A quick update from Michael

Hello all!

I promised Michael that I would post a picture from the farm, so that the next time he stopped at an internet cafe he could see the progress. Michael, as you can see, Toby is having a great time and his farm is beautiful!

Michael called yesterday - 6/23 - he was in Baker City, Oregon, which is in the Northeastern corner. He's been having a great time since he left Arcata, and I plan to do a big update with all of the details just as soon as I get Michael's pictures (promised in the next few days). A few highlights;
Absolutely LOVED Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park (CA), Stout Grove, CA (on Neal's recommendation), and Diamond Lake (near Crater Lake, OR). Had his first and only 100 mile day en route to Bend, OR. Also just passed the 1,000 mile mark!

He's finishing up his diagonal through Oregon, heading north on 102, which turns into 3 at Enterprise, OR. Then will pass the border into Washington near Clarkson.

Oh yeah, and once every 2-3 days he has to stop and get more calories in the form of a really greasy cheeseburger, fries, and a dessert! Prairie City, OR, has had the best hamburgers so far.

Going Away Party Photo!

Here is a great photo from the going away party, courtesy of Kristin! She also sent another shot, looks like it is somewhere around the Coast. Huge Eucalyptus trees!

Departure and Coast Photos

This list is not in order, but you all should be able to figure out which one is which!

On the ferry over to San Francisco

"The Rig"

Descending down to Limantour Beach at Point Reyes National Seashore

Michael and Kristen enjoying the scenery

Big hill near Jenner

"Cool campsite near the Russian River"

Kitchen at the Russian River campsite

Lots and Lots of Photos!

Hello everyone,

Michael emailed lots of photos to me this morning. He has been in Arcata, visiting with friends and volunteering on their farm. Picking lots of veggies and doing some weeding. He said that he is "off to the Oregon border, and should be there in, oh, 2 days or so..."

So, enjoy these photos - the ones on this page are of Michael's departure from Bobcat Ranch, and then departure from Oakland.

Michael - here's one from us (the Farm on Putah Creek gang). Today is Nina's 26th Birthday! Craig McNamara got her a very special pinana - Super Girl! Tomorrow we have a going away party for Brandon. Happy riding!

News from Fort Bragg

This is direct from an email from Michael today!

I am now in Fort Bragg. I decided to take a rest day here as the lack of physical ability, abundance of head wind and the relentlessness of hills has wooped me for a day. Fort Bragg is a cool little town. It is actually the first real town I have been through since San Fran. Well there have been many towns but this place has kids and schools and businesses for locals and local shops that don't gouge the passer through. I got hooked up by Fort Bragg Cyclery with some tools and smokin prices.

I have met a few cool folks so far. A few days back I met two groups of bikers. One group was three young ladies that have recently graduated from college somewhere in Washington. The other group was two people from Quebec and two guys from Minn. All where cool and in school or very very recently out. I also met a really cool lady, Barbara, on the side of the road south of Fort Bragg. I was heading up a hill and saw Barbara having some bike problems. I pulled over and offered my assistance. I ended up giving here entire bike a quick tune-up. She then invited me up to here house for a cup of Joe. I accepted and we rode to her house about a mile away. She had recently purchased 10 acres of land adjacent to the Russian Gulch State Park. Really nice place full of trees and hasn't been logged in about 100 years. I then met her friend Richard who has been a logger for about 40 years. I learned a ton about trees and logging. So I drank too much coffee went for a six mile hike and chatted about green businesses with Barbara as she recently received her Green MBA from the Presidio School of Business ( I think).

Super cool Lady. Now I am just playing it cool and thinking about a walk on the beach. The Northern Coast is pretty sweet.

I hope you are well.Michael

P.S. I haven't found any place to be able to send pictures yet but I will try in Arcata.

He's alive and in Point Arena!

That's right, it only took him two days to call me back - says that there is not a lot of cell phone coverage out on the coast! I guess I believe him.





If you are wondering where Point Arena is...http://maps.google.com/maps?q=California&f=s&utm_campaign=en&utm_source=en-ha-na-us-google-gm&utm_medium=ha&utm_term=ca%20map


In the absence of pictures from him, I am finding some on the web to use for now :-)

So, a bit of history on what he's been up to;

After leaving SF, he and Kristen traveled together to Salt Point (north of the Russian River by about 25 miles), where he had to take a bus to Santa Rosa, get a rental car, and drive the 5 or so hours to Reno for his Mother's wedding party. So, took about a 4-day break.

Back on the road, he traveled up Highway 1, and talked specifically about a "big hill" in Pt. Reyes where it was 17% grade (near Limantour State Beach). Crazy. His mantra right now, being on Highway 1 without any shoulders, is the following;

"When the wind hits you hard, aim for the ditch"

Other fun facts;

• Trying to be a "tough guy" we went without padded bike shorts for the first five days. Now he's got them and he is converted.
• He's been camping every night.
• Lots of headwind today, is going around 46 miles, and is camping tonight at the Manchester State Park
• Has been carrying all of his food on him (heavier, but a lot cheaper) and only stops for treats.

Next up - Fort Bragg, and then Arcata. He thinks that he'll be able to send photos for sure from Arcata!

Michael's been gone for over a week...

The story starts out with Michael departing Davis on Saturday, May 24th (I think) and heading to SF. This was all to start out with a bang by leaving the city by way of the Golden Gate Bridge. According to Michael, he was going to swim in the Pacific before getting started.

I've left a voicemail and we will see how long it takes him to get back to me!