Taking time to slow down

Chaaaallow,
Hey gang...so here we are in Bandon still...I'm currently sitting at a little cafe just outside of old town, making use of the WiFi to skype mom and reflect on the trip.  I've just made some realizations in the last day or so about how anxious I've felt to just GO GO GO! While Lani has been more relaxed and go with the flow, I have been having a really hard time slowing down and really taking it all in.  I feel pressed for time and eager to move from city to city and I think it's really important for me to learn to just ease up and take the trip a day at time.

Today we're spending some quality time alone with ourselves to do what we want to do.  Lani has to run some errands, post office and so forth, while I'm just bummin' around, playing on the web, seein' some sight and trying to unwind.  I've come to the conclusion that I need a thicker sleeping mattress because my hips are ALL bruised up and I barely get any restful sleep at night.  That makes me a feel REAL strung out, which isn't cool at all.

Had a hard night of phone calls to mom, sister (Jo), Bro (Sarah) just trying to gain some perspective about the goals of why I'm doing this trip and it was REALLY nice to hear honest outside feed back and really take that in and own my mental state while on this trip.  I feel a lot better and better prepared to sloooooooow down and enjoy the journey vs. going balls to the wall to reach my destination, which is?? I don't even know.  I mean, when people ask we say San Diego, but I highly doubt I'll be headed back to MN at the end of November, just in time for winter? Doubt it. So the journey is just beginning and if I miss it along the way that would really suck and I'd have serious regrets.

With that said, me and Lani re-worked the format of the trip to cater to both of our desires for the journey.  A little more planning on where we're headed and when for my sake and a little more relaxing and savoring the journey for Lani, but really for both of us.  Tomorrow we should hoist anchor and head a bit further south.  We haven't talked about where just yet but probably Cape Blanco or Gold Beach.  Some bikers we met at Honeyman park are about to be in Arcata in the next few days and staying there for a bit, so there's a chance we could meet up with them again.  It would be HOT cuz they were super fun and we miss them.  Miles and Fumie...WE COMIN'!!

Last night at Bullard, we met 2 more bikers who are in route to Argentina, they we really living it up with all kinds of goodies.  Tea, Coffee, various sauces and spices and all the comforts of home.  Not too shabby.  They even left us a bracelet to remember them by.

Well I'm off to find a new book.  I've already gotten through 2 on this trip...amazing.

Here's the map of our progress!

View Ride a Damn Bike in a larger map

-Maggie