BICYCLING IN OREGON

POST #2 OCTOBER 28 2011 WEEKLY WANDERINGS
As I sit in the warmth and comfort of the Vancouver Central library, I have time to reflect on the week that has just passed.
I arrived back in Vancouver yesterday afternoon, after spending a week in Oregon, just south of Portland taking care of a cat named Jill. The time just flew by and much of it was taken up exploring the area by my favourite form of transport, the bicycle.
An initial ride took me around Lake Oswego which wasn't too long, and gave me a good look at my neighbourhood. A trip to Tryon Creek state park one day and a journey into Portland along the Willamette river on another expanded my horizons. For all you book lovers out there, get this. If you are ever in Portland make sure you take the time to visit Powell's Books. This is without a doubt the largest book store I have ever seen. Apparently it has been in business since the late '60's and was originally a car dealership. Wouldn't it be nice if we could convert all the car dealerships in the world, into book stores. But I digress. Anyhow, it has over 1 million books, 70% of which are used. My friends in Portland had recommended Powell's too me and I certainly wasn't disappointed.
My longest bike ride while staying in Lake Oswego, took me south through rural farmland to the town of Canby, about 1.5 hours south by bike. Part of the journey involved a ferry ride across the river, which added to the charm of the trip.
All in all, I think I managed to get a pretty good look around, and I enjoyed the time spent in the area.
When I arrived in Lake Oswego, I was offered the use of a car to get around in, which I declined. Having not owned a car since 1993, it has become something that seems ever more foreign to me as each year passes. This offer of the car, actually made me begin to ponder my relationship with biking, and I began to think of all the places I've been and miles I've ridden in the past 25 years or so.
Oddly enough, I rediscovered this humble form of transport back in 1986 when I lived in Los Angeles of all places. Cycling there for the year, then led to a winter being a bicycle courier back in my home town of Calgary, followed by a journey from Vancouver to Los Angeles the following year. That ride, probably did more than anything else to help cement the relationship I currently enjoy with my bike. Since then I have cycled in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, and the thrill and fun I receive never seems to wear off. And thankfully because of bike helmets, I'm still around to talk about it.
So now I am back in Vancouver, and I have a few days until my next housesit begins on Nov 1st with one of my regular clients here. It's dog time coming up now, which will be a change from recent weeks, but I know both the dogs and I will look forward to our reunion.
I'm not sure how much I will be wandering in the next week, however I will continue to be thoughtful about many things with each passing day.
Until next week then,
bye for now,
Paul
The Thoughtful Wanderer