June 28 - Day 00 - 13/13 Astoria OR
Rode from Astoria to campground on the beach where we dipped the rear wheels in the Pacific.

June 29 - Day 01 - 48/61 - Clatskanie OR
Rolling hills and sore muscles highlighted the day. Camped behind a motel in town.

June 30 - Day 02 - 67/128 - Portland OR
Made strategic stops at local Dairy Queens to avoid scattered showers. Stayed in sleazy hotel by the airport.

July 1 - Day 03 - 83/210 - The Dalles OR
Marc got the first flat, a staple in the rear wheel. Stopped for a snack in the windsurfing capital of the US, Hood River. The Dalles is too big for unsanctioned camping, so we checked into a hotel.

July 2 - Day 4 - 0/210 - The Dalles OR
We woke up to the startling realization that we are no longer in our 20s. Hence we took a day off to heal tendonitis problems.

July 3 - Day 5 - 53/264 - Arlington OR
The morning saw Frank's first flat, the afternoon brought strong headwinds from an area that almost always has Westerly winds. We camped at a marina by the train tracks where multiple trains during the night did not wake us.

July 4 - Day 6 - 58/322 - Umatilla OR
Frank got his second flat 1/2 mile after we stopped to observe some brush fires near the side of the road. Camped tonight at a free campground on the Columbia River. Enjoyed a watermellon given to us by a hippie camper.

July 5 - Day 7 - 77/398 - Dayton WA
In Walla Walla we were showered with hospitality at the Bike Barn. We received free tune-ups, water bottles, and other goodies. But most importantly we got a much needed shower. We camped 30 miles down the road in a municipal equipment storage barn -- 100% unsanctioned.

July 6 - Day 8 - 69/468 - Lewiston ID
Crossed Alpowa Summit, 2785 feet, and then coasted into Idaho. Spent the night at the Riverview Inn, the same place where Marc abandoned his last cross country effort 8 years ago.

July 7 - Day 9 - 76/544 - Kooskia ID
Followed Clearwater River upstream the entire day -- incredibly scenic. Camped in a city park behind home plate to be woken up at 5AM by the automatic sprinkler system.

July 8 - Day 10 - 63/607 - Jerry Johnson ID
Began our 100 mile uphill towards Lolo Summit. The scenery is even more beautiful than the previous day -- we pass only one gas station for the entire day. Camped on the side of the road under threatening clouds.

July 9 - Day 11 - 28/636 - Powell ID
This day has sucked more than any other day has sucked before. We broke camp in the rain, cycled in the rain, gave up for the day at Lochsa Lodge, in the rain. We're just 13 miles from the summit.

July 10 - Day 12 - 80/715 - Clinton MT
Crossed Lolo Summit (5325 feet) after a late start waiting for the rain to subside. Good winds pushed us through Missoula MT to Rock Creek Lodge, home of the renowned "Testicle Festival". Camped for free next to the lodge.

July 11 - Day 13 - 93/808 - Helena MT
Crossed the Continental Divide at MacDonald Pass (6320 feet). After taking the requisite photos, we sailed into Helena at 10PM, stopping at the first motel.

July 12 - Day 14 - 49/857 - Townsend MT
Started late, spent the morning cleaning our bikes and checking out downtown Helena. Camped on the side of the road, just before a smaller unnamed pass.

July 13 - Day 15 - 88/945 - Harlowton MT
Crossed our third and fourth summits, both at about 5550 feet. I think (hope) we're out of the mountains now. Four miles of the road was unpaved, and Frank broke two spokes as a result. After truing the wheels, an incredible tailwind propelled us at 20-25 mph for 50 miles, yehaaa.

July 14 - Day 16 - 0/945 - Harlowton MT
This is a well needed (and deserved) day of rest for our muscles and gray matter. Thanks to the Harlowton Public Library for internet access.

July 15 - Day 17 - 106/1051 - Melstone, MT
Yep, you read it right, we did our first century today. It was incredibly hot, and even more desolate than Idaho. Camped in a city park, checking for sprinklers first.

