In the US, it is easy to get cash back from a grocery store purchase if you use a debit card to pay. Using a debit card is the easiest way to get cash while touring. Sometimes, grocery stores only allow a small amount of cash back. This can be as little as $20 and is especially true for smaller grocery stores in small towns. For day to day expenses while touring, $20 may be enough. (I've never been able to get cash from a grocery store purchase using a debit card anywhere outside the US.) When you need more cash you can always find a local bank ATM machine. If the ATM machine you find isn't in your bank's network there will be extra fees for the convenience of using the machine to get cash. Often, the ATM bank will charge a $3 fee and your bank will charge an additional $3. If you use out of network ATMs often, these fees can add up. I bank with a small local credit union and the banking network is fairly small. A bigger, national bank, like Wells Fargo or Bank of America will have a bigger network. On a cycling tour, you probably aren't going to take the time to find an ATM that is in your bank's network. Is there a way to get around paying these out of network fees? Yes, there is.
Charles Schwab debit card
Aside from my credit union account, I also have a checking account with Charles Schwab. A number of years ago, brokerages were allowed to expand into banking. My Charles Schwab account is linked to my credit union account and I can transfer money easily from one account to another. If I request money from my credit union to the Schwab account using the Schwab website account menu, the transfer will take 3 days. If I request money to my Schwab account using my credit union website menu, the transfer will take 1 day. The Charles Schwab account reimburses all ATM fees anywhere in the world as well as foreign conversion fees. This is very nice for traveling to foreign countries. All fees are reimbursed immediately after they are incurred. I haven't seen a pending reimbursement.
I have never incurred a banking fee anywhere in the world from using this debit card. I was able to set up my Charles Schwab checking account completely online. In fact, I have never been inside a Charles Schwab office. There have never been any fees associated with this account. No one from Charles Schwab as ever called, sent me junk mail or email or attempted to sell me any of their other services. I only transfer money into the Charles Schwab checking account as needed and the account rarely has more than $200.
I think Charles Schwab was the first brokerage bank to offer a checking account debit card reimbursing all ATM fees. It's very possible that other banks or brokerage accounts also offer this now. My only other piece of advice is to set up your debit card pin for any account with 4 numbers. Some country ATMs have this restriction.
Oh my goodness, I have been driving so much more than I'm used to. I spent a week driving from North Dakota to Oregon making overnight stops at Harvest Hosts or boondocking in non-description areas. Once in Portland, I dropped off my trailer where I bought it to have a major maintenance check done. All the seams were resealed on the roof, sides as well as around the windows, storage areas and appliance access points. The anode rod was replaced in the hot water heater, the bearings were repacked and 4 tires rotated. I also had a vent replaced that was broken in a hail storm in South Dakota. While my trailer was being worked on, I stayed with friends Diane and Annie. I did trike rides with the local recumbent group, went hiking and visited wineries. There's always lots to do in Portland.
Portland recumbent ride
From Portland, I got my trailer hitched up and headed to the Recumbent Retreat to camp for a week. I love this event and look forward to it every year. Like so many things, this event is slowly coming back together after Covid. Attendance was much lighter than years before Covid but, still, there were at least 75 recumbent riders. When I 1st started going to the Recumbent Retreat in 2005, everyone rode 2 wheeled bikes. Now almost everyone rides a trike with e-assist. The event is well organized with a heavy schedule of rides to choose from. It always takes place the weekend after Labor Day at Ft. Stevens State Park on the Oregon coast. This state park is located in the most northwestern corner of Oregon where the Pacific Ocean meets the Columbia River. The park is gorgeous with lots of wonderful paths to ride. I have clocked 18 miles of riding in a day just in the park. There is lots to do and the highlight of the weekend in the legendary lighted bikes parade. The name should probably be changed to the lighted trikes parade. Over the years, riders have decorated their bikes and trikes more and more elaborately. Lots of campers reserve sites for this weekend because they love seeing the parade. Once the daylight fades, we saddle up on our decorated bikes and ride through all the loops of the campground. The ride takes about an hour and we cover just over 5 miles. Lots of hootin' and hollerin'. It is so much fun and the Pacific Northwest Recumbent cycling group does a great job.
Recumbent buddies
Fun video from the Recumbent Retreat
From the retreat, I drove to the Olympic Peninsula to drop off my trailer with friends Kim and Nicky (thanks ladies!!). I took my trike in the back of the truck to a ferry at Anacortes, Washington to join 26 other trikers for a 5 day all-inclusive tour package. Paula, Leslie and I left our trucks parked and rode our trikes on the ferry. Mel and Janet from RecumbentPDX put together this event every year to showcase Catrike brand trikes. They invited some cycling friends and friends they know from their Chicago days. This was my 1st time to go on this trip. The food, deserts, wine, accommodation and riding were all outstanding. We were very lucky with terrific weather too. We used Friday Harbor on San Juan Island as home base and took ferries to explore everyday with just the trikes. Aside from getting Covid on the 3rd day, the trip was wonderful. This area is incredibly beautiful especially with sunny weather.
