Author: Mountainstroh (Tony)

When the stars align and the beach gods smile…

by Mountainstroh (Tony), posted in Life in General, Nature, Oregon Coast Life

One of the first things we learned when we became coast kids was how much we had never experienced in our visits to the Oregon Coast.

Like most, we would come in the spring and summer, we’d be hoping for nice days, no rain and great sunsets. We would always have our gortex JUST in case, but we’d be happy if it was shorts and shirt sleeves during our stay.

We had no idea, ok I had no idea (Michelle grew up her  so she knew), about storms, high surf warnings, sneaker waves or king tides! They have taught me that fall and winter are the BEST times to be here! This weekend, was one that will live in memory. Continue reading “When the stars align and the beach gods smile…” →

A short window of opportunity!

by Mountainstroh (Tony), posted in Cycling, Oregon Coast Life

When I am at work and talking with other insurance companies, quite often I get asked by the big national insurance companies where the Mighty P, the company I work for, is based out of. Almost invariably, when I say Seattle, I hear. “Does it REALLy rain there all the time?”

I of course say YES IT DOES! We want people to think it looks like this

We try not to let people know that a lot of the time the Northwest really  looks like this!

If keeps down the crowds you know.

However, for as much as it does rain in Seattle, the Oregon Coast gets even more. Which makes it challenging to to be a cyclist here… Continue reading “A short window of opportunity!” →

New Decade, New focus and a New Name

by Mountainstroh (Tony), posted in Cycling, Oregon Coast Life

Way back in the way back days, before the Mountainstroh Blog, shoot, even before I am sure I knew what a blog was, I become a cyclist. It was December 2007, and I got my first real bike.

Who knew how far it would take me…. Continue reading “New Decade, New focus and a New Name” →

The 2019 Recap

by Mountainstroh (Tony), posted in General

So, its been a bit busy since New Years.  Shoot, since before Christmas!

Since I had the last two Wednesdays off, for Christmas and New Year’s Day, it felt like I’ve had 4 Mondays and 4 Tuesdays during that time…  It’s been a bit of a madhouse.

However, it is Sunday afternoon, chores are done, Christmas has been put away for the year, and its time to look back a bit… Continue reading “The 2019 Recap” →

Fashionable it aint…

by Mountainstroh (Tony), posted in Oregon Coast Life

Looking at the calendar, one will see winter is here! The week before Christmas, between Thursday morning and Saturday afternoon, our back yard rain gage recored over 6 inches of rain! That was combined with some heavy winds for 18 hours straight!

But I am OK with that! I love stormy weather at the coast, its half the fun of living here. AND it made our Lincoln City Office Christmas party at Tidal Raves even that much better!

However, the one bummer is that the sun goes down WAY too early! Continue reading “Fashionable it aint…” →

A reason to stop

by Mountainstroh (Tony), posted in Cycling, Nature, Oregon Coast Life

When I first started riding, it was all about the miles. I was new to the bike, a young strapping 44 and finally found a sport I was good at. I could climb any hill, cycle all day long, and seemed never to get tired. I was the wind.

Fast forward 11 years. NOT so strapping, sure as hell ain’t 44, but I can still climb anything you throw at me. I don’t go as far, but for good reason.

I am now the Oregon coast cyclist, I stop for amazing views, whales spouting and, as you can see here, to watch a bald eagle soar. I keep track of the miles, but now I ride for the experience, for the memories, for the life around me.

I am still good at what I do, and will keep doing it till the legs wear out. The bike is and always will be a time machine, making me feel younger and stronger than I truly am.

In my heart I truly hope that sometimes the eagle stops to watch me as I conquer a vicious headwind or make it over a steep climb. Maybe, just maybe, he smiles at me, as I do him when he soars.

The eagle and I are kindred spirits. Riding the winds, seeing the world and living the life. It is good to be free!