July 16 - Day 18 - 88/1139 - Hathaway, MT
Weather hot, running low on water, large black birds circling overhead. There appears to be an oasis on the horizon. Mom...I love you

July 17 - Day 19 - 29/1167 - Miles City, MT
Gale Force headwinds in the morning, spent afternoon in local watering hole waiting for winds and temperature to lessen. Spent the night in a hotel avoiding the hail and tornadoes.

July 18th - Day 20 - 101/1268 - Marmarth, ND
Rode 81 miles between rest areas. Furthest from civilization we've ever been. Camped in North Dakota finally, by some railroad tracks.

July 19th - Day 21 - 70/1338 - Hettinger, ND
Battled fierce headwinds the whole day. Wasn't able to leave North Dakota. Camped in a city park right by a baseball field.

July 20th - Day 22 - 80/1418 - Walker, SD
Anyone who thinks South Dakota is flat has never bicycled through it. We camped out on the front yard of a family of five, the town had a total of seven (7!) residents that night.

July 21st- Day 23 - 80/1489 - Selby, SD
How far do the peripheral winds from Hurricane Danny blow anyway? Third straight day of massive headwinds, ouch. Camping in a city park baseball field tonight.

July 22 - Day 24 - 83/1573 - Aberdeen, SD
Another day of brutal headwinds. Picture travelling 83 miles at 11 mph. Spent the night in a motel, for our first shower in South Dakota.

July 23 - Day 25 - 61/1634 - Waubay, SD
Yet another day of slow going in the Dakotas. We are starting to see more trees, but not enough to block the winds. Spent the night in a motel avoiding severe weather.

July 24 - Day 26 - 79/1713 - Milan, MN
Finally crossed the border into Minnesota and camped out in a high school football field. Through torrential downpours in the middle of the night, our tent kept us dry. Frank had 1 more broken spoke and 1 more flat.

July 25 - Day 27 - 88/1801 - Hutchinson, MN
Torrential rains and winds overnight, but we stayed dry and safe. Marc's front hub has major problems, but we can hobble on to Minneapolis with generous amounts of Tri-Flo. Camped in city park that night.

July 26 - Day 28 - 68/1869 - Minneapolis, MN
Biked faster than usual, the thought of tomorrow's day off is in both our minds. Marc and Winnie watched the Orioles beat the Twins. Frank stayed with our gracious host and Minneapolis resident, Debbie.

July 27 - Day 29 - 0/1869 - Minneapolis, MN
Visit to the bike store to get Marc's front wheel with new hub and Frank's rebuilt rear wheel (hopefully, no more broken spokes). Strolled the Mall of the Americas for entertainment.

July 28 - Day 30 - 45/1914 - Ellsworth, WI
Even though we got a 2 pm start, we crossed the Mississippi River. The rolling hills of Wisconsin are a welcome scenery change. We are finally in the land where radio stations begin with a W instead of a K. We camped out at the county fairgrounds.

July 29 - Day 31 - 88/2002 - Fairchild, WI
A truly delightful day, no humidity, temperature in 70's and gorgeous scenery. One of Wisconsin's finest took issue with Marc's public urination. Camped behind the truckstop, making for a very convenient breakfast the following morning.

July 30 - Day 32 - 80/2082 - Steven's Point, WI
Another scenic day, rolling across the hills of Wisconsin. Stumbled upon the cheese pavilion from the 1964 New York World's Fair. Took obligatory picture with the world's largest block of cheese. More illicit camping in the woods behind a motel.

July 31 - Day 33 - 96/2178 - Brillion, WI
Terrain turned flatter which helped us get close to the century mark. Camped in a courtyard at the local high school.

August 1 - Day 34 - 30/2208 - Ludington, MI
Started the day in light rains and were magically transported to better weather by the Lake Michigan Ferry. Camped at the Mason County Airport (KLDM) under the shadow of a US Air Force Fighter Jet (Watch for Photo).

