So what does one do on his day off from riding? I am not sure what everyone else did, but I can tell you that some of us did similar things. Barb rolled in from Portland for a visit on Monday June 30, about 3:00 PM. Of course my riding buddies, Mary, Steve and Dan couldn’t wait to meet her and tell her what I have been up to and what I was like, like this was going to be something new for her? Nothing would surprise her, in regards to my behavior, after 30 years of marriage. I got Barb settled in and went to Road Rap at 4:00 PM. We said good bye to four members of the group who had only signed on through Boise. It was sad to see them go and we wish them well. Larry Swartz, who has ridden with us quite a bit, will rejoin us on the last day near Portsmouth. It will be a sweet reunion. Barb joined the riders for dinner at Perkins, where she met Dan, Mary, and Steve. There we laughed and teased and shared each special event that had happened over the last 8 days.

After dinner Barb and I went back to our room and got caught up on family happenings. That evening I made a list of things I needed to accomplish to get the website brought up to date and went to work on that list. We went to bed about 10:00 PM.

I was able to sleep until 6:00 AM which is really good for me. (Remember, we had a time change right before we got to Ontario, OR. We moved our clocks ahead one hour.) I got the coffee going and went to work on labeling pictures form the past few days of riding and completed narratives of the last two days. At about 9:00 AM Barb and I started to breakfast at the Perkins Restaurant across the parking lot. We were joined my Dan and Mary.

Afterwards we drove to a laundry mat. Barb and I dropped off Mary and Dan and our laundry. I paid the folks there to do my laundry. Barb went and picked up a list of supply items that I had made earlier, from Albertsons. I went and got a hair cut. While making conversation, I told them that I was riding my bike across America, that I had left from Astoria 8 days ago, and was heading to Mountain Home tomorrow. Pretty soon all three barbers and their clients were engaged in the conversation. I told them about the website and Dave took down the address. I shared with them how I took pictures and maintained the site. I told them I was sorry I hadn’t brought my camera or I would have taken their picture. They seemed so excited that I offered to come back with my camera and take their picture. So I did.

Barb and I went off to my first Starbucks since leaving home. Oh, for a good Starbucks! It was off to lunch where we were joined by Mary, Dan, and Steve. We stuffed the five of us in the Camry. Remember, Dan is a little taller than I am and Steve, slightly smaller. We ate lunch at the same place where we had eaten the day before. We had spotted two bike shops we wanted to investigate. Mary, Dan and Steve all made purchases. All this time we laughed and joked.

Barb and I dropped the team off at the motel. I ran up and got my camera. We returned for my laundry and I took the picture of the barbers at Cecil’s Barber Shop. I recommend this place if you are ever in Boise. They get the friendliest place in town award. Great folks!

We returned to the motel. Barb crashed and I worked at answering email. I crashed and slept for about two hours. I didn’t realize I was that tired. Tonight Barb and I had dinner together at a place called Richardsons.

I need to clean my bike and finish packing. We are on the road again. You really have to be organized. Good Night.

Click here to see a page tributing those who will not be able to continue the ride.