DREAMS DO COME TRUE . . .
It all started with a question, ‘Will you marry me if…’ and continues with, ‘I love you’ every day. Don’t get it? Here it goes…
After dating for a while, lying in bed one morning, Pam asked Bill a simple question, ‘Would you marry me if I biked to Timberline Lodge?’ Bill half-heartedly responded, ‘Sure.’ The dream started.
Bill was a hard nut to crack because he always stated he never wanted to get married to all his friends. He saw no point in it. He didn’t understand the significance marriage provided because he believed all things were the same if you were dating or married. He believed in the concept of staying together as long as they shall live, just not the institution.
Pam wanted to get married some day. She believed it provided security and someone to be there to grow together.
Before they started dating, Bill told Pam he had two conditions if someone wanted to be with him as a partner; he didn’t want any children and didn’t want to get married. She agreed to these conditions knowing in her mind she didn’t want children either and would consider no marriage for now, although that is what she really wanted.
Pam’s dream began to grow and was determined to climb Mt. Hood on her bike and stop at Timberline Lodge, 60 miles and 6,000 feet in elevation from their house in South East Portland.
Bill had been cycling for many years and riding up Mt. Hood wasn’t a big challenge. He had done this several times and even cycled across the US.
He cycles several thousand miles annually. Pam was in good condition as well, yet cycling was not something she did regularly. She climbed most of the NW Oregon and SW Washington Mountain peaks in the summer of 1995 and was in decent shape. Although cycling for 60 miles, over 6 hours on the bike, would be a formidable challenge.
They decided Pam needed a bike that was comfortable. They shopped for a full day and picked one of the ½ dozen bikes from the 3 shops visited. The hybrid bike would be great for the trip as well as everyday riding and commuting to work.
Her training included riding to work and several long rides each week. They even rode the first part of the grand tour to Mt. Hood, which was the longest distant she had ever ridden. Pam set the date: Saturday, July 23rd, 2004. Bill was getting nervous.
They watched the weather all week. Temperatures were forecasted to be in the high 100’s and lots of sunshine, much warmer than usual for Portland. They planned to get up around 6 AM and leave by 7, before the heat.
The starting point is about 200 feet above sea level. They followed the Springwater Corridor Trail, a non-motorized multi-use path, from their house to Boring, Oregon, approximately 15 miles of car-free travel. The temperatures were in the comfortable 60’s but climbing fast.
Bill had prepared to stop every 10-15 miles to replenish water and eat. He knew this wasn’t a race and wanted to make sure she enjoyed every minute. After stopping in Boring they continued to Sandy on Highway 26 for another rest. So far, Pam was doing great as the rolling hills were about to start and the tougher section was approaching.
The third stop was in Rhododendron. It was 10 AM and the temperatures were climbing past the mid 80’s with the sun beating down relentlessly. They had traveled 40 miles and climbed 1,000 feet. This was a deciding point to stop or continue. If they continued they would travel for a few miles through a cool, tree covered shady section before popping into the treeless four-lane high speed road up the first major ascent – 10 miles to Government Camp at 3,888 feet above sea level.
Bill asked Pam what she wanted to do. She stated confidently, ‘Yes.’ Before departing they called their friend Kim and asked her to meet them at Government Camp. She would pick them up in a pick-up truck when the ride was over. Government Camp was the next deciding point to stop or continue.
They started out pretty happy. Bill watched Pam closely to make sure she stayed hydrated, sun screened and fed. The climb got steeper and the cars flew past. It was loud, hot, smelly, sunny, and steep. Pam’s back was cramping and in a lot of pain, this is when the swearing began. As they approached Government Camp they saw Kim and stopped just prior to the main parking area. The climb up was more difficult than expected. They gingerly rode another ½ mile to the main parking lot and stopped for more water and food before the next decision was made.
While sitting in the back of the truck, resting and replenishing, they randomly met their friends Mary and Scott from Portland. They were at Government Camp getting out of Portland’s heat and camping for the night at higher elevation. They asked what we were doing and after hearing the story they stated to Pam that she should continue up the 2,000 feet to Timberline. Heck, if she’s come this far, what’s another few miles. After many minutes Pam decided to attempt the last road to the top.
The first several hundred feet from the rest stop were very difficult. Muscles were tight. Backs were sore. Feet and butts were chaffed. Luckily, the back road to Timberline was shady and had lots of switchbacks with only a few cars. Kim met us at each mile to make sure Pam was okay.
Pam climbed, and climbed, and climbed. She stopped a number of times. She cried once. She swore like a sailor. She went 3 MPH in some sections wondering why the bike didn’t fall over. She walked several steps realizing this was more painful than riding.
Bill kept telling her there was a flat spot in the road just around the corner, lying to make her feel better (not sure this worked too well). One time they stopped and chatted with a man parked on the side of the road, who stated that this was the hottest temperature Timberline has had in many years. Finally we came to the intersection of the main road and saw our destination – Timberline Lodge.
It was about 1 PM and the temperatures were in the mid-90’s, making the asphalt soft. As we approached the lodge Pam stated defiantly, ‘The first car I come to in the parking lot, I am stopping.’ We stopped at the first car. Pam was on the verge of crying, hyperventilating and throwing up. Bill reached out to hug her. He was so proud she had made it. She said, ‘Don’t touch me. Please take me off this mountain.’
Kim was nowhere to be seen. Bill called her. She missed us coming onto the main road for a snap shot and was still waiting for us. She asked us to ride to where she was. Pam retaliated, ‘No! Come get us.’ She was not about to get back on that damn bike for any reason.
Kim quickly drove over and picked us up as Bill swiftly loaded the truck. Kim sped past Government Camp and into Dairy Queen at Rhododendron where we walked into the fast food restaurant to enjoy hot hamburgers and cold drinks. Pam says it was the best Coke she has ever had.
Bill did not ask Pam to marry him at Timberline Lodge. Pam was obviously disappointed. After getting home Pam surprised Bill by telling him they were going to Seattle on Sunday to see the Bare Naked Ladies and Alanis Morrissette concert. They drove up, saw the concert, and stayed at a hotel close by the venue. They saw their friend Mike for lunch on Monday and drove home.
On the way home in the car, after Pam brought up the fact that she delivered on her end of the promise, Bill reiterated his belief that marriage was not what he wanted. He didn’t understand what the importance of the institution was. He asked Pam what she really wanted in life and in his mind it was what he really wanted too. He didn’t say anything more. She said that if they didn’t agree on marriage that they needed to reconsider their relationship and possibly end it.
While watching TV Monday night, Bill knew Pam was thinking about what she was going to do. Bill turned the TV off and knelt in front of Pam and asked, ‘Will you marry me?’ Pam, looking confused, didn’t answer. He asked again, ‘Will you marry me?’ She still didn’t reply and was now in shock. He said, jokingly, ‘I won’t ask again, just say ‘yes.’’ She smiled and said, ‘Yes.’
They both went outside with their dog Tucker and called their families to spread the good news.
