Insights to Life on the Road: Housekeeping

When one is spending a lengthy time travelling without the benefit of a large suitcase or hotel, laundry becomes an issue. My plan was to stop in Tillamook today and do laundry (day 5 on the road--I carry 4 changes of clothing). Having washed my first day's clothes at the Anderson's, it was time to wash again. Last night I got this idea to wash my bike clothes in the bathroom sink at the park (I carry those travel size sink packets of Tide). Then I could hang them up overnight (knowing full well they would not be dry by morning--this is the ocean climate). Then I thought I would stop in Tillamook as planned, but only have to dry them. As I left the park and pulled out onto 101, I remembered, from last year, that there was a laundromat just before the town of Nehalem. Sure enough, there it was. I decided instead of carrying all the wet stuff all the way to Tillamook, I could stop there and be done with it. That worked perfectly! While my clothes were drying (28 minutes for a buck), I took the opportunity to raise my seat up abit. My thighs had been feeling the climbing more than they should. With the new saddle, I thought maybe it was sitting a little lower. That was much better.
So, an hour after I left Nehalem Bay, I was back on the road. Went through several small towns on my way to Tillamook. It was a fairly easy ride without too many big hills between Nehalem and Tillamook. Got to the cheese factory at 12:15. Yum, ice cream for lunch! I also sampled the cheese so it wasn't JUST ice cream. Today's flavors were Caramel Toffee Crunch and German Chocolate Cake. It was a good combo. They make BIG cones at the factory so I was pretty full afterward. Next stop was Safeway to pick up a few groceries. I turned a block too early and had to backtrack when I realized I had gone past the store. No big deal (people may have looked at me a little funny). Picked up some more lunch type items and a couple of bananas. My hot cocoa supply was running low, so got more of that too.
I had decided when I was planning this trip to not do Cape Meares again. Once was enough up that steep cape. Instead I took the Netarts Hwy. Although it wasn't as bad as Cape Meares, it was a decent climb itself with a nice downhill on the other side. Made it to Cape Lookout State Park at 2:40. Craig was checking in just as I arrived (just like yesterday). I had actually passed him before Tillamook, but I don't know if he stopped like I did. Should be some more of the same people coming in tonight. I also passed an older couple each pulling BOB trailers. I'm guessing they'll be here tonight too. Gonna be hoppin' in the Hiker/Biker area tonight!