Friday Harbor marina
Panorama from the top of Mt Constitution
Trikers on the ferry to Orcas Island
Waiting for the ferry
Video of the San Juan Island's tour
Trikes gathering
Triumph of trikes
Luckily, my bout with Covid didn't last long because I had a big drive ahead and only a week to get to Ohio for Cycle Con. This event has new owners, the guys from WhizWheels took over from long-time owner, Chuck Coyne. After a 2 year hiatus because of Covid, there was lots of trepidation about who would show up. The event didn't have as many vendors as usual but far more people from the public attended than the last show in 2019 in Nashville. I think everyone was very relieved to see the enthusiasm. I spent a good amount of time in the HP Velotechnik booth with representatives Thomas and Mathieu. This is the brand of trike I ride. One of their representatives became sick the day before leaving Germany and I was able to step in and help out. We had so much fun. I was a seminar presenter gaving 2 talks on touring and was also part of a panel discussion on women in cycling. Part of Cycle Con were very fun rides put on by the Impromptu Trike Riders of Ohio. I thought the event was all very successful and the WhizWheelz guys must feel very good about the future.
With my HP buddies, Thomas and Mathieu, from Germany
Impromptu Trike Riders of Ohio at Xenia Station
Little Miami trail
Lunch stop on the Little Miami trail
From Ohio, I made a bee-line for Arizona. While driving though Scottsdale, I was in a small accident when a car driver decided to make a left turn directly in front of me on a busy highway. There wasn't enough room or time for him to make this turn. I slammed on my brakes but couldn't stop. No one was hurt but the other guy's car was badly damaged. He had temporary plates and I don't think he had owned the car for long. He admitted fault saying he was distracted by worry about his girlfriend who was sick. Luckily, my truck only had cosmetic damage and I was able to continue driving to Yuma the next day.
Truck damage
The other guy
Every year, I stop in Yuma to take care of medical stuff in a border town called Los Algodones. This town is set up for Americans and Canadiens. Parking is in California and the walk across the border is short. The town is all medical offices. It has the nickname of 'Molar City' and there are probably 500 dental clinics. Teeth cleaning with full X-rays cost me $35. I also always do complete blood and urine labwork.
Campsite flowers
Yuma bike trail
While I was in Yuma, I stopped in to a body shop to see about getting the damage from the accident fixed. The body shop fixed everything without having to buy parts. They said I was very lucky the the lights weren't damaged. Each light costs over $500. C&C Autobody did a great job. I love it when companies tell me what they are going to do, how much it will cost and how long the work will take and everything is just as they said. Very refreshing and it felt good to get all of these things taken care.
Full moon rising over the desert
From Yuma, the drive is 2 hours to my friend Joni's church near Palm Springs where I'll be spending the winter. After so much driving it feels good to be settled for awhile. I've stayed here a few times and the set up is very comfortable. I live in the trailer with access to electric, water and wifi. It's nice to also have an address to order stuff and get my mail. My 1st task was getting my ballot from Washington filled out and mailed off. I'll have lots of time to get my blog up to date and finish outstanding videos. This area has great cycling too and I'm looking forward to hitting the trails instead of driving so much.
I've also got a huge announcement to make which I'll save for my next post. This is going to be a very busy winter
From Minnesota, I drove west into North Dakota stopping at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. I had heard there was a good cycling route through the park and I wanted to ride it. Teddy Roosevelt is in Medora near Montana in a terrain of prairie grasses. Even though I was there in August, the park was green. The day I rode through was gorgeous. I saw lots of wildlife including prairie dogs, pronghorn, wild horses and bison. I even rode with bison. Riding here was a real thrill.
Video of my ride through Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Riding with bison
Large herd
Close up
Panorama from view point
Sunset on the prairie
From North Dakota, I headed west into Montana stopping to camp at Harvest Hosts locations. I parked at horse farms, ranches and wineries. This program gets me off the beaten track and I get to see interesting places and businesses. The stops are always only for one night and, for this trip, that was perfect.
Horse ranch Harvest Hosts stop
I took this photo out the trailer door
Vineyard stop
Parked at a ranch over night
In Idaho, I stopped at a new friend's home. This couple I met while boondocking in Utah. Randy and Roz have a beautiful home on the Pend Orielle River which is pronounced Ponderay. It was fun to see them, meet new friends and visit Sand Point which I had never been to.
I also visited friends, Robert and Annie, in Boise that I know from studying Spanish in Guanajuato, Mexico. It was very hot and we spent the afternoons at the RV park pool to stay cooler. We always have a good time together.
Beautiful spot
Sunset on the Pend Orielle
Enjoying new friends
River view
Next, I drove to Washington and visited friends I've known for a long time through triking. Keith and Elaine live in Olympia near a few bike trails. I stopped for 2 nights and we rode trikes. Very fun!
One of many trails
Triking with Keith and Elaine with Mt Ranier in the background
Drone shot
Memorial to veterans
Selfie on the trail with Keith
Fun lunch stop
Keith leading the way
Chehalis trail
After my visit in Olympia, I headed south to Portland. There were a few things I needed to take care of here. I left my trailer at the RV dealer where I bought it and had them do a major maintenance overhaul. They resealed all the seams, repacked the wheel bearings, replaced the anode rod in the hot water tank and put new covers on the fan vents. After 2 1/2 years, I thought it was time to give the trailer some love.
Lady bug
Dragonfly
Heron pair
Heron in flight
White pelicans
I stayed with my friend Diane who I know from my tennis playing days. We have known each other a long, long time. We also both really enjoy photography and look for places to take our cameras. The weather was beautiful and we were busy.
I also stopped by T-Cycle while in Portland to pick up some trike gear. I replaced my side seat mount bag opting for the larger Arkel bag. Pat Franz, the owner, spent a good deal of time with me getting things right. I had recently received a new seat from HP Velotechnik, my trike manufacturer. The geometry of the new seat was a bit different from the old seat. My old neck rest didn't fit the new seat and so I bought what is called a 'Krispy Steve' neck rest. Pat made sure it fit. He even machined some parts for me. Pat is always very generous with his time.
