Day 8: It's all about the bike ride

We learned some important lessons on this trip, the biggest one being to break up the long drives with mountain biking, trail running, or skiing. I'll save the others for later.

Today was no exception to our new discovery; John suggested a couple of bike rides we could do on our way to North Bend, OR, and I did some research of my own. I found a location called Mountain of the Rogue, a newly-built mountain bike-specific trail system that is right next to I-5. What could be more perfect? We didn't want to go too far out of our way since we would be heading for North Bend (Coos Bay) after the ride to visit my brother, and it's on 101.

Finding the trailhead was easy (it showed up in Google Maps). We got ready for the ride and encountered a few other riders who advised us on what trails to take as intermediate riders. The trail was perfect! It gradually switchbacked up the mountainside. It was kind of ugly--some burnt trees and then deciduous trees that hadn't opened yet--but the trail was great. It was smooth and not too punishing, and the trail junctions were well-signed.

Along the way, we encountered two hikers with a dog that looked like a cattle dog-pit bull mix. We said hello and passed by, and to my surprise, the off-leash dog bit me! I have never been bitten by a dog before. I didn't feel anything at first, but shortly after it hurt. I didn't bother to see whether the bite broke the skin (it did), but I told the lady that she really should have her dog on leash if it bites. She said her dog wasn't aggressive. Well, if your dog bites, it has some aggression issues! And I am a dog person if you know me at all.

Soon after, we encountered some other bikers at the junction where we had to decide whether to start down or go to the top and then head down. They advised us to start down from there as intermediate riders. The descent from the top was doable but better to get acclimated to the type of riding in the area before trying it. It was a good recommendation, as I struggled with some rocky areas and tight switchbacks. I got spaghetti noodle legs and had to stop to have a snack and calm down. Then I was fine. The trail was flowy and fast. Great choice!

We stopped in town (Rogue River) to grab some bowls and forks to eat our spaghetti lunch (leftovers from dinner that I heated and put in thermoses for today), and then headed for my brother's in North Bend. We arrived around 5:00. It's our first visit since my brother and his wife moved there three years ago.

We got a quick tour of their lovely home while sipping a glass of J Vintners Russian River Chardonnay. Charlie and Laura made a beautiful vegan meal, for which we were so grateful! We had a bulgur and chickpea salad after snacking on some homemade toasted nuts, and then we had Mulligatawny soup with potatoes, carrots, and shitake and cremini mushrooms. Charlie doubled the spices in the soup essentially, using both curry paste as well as turmeric. It was delicious and the Quilceda Creek Sequel Syrah was fantastic with it! What a treat. For dessert, we had apple crisp, lemon sorbet, and homemade limoncello.

Since we had to get an early start tomorrow, we limited ourselves to a chardonnay, a sparkling wine, the syrah and a red table, and thus, we were only able to solve all our problems instead of all the world's problems like we usually do. But we had a some good conversation, and Charlie was able to help me understand what our dad most likely died of (heart-related issues).

It was a good day, and it was great to see Charlie and Laura!

Ellen

Late morning get up today. We watched the sun rise above the Sierras and north of Mt. Lassen from our cottage room in a former B & B Ellen found just hours before arriving in Redding.

During the late morning hours we had a nice conversation with the owner as she opened and closed the gate as Ellen and I moved our belongings to the car. I loved her southern accent (Tennessee & Alabama), gentle smile, non matching pajama bottoms and top, bare feet, and her unkept hair. Her old and easy going beagle, Boudreau, left drainage (from drinking too much water) on the wooden planks that made for a huge deck. She stepped in one puddle and dried her bare foot with the pajama leg on the left side. This lady is down to earth. 

She explained how they ended up having 13 children with eight remaining in the house. They have a pipeline via their church for foreign children who have been abandoned by previous foster parents. They deal with trauma on a daily basis. They have a van ( personalized plates the "Luv Van") that they use while camping on the coast. Each child is limited to one duffel bag and no potty breaks for their maximum five hour drives. Can you imagine eight children in a van for five hours? These are the "campers" we would stay always from in a campground. Maybe. I think. Anyway, she and her husband are angels on Earth for providing a safe haven for kids in desperate situations. 

As we finished the conversation we put the finishing touches on packing the Prius and drove off. Our destination was Ellen's brother's home in North Bend, Oregon, with a stop in the Rogue River area for a mountain bike ride to shake out our legs and backs, stretch the muscles, and rest the butts. Once at the trailhead we biked up and had a conversation with a solo biker doing the same routine. He was a wealth of information and had great suggestions for our intermediate skill level. 

After taking a photo of the map on the bill board we started up the gradually climbing single track. It is somewhat nerve racking to venture into a trail system you have never been on before. The conditions were ideal: warm and dry with long sections of obstacle free narrow single track with groomed switch backs. We encountered a group three who suggested Alsea Falls for a future ride. 

We rode a combination of Rat Pack, Breakaway, and Pay Dirt trails all which were intermediate and perfect for our unpolished skill level. Our legs and lungs recovered quickly from the long rides in the car. Once back in the parking lot were talked to the guy who gave good information before our start. He asked how we did and described the trails he rode. He was an expert rated rider who works for the forest service. 

Ellen makes her way down Breakout Trail at Mountain of the Rogue.Great trail!

After changing into cotton we headed off for North Bend, Oregon. We had no problems finding the Oregon coast, North Bend, the neighborhood, and the house. 

Charlie shows us an old photo of the Ford Torino, which he is having restored, when it was new. Ellen's mom is on the far left, then her sister Laura, then Ellen in the middle playing with the soap suds, then Charlie on the right.

Charlie and his wife, Laura, put the finishing touches on dinner while Ellen supervises.

We toured the house, caught up, drank wine, ate munchies, viewed old photos, had a delicious dinner and the four of us solved the many world problems until our heads hit the pillows. It was a very rewarding and relaxing vacation day. We slept well.

John