We made it to oregon today. Crossed the columbia river on a harrowing, long steep bridge coming out of longview, wa. Lots of people bike it, which i find hard to believe. Just past, on a busier road, we blew the rear tire. Huge hole in the sidewall. So we made a temp patch of duct tape and walked back down the hill to a gas station, now on the safer side of the guardrail (photo). That set us back a while, and required some time to regather our spirits. A cab ride back to town later, we had a new, even better, tire and we got under way again. The roads today were common bike routes, but hair raising no less. Gravel on the shoulder and high speed traffic. Little ground covered and our most trying day, by far, yet. Glad to say we're safely camped out in a beautiful city park in st helens, or. Got some good route advice from a fellow named sean tonight, while playing with his great dogs. Everyone we've encountered has been so friendly and kind! On to portland in the morning... -jacob
