Update #23 - May 23, 2003
Elma, WA - 3,821.8 miles (56,114.9 kms.)

This past week has been not as wet and cold as the past couple of weeks along the coast. For the most part, there wasn't much rain to deal with. Yeah!!! I was starting to feel waterlogged. I did have one day of riding in the rain between Ilwaco and Raymond, WA. There were a few days where the temperature got close to seventy degrees.

Three motel rooms were donated by churches in Waldport and Seaside, OR and Ilwaco, WA. I stayed in churches for the night in Newport and Cloverdale, OR and Raymond and Montesano (Central Park), WA. In Rockaway Beach, OR, I stayed with the minister of the Community Church and his family.

Last night and tonight had and are being spent with the discpleship program of the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Elma, WA. This is a very neat program with lots of outreach that includes a Christian coffee house, food bank, and thrift store. Last night, I got to speak at their nightly service. The turn out was good with almost one hundred people. I was surpised at getting a love offering of almost one hundred dollars. This will help me get a new rear tire and some much needed brake pads.

I did have one bad thing happen this past week. While coasting down a hill between Raymond and Aberdeen, WA, I hit a mud patch. I was riding in light rain at the time. My wheels slipped and I fell sideways to the pavement on my left side. I didn't get hurt in any way but some bruising. My left shoulder wasn't hurt at all. I did have a mud splattered rain suit to deal with. The glass in my mirror did break though.

I'm taking my time getting over to Seattle. The friends who I will be visiting with are going to the East Coast for their oldest son's graduation from university this weekend and they will not be back till Monday. I'm looking at taking a ferry between Bremerton and Seattle either Monday or Tuesday afternoon.

From Seattle, I'll be getting on U.S. 2 for the ride over Steven's Pass (almost 4100 feet) and then I'll be heading to Spokane for a few days off with friends there. I'll try to post an update as often as I can if there are any changes in my plans.