August 2 - Day 35 - 123/2331 - Midland, MI
Wheeee! See what tailwinds can do to a days mileage. Flat terrain and a 15 MPH westerly wind propelled us halfway across the state. Spent the night in a hotel in downtown Midland, our first shower since Minneapolis.

August 3 - Day 36 - 45/2376 - Vassar, MI
Got a late start due to rain. Lengthy and futile visit to a bike shop to correct a weird noise coming from Marc's bike. Spent the rest of the day riding in heavy rain on the worst road surface, thus far. A hotel tonight will allow us to dry out.

August 4 - Day 37 - 82/2458 - Sarnia, Ontario
In an effect to internationalize our experience we decided to include Ontario in our journey. Oh, and it's shorter too. We pitched our tent right behind the visitor's information center.

August 5 - Day 38 - 87/2545 - Aylmer, Ontario
So this is Canada, eh? With a 50 degree morning and a 20 MPH northerly wind we are glad we didn't mail back our winter gear after leaving the mountains. While eating dinner we met the local high school principal, a cross-country cyclist himself. He found a friend's backyard to camp in and will take us out to breakfast in the morning.

August 6 - Day 39 - 81/2626 - Dunville, Ontario
The local principal took us out to breakfast and two hours of conversation. Made a stop at the famous Tim Horton's Doughnuts for snacks late in the day. Receiving more education tonight as we camp at another school.

August 7 - Day 40 - 54/2681 - Buffalo, NY
Decent tailwinds coming off Lake Erie propelled us through the remainder of Canada. We caught up with Frank's nephew, Dave, who is providing us indoor accomodations tonight. While in the Chicken Wing capitol of the word, we had dinner at Duff's, home of the best wings in town.

August 8 - Day 41 - 65/2746 - Honeoye Falls, NY
We purchased the final road map of the trip, it's great to be back on familiar soil. New York welcomed us with lovely scenery and rolling hills. Our luxurious accomodations are being provided by Mark and Leslie Rowe.

August 9 - Day 42 - 0/2746 - Honeoye Falls, NY
Enjoying a leisurely day off in Rochester. Visited the Curtis Air Museum and drank lemonade on the porch.

August 10 - Day 43 - 69/2814 - Skaneateles, NY
Our gracious host not only made us breakfast but rode the first 20 miles with us. Our trip today took us across the northern tips of all five finger lakes. We've spotted a field behind a funeral home and are waiting for darkness to set up camp.

August 11 - Day 44 - 48/2862 - Morrisville, NY
We started the day with 30 miles of very steep roller coaster hills. Luckily the hills gave way to heavy rain after lunch. Thanks to Morrisville University's Athletic Department for a nice hot shower. Camping tonight inside a half-finished ice-rink.

August 12 - Day 45 - 82/2945 - Middleburgh, NY
Hurriedly packed up tent at 5:45 am as workers arrived to continue construction of the ice rink. We rode until dark in anticipation of a rainy day tomorrow with typically pathetic mileage (in the rain). With creativity and daylight falling short, we are camping tonight behind the high school.

August 13 - Day 46 - 19/2964 - Durham, NY
Packed up the tent by 5:45 am to get a headstart on the coming rain. It didn't work. Gave up after 19 miles of cold, hard rain. We are still in the Catskills, drying out in a motel tonight.

August 14 - Day 47 - 98/3062 - Peekskill, NY
After the first 20 miles, we ceremoniously crossed the Hudson River and turned south - - the east bound portion of our trip was complete. We followed the Hudson River until sunset and had dinner with Frank's family, Tim and Sarka. Our final night of camping is in an industrial park in the New York City suburbs. (Oh yeah, Frank had another flat. :-))

August 15 - Day 48 - 58/3120 - Coney Island, NY
Flew through the first 20 miles to have Lunch with Marc's parents in their home town of Dobbs Ferry. Then came the hardest and most dangerous portion of the trip, navigating through the Manhattan taxis, busses, and cars. After crossing the Brooklyn Bridge we found a native who escorted us to Coney Island via bike paths. After cycling the Coney Island boardwalk we dipped our front wheels in the Atlantic Ocean just before sunset, with 3120 miles behind us.