Today we left Portland, later than we expected—but that actually worked out for the better. Wayne, Sarah, Jenna, Zaid, and I got to grab an early morning breakfast before we took off at the local café Jim & Patty’s, which is famous for its homemade coffee cake

Jim & Patty, famous for their coffee cake

Last breakfast with Wayne

After we got back, we soon took off out of Portland for Washington. Chris once again led us out of Portland, and I really enjoyed riding with him (and of course his notorious bunny helmet).

Chris bunny hopping his way out of Portland

The ride was a gorgeous ride, and I and yet again sad to be leaving another beautiful city. Portland really reminded me of an Austin for and older audience—a little more spread out than Austin. The scenery was gorgeous after we left the city.

Crossing the bridge out of Portland

Views in Oregon

The ride was pretty flat, only 50 miles, with little to no wind—pine trees erected on either side of me with a river flowing on my right. At one point, we were stopped in a lumber harvesting town and the smell of pine was overwhelmingly fresh. Soon we reached the Washington border which actually fell, on our route, in the middle of a bridge—the Rainier or Lewis & Clark bridge to be exact. Lance and I ended up crossing the border on the bridge at exactly the same time, so technically… we were the first riders to get into Washington!

About to cross the Lewis and Clark (Rainier) bridge into WA

Lance crossing the bridge w/ me

Rainier river

That evening, a few members of our team split up to visit the regional cancer center to chat and meet with some of the nurses there. A special thanks to Karla who helped coordinate the dinner! We all really enjoyed chatting with you guys—these ladies are truly special and caring. Thanks for being an encouragement to us!

Lower Columbia Regional Cancer Center

Tomorrow we ride to Olympia which should be another beautiful ride. The pacific northwest has been fantastic! Until then…