Homeland Security?

So, three days ago we head out for a leisurely sail on the Columbia River, only to find ourselves immediately accosted by the US Coast Guard. Why? Something to do with Homeland Security. We're guessing it had to do with the huge cruise ship moored right outside the only entrance to the mooring basin where we keep our boat.

The Coast Guard boat approached our sailboat very rapidly, came right up next to it, and demanded the IDs of everyone on board, along with the boat registration. These items we passed over the water to one of the CG crew, and they kept them for a good 30 to 45 minutes while doing background checks. I hope this was just a drill, but I sure didn't like the looks of the large gun mounted on the bow of the CG boat.

The next day, I headed back to the mooring basin after work to go for another sail. Deja vu. There's another cruise ship parked in the same darn place. Another Coast Guard encounter to look forward to? Not this time.

Diamond Lake, Oregon

I've got another, relatively new blog, but this blogger seems to be a little more user friendly. I'd love to be able to transfer the posts on my other blog to this one, but haven't figured out a way to do it. Here's the other address:
http://blueheron61.bravejournal.com/

We got home Sunday afternoon, after having participated in Cycle Oregon's 20th Anniversary week-long ride. The scenery was spectacular, and some of the days were pretty tough. I'm happy to announce that I didn't ride the SAG wagon, 'tho may have been tempted once or twice.

Day 1 was 60.5 miles, Sisters to La Pine
Day 2 was 92.5 miles, La Pine to Diamond Lake
Day 3 was (optional) 59.8 miles, Crater Lake
Day 4 was 88 miles, Diamond Lake to Dorena Lake
Day 5 was 55.5 miles, Dorena Lake to Oakridge
Day 6 was 65 miles, Oakridge to Rainbow
Day 7 was 45.5 miles, Rainbow to Sisters

And of course, there was much climbing. Thousands of feet, and sometimes 8-9 percent grade. I did it, but had a pretty good internal whine going. I did NOT opt to do the Crater Lake ride on Day 3 - I've done it before, and instead enjoyed the beautiful Diamond Lake, pictured below, with Mt. Thielsen in the background. I've got more Cycle Oregon (and doll) photos here:
www.picturetrail.com/blueherondolls

For Better or Worse

For better or worse, I'm leaving in the morning to participate in Cycle Oregon's 20th anniversary, along with 2000 other bicyclists. If you don't hear from me again, it means I will have expired somewhere along the route.

My lycra shorts are nearly dry and ready to pack. If you've never spent much time in the saddle, you'll know it's not for the fashion statement, but out of necessity, that bicyclists wear lycra.

I did manage to ride 50 miles last week, then hiked Saddle Mountain with some friends. And I rode 23 miles this week. While it's not nearly enough, it'll help.

Here's the top of Saddle Mountain, where we ate our picnic lunch. My friends Allison and Autumn are in the corner of the photo. The vista was beautiful.