Saturday, June 28- Changing plans, and drinking with hicks

This is day three here at Ft. Stevens, and I am growing restless. I woke up to my food spread out all over camp: another coon. I remember now why I like to travel alone. Nicholas, although interesting, has become another anchor to me. At least the package will be here soon. Maybe Tuesday or Wednesday. The beach is beautiful, but I'm ready to move on.

I'll apologize in advance: I'm sorry for being drunk. I met some people on the beach today who just gave me 4 beers. They also fed me fresh crab and shrimp. It was great. They were the self dubbed "hicks from the sticks," and every single one of them were absolutely wonderful--probably the most generous people I've met so far.

I made a huge decision when I was in Astoria today. I've been thinking alot about getting rid of my backpack and buying saddle bags for my bike. Although I really want to explore Seattle along with the rest of Washington, I really think that it would be great to travel along the Pacific Coast by bike and meet my family down in San Diego. Then I could catch a ride back to Denver with them, instead of paying for a bus ticket.

I called my dad. I usually call him when I make big decisions, and I think this one was big enough. It was good to hear of him--he's a great man, I have alot of respect for him and I love to talk to him about the things I am doing. I didn't mention anything about riding down the coast, but just talking to him calmed me down enough to approach my decision with a clear head.

I went to the bike shop where I spent a few hours picking out and attatching my new saddle bags. The guys there were really friendly; one of them gave me a used helmet for free and the other helped me attach the rack to my bike. After leaving the shop with all my new bike stuff, I bummed a cigarette and celebrated my decision to ride down to San Diego. I really shouldn't be smoking before starting the 1400 mile trip to San Diego, but fuck, I'm on vacation. I've been smoking about half a pack a day since the Colorado Trail.

ANYWAYS, I rode home, met some other cyclists at the camp site, and took off across the park to eat and drink with the hicks I'd met on the beach earlier in the day. Another day in paradise.