" Beam me up, Scotty"

So, day 1, start of Transam trail in Oregon, USA. Since there is no genuine flight possible, I might as well us the phrase which I remember (or thought I remembered from my childhood, watching Star Trek). So " Beam me up, Scotty!" Unfortunately, I just found out that it was never said like this (famous unquatations, look here).

I start my journey, at the harbor of Astoria, OR. I am surprised to find that this harbor is one of the main ports of the Holland America line. The Holland America line, "the NV Nederlandsch-Amerikaanse Stoomvaart-Maatschappij 'Holland-Amerika Lijn', they played a large role in the emigration of the Dutch to the United States.

Starting in 1873, a regular ferry service from Rotterdam, the Netherlands to New York, USA was set up. Mainly because of the competition by airplanes, the service stopped in 1971, when the SS New Amsterdam set out to sail for New York for the very last time [source]. The company then evolved into a cruise company.

starting point of the journey to the USA

To start my cross country adventure, I ride from the Port of Astoria, Pier 2 to Fort Stevens and begin my journey at the wreck of the Peter Iredale. This 4-mast bark ran aground at Clatsop beach in 1906, due to strong winds and current. Three of the masts broke, but fortunately no one was injured. The entire crew could leave the boat uninjured. 

wreck of the Peter Iredale

After tiredipping ( and no swimming, since the watertemperature of the Pacific Ocean is only 15 degrees Celcisus/ 60 F at the moment),

I cycle back to the campground of fort Stevens and pitch my small tent on a walk-in site. Burrito & beans for dinner, happy that I survived day 1. Only 11 miles today, I travel not even at the pace of the old settlers on the Oregon trail..... they considered it a good day when they travelled 18-20 miles a day.