Hotel Richie

Yesterday I went 75 miles (I took a shortcut). Along the way I saw the pretty countryside of Oregon. From Seaside to Bay City I saw beautiful, rich farm land and at one farm a herd of goats. They didn't faint when I rode by so I don't know what kind they were. The people I've met so far are friendly and helpful. For example, I made a water stop in Tillamook. The young lady behind the counter was so interested in my trip she went to her car and plugged cities into her GPS to show me distances, very nice. After I got my water and a Red Bull I stood outside relaxing and this man walked up and just started chatting. Turns out Dick Crossley owns the store and the Tillamook Country Smoker, a huge beef jerky factory. Before he left he gave me his card and made me promise to call him if I ran into trouble. A nicer man you wouldn't meet. Later on in the day I passed a huge herd of llamas of all types. I would have stopped and taken a few pictures for Eve but I was afraid I wouldn't get back on the bike. When I got to Grand Ronde I looked for the hotel noted on my map. Turns out it was a casino with attached inn that I am sure my sister Sandra could have stayed at free of charge. But, when I strolled into the lobby and asked for the rate I thought, now's a good time to checkout my camping gear. And the rate they were going to charge me was after I told them I was one quarter Cherokee and deserved the brotherhood rate. I John Wayned it back to my bike (remember 75 miles) and rode down the road to a Qwik Mart. By this time I was looking for anything as I was tired, legs were cramping and my butt was screaming stop. I got a corn dog and ask the attendant where the nearest campground was. Across the street. I never would have found it. I paid my ten dollars and pitched my tent near the bathhouse. I laid in the tent and listened to my Ipod until the sun went down and settled down for a good nights rest. Now, I have found the firmest mattress of all which made me toss and turn to find a comfortable position. Sometime during the night I heard voices, one said, yeah my sister has one like that. Then I heard one approaching my tent. I yelled out that they had better leave my stuff alone. Then one rushed to my bike and started opening my saddlebag pockets. I tried to jump up and couldn't, I was being held down. I started kicking but couldn't raise my legs. I was struggling to get up but couldn't move. Just before I screamed for my life, I woke up. These darn sleeping bags take some getting used to. And that's why I am in a hotel tonight. Today I biked only 50 miles on more level stretches. Oregon is really biker friendly and today I benefited from bike paths and wide shoulders. Some rolling hills, but nothing like the last two days. But looking at the map, the Cascades are looming with a 5000' climb.