Stunning Coast

Here’s an example of how much Americans are dependant on their cars:


Fort Stevens has a couple of sightseeing spots including the relic of a ship, which ran aground in blah blah blah. Anyway, the sight is situated no more than 2 miles from the park’s entrance. Fair enough, some people might not want to walk that far so the park provides a road leading to a parking lot not 150 yards from the relic. Yet this shit happens, oh but they drink diet sodas…mind-boggling.

Shortly after my departure from the park, I was detoured towards the beach and came across a herd of elk grazing near the dunes. The road then meandered along the coastline, which is littered with mountainous rock formations resembling the location for the Goonies (which was probably filmed in Oregon). The Pacific here is very rough, however it retains a gem-like green hue as it swirls in and around its hidden rocks. Again, I tip my hat to all those mariners who literally braved this ocean.

I was making good time for Oswald West Park, so I decided to stop in Cannon Beach for lunch. As I exited the 101 I was treated to a steep incline, my speedometer read 55 km (34 mph). That was fun. I noticed a very active seafood restaurant so I stopped. As I was leaning my bike against the edifice, a man and his daughter approached me to let me know how surprised they were to see me maintain such speed without holding a wide mouthed, goggled eyed expression. Colin and Sophie were really cool lunch partners. Had I been doing this trip a week ago, he would have invited me on his boat. I’ll definitely call him the next time I’m in Portland. Sophie is going to break a lot of hearts when she starts high school next year.

I reached Oswald West Park and mingled with hippy day visitors and surfers. The beach was stunning, as was the hike down towards it. Unfortunately the campground was closed due to fallen trees. I really wanted to stay there.
Being the masochist I am, I continued towards the next campground, which was meant to be day 6’s destination. I kept going through decent looking towns offering motel rooms at good rates promising hot tubs, wi-fi etc. Eventually I was too close to justify staying in a motel; I also promised myself I would stay in a yurt.

The closer I got to Cape Look Out, the mistier it became. Eventually I arrived at 7, but due to the fog and mist, it was pretty much dark. Neither yurts nor cabins were available. Dismayed, I paid 4 dollars and set up the hammock amongst the skunk cabbage in the hiker/biker portion of the park.

It was so dark I could not see my hands in front of my face.

Wildlife count: a herd of elk