and a tunnel. As busy as it was, the traffic was kind to us.
Finally just past Nehalem we saw our first cyclist touring. Pete and Thomas are from the UK and traveling the left coast to San Francisco. Pete is in health care and Thomas is in his second year of Uni. What a joy to spend 30 minutes on the side of the road swapping stories.
Because Nehalem State Park is closed for renovations, we found a tent spot at the Paradise Cove Resort and Marina. We are on the paradise lost section of the establishment but we have shelter, water and a shower. The gal at the registration booth suggested smash burgers at the Mohler Coop, which required a 3.5 mile backtrack and return, but well worth it.
54+ miles and 3622 feet of climbing was enough for Day One
Today's ride: 54 miles (87 km)
Total: 58 miles (93 km)
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