I spent yesterday at sea level, I didn’t ride to test my altitude acclimation, I just walked on sand and splashed in the ocean. I scored a camp site at Wax Myrtle USFS campground, half price fee with senior access pass for only $11, makes the price seem almost free.
Over time I have ridden the Umpqua River trail from its source a ways, now I drove to its mouth at its names sake light house,
Tsunami potentially affected area, a new danger for me. Not falling rocks but raging sea. Numerous signs directing evacuees to safety when the water starts moving your house off its foundation.
From the XG I walked a one lane service road to the beach which has cordoned off areas to protect a plover bird. Trail / road was just loose sand about a mile in length. Had the entire beach as far as I could see all to myself. Summertime, vacation time, Monday and nobody else out there. Perhaps the trek winnowed out the less I want to see the water crowd.
The XG did not fill up and is much nicer than the choices, non federal, around Reedsport and cheaper but FS XGs do not have showers as a rule.
After dinner I walked out to the ocean from the XG with desire to see the sun set. However, the 58 degrees with a breeze were greater than my choice of clothing would give me comfort so my visit was short. Amazing, big parking lot prolly for motorized crowd but a short hike to the beach was 1 car full. Living in high 80 and 90 degrees temps must change the body comfort level. I was chilly.
Yesterday I bought a freshly steamed Dungeness crab that I ate for dinner. So sweet and delectable. Learned that the 15th this month is the closing date for commercial harvest. Same day is the opening day of Flagline Trail at Bend.
My sink faucet allows water to escape from its guts when I open the stream flow, I tried replacing Orings which didn’t stop the unwanted flow. I ordered a new faucet today shipped from Kentucky to Bend which will now hold me in town till prolly the eclipse which I was trying to be out of town for.
Today I will drive back to Oakridge and another ride on ATCA tomorrow then back to Bend to ride Flagline before it gets over ridden.
This year I have noticed more litter. The place near my favorite spot at Bend must be a daily visit spot for someone who shares their choice of purchases. A neighboring camp spot in the XG had several cans in the still smoldering fire pit. Who cleans up their mess?
I started looking at rides in CO of which there are many. My thoughts are CO for the fall for the colors. Country roads take me home again. I will make a brief swing thru WA.
No mosquitoes