Sea-to-Sea NA Day 12 The wind, that had been our companion on the ride and our air conditioning during the afternoon and evening, became a real challenge during the night. Instead of letting up as the sun sank it intensified. Our tent was set on the west perimeter of our tent city just downwind of an embankment so caught the full brunt of the wind’s fury. The tent shook violently for the first few hours we were in bed; so much so that I feared it would tear or be uprooted. Rita was in full earplug mode and didn’t hear a thing. I got up to check our pegs and a few other tents around us. Satisfied that the equipment would hold up I finally went to sleep. Because of the short ride today master Ed announced we could sleep in for an hour in the morning but set the breakfast time only a half hour later! Most people awoke at the regular time but the urgency to depart was lacking. I figured it would be a good day to take Anne M. on the Rumba so changed the seat height and pedals to suit her height and equipment and did likewise for Rita on Anne’s bike. We sent Rita off first and then finished packing the rest of our equipment. Goat Heads are still numerous in this area. These are little tack like thorns; which have been the cause of many flats in the area. They are picked up by our tires mainly in dead grass and along the sides of the road. Anne and I hit 75 kph down the first hill; Rita hit 58 so that is pretty good. The road was pretty much flat and the tail wind made for another day of about 35kph average speed. The road we are riding along is hwy. 30 which pretty much follows the Old Oregon Trail which is the old wagon train route of the early emigrants. There were many Indian/white conflicts in the area. We are in Ontario, Oregon tonight so it is kind of like home. Anne comments re the tandem ride “ It was a fun fast ride, but you need to be in sink all the time. Bill had total control, the shifting, the brakes, and you cannot stop pedalling. But, I think I prefer to have some control on my bike.”