I woke before sunrise today, the moon was bright enough to see clearly. The air is warm but my tent is wet from the morning dew. I am trying to get on the bicycle earlier today so I can make it into California. I will be greeted by the redwood forests when I enter.

I feel like a million bucks, nothing hurts, my legs feel strong, and the wind is to my back. I start pedaling and don't stop all day - I could do double this distance. I hardly noticed my first 80 km, when I reach Brookings It's only 1pm, I stop for a hamburger (guilty pleasure I know), and take my final stretch into Crescent City.

I think I am going to miss Oregon the most. Donna was right, the coastline is lovely, the roads are good, and the best are the campgrounds! Clean and hot showers every night, stunning views, and friendly cyclists to meet everyday. If I were to do this trip again, I would just do the Oregon coast.

When I arrive in Crescent City, Katie greets me on the steps of St. Patrick's church. She says hello, I can see she's been sitting on the stoop waiting for me. "sorry for keeping you waiting" I say, but she just chuckles and says she only finished one crossword puzzle.

I found Katie on warmshowers, she has hosted over 1600 cyclists since accidentally discovering it almost 12 year ago. As she walks me through the kitchen explaining all the pots and pans she says "I used to make fun of all those little old ladies who labeled everything... but then I became one HAH!" (the knives are labeled).

Katie was so sweet, she asked about how I've been, what my challenges were, and if I needed anything. Her only requests were that I fill in an entry in her guestbook with an unbroken list of 1600 messages, that I return the key when I leave, and that I give her a hug.

Thank you Katie, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.