A Week of Oregon (& The Plague)

Hello from Portland, Oregon!  "Or-ih-ghinn", not "or-ih-gohn", according to the locals.

Nearly a week ago, we set our tarps on a hill, soaped em up, and slipped and slid into Oregon.  Our slip-n-slide lunch transitioned into a mud fight, and so we muddily rode across the border out of Idaho into our final state.

"Rapid Fire" Slip n Slide

Post mud fight

OREGON!

Also a week ago, our group was struck by the plague.  The stomach bug.  It got one of us in Boise, and within six days, nearly every one of us had the flu for at least 24 hours.  I was one of the luckier ones who got it on a short day and didn't have to "van it" for any of our riding days.  On one day, only twelve of us rode our bikes while all of the others were shuttled to the host.  Anyone who hadn't been struck simply waited for it to attack.  I suppose it'll be comical in a week or so...

Eastern Oregon landscape

On another note, did you know that about half of Oregon is mountainous desert?  We all expected big pines and lush vegetation, but spent the first few days listening to the song of rattlesnakes and baking in the hot sun.  Despite the unfavorable conditions, at the end of every tough day, there was a wonderful host.  Throughout the week, we've been treated to post-ride rootbeer floats, homemade salsa, sweet old women, and homestays (a bed for the first time all summer!).  

Our final build day!

Yesterday, we rode our final century into Portland.  We checked off another mountain range as we skimmed Mount Hood along the way.  We had a build day with Rebuilding Together today, and afterwards enjoyed the hipster culture of this colorful city.

Throughout my blog, I've been talking a lot more about the things and places I've seen rather than the everyday stuff.  I've neglected to tell you about the 32 other people I've had the privilege to spend my summer with, who are even more remarkable and beautiful than all of the landscapes I've seen.  I haven't told you the little things that have made my days so enjoyable- like Johnny belting "Take It Easy" by the Eagles at 7am as we ride out every morning, Kareem leading us in 20 minute chants to pump us up for our rides, or Niel and Bebhinn spontaneously "dance-talking" and making me laugh so hard that I can't breath.  I could write a novel about this trip.  And still I wouldn't be able to come close to describing this summer.

I've felt so extremely torn the past few days.  Extremely excited to finally reach the finish line, and extremely sad that this adventure is about to end.  When we're all together in a group, I look around at all of the faces of these people I love so much and have to hold back tears at the thought of my new family separating.  It's extremely bittersweet.  But in Bike & Build world, it's all about the extremes.  We're never in the middle- we're either extremely hungry or full, hot or cold, happy or frustrated, tired or...well, I guess just tired.  The extremity of Bike & Build has made it an unforgettable experience- one that I feel EXTREMELY blessed to be a part of.

Alright, enough sap for now.  I need to save some for 2 days from now, when we hit Cannon Beach!

Love love love,

Abby