Skamokawa siblings biking across the USA

Erin and James Turner decided to go for a bit of a bike ride this summer.

They are both recent Wahkiakum High School graduates. Erin graduated in 2010 and now attends Northwestern University, studying Social Policy, focusing on international development. James graduated two years later and will be a sophomore at The Evergreen State College studying English Literature. Both on a quarter schedule, they found themselves free this summer at the same time. Knowing they would have few opportunities for future adventures together, and wanting to see the US, they began to plan a trip. They decided that cars were too fast, and as James pointed out, “running or walking were far too slow.”

They are traveling across the northern US, from Seaside to Boston. They left Seaside one Sunday morning in late June, spending the first couple days bicycling in the rain. They hope to average 40 to 50 miles each day.

They packed light and will be alone, without a support vehicle. James is a capable bike mechanic. They haven’t done any training, but “the first couple weeks will train you,” noted Erin. They have planned every step of the trip, knowing when and where they will camp and when they will stay with friends.

They expect their travels to end in mid-September, two and a half months after they started.

Their parents, Dan and Cindy Turner of Skamokawa, aren’t too worried about these two.

“We taught them to open their own doors,” said mom, obviously proud of their smarts and self-reliance.

They reached Yellowstone last weekend and are looking forward to seeing the Crazy Horse Memorial and Niagara Falls on their way to Boston. To read more about their adventure and monitor their progress, check out their blog at erinjamesbike.wordpress.com.