Dwagenheim

I didn’t get up quite as early as I wanted to this morning, but still early enough. It was pretty cold out and my tent was covered with condensation, as expected. I made a quick breakfast of oatmeal and bananas before packing up my stuff. The folks who had been camped next to me said hi and bye before leaving. As I left the park, the sun crept above Humbug Mountain and I was eager to soak up its rays. The views were great after a minor climb. Monoliths dotted the coastline. I looked back at a nice view of Humbug Mountain and took a photo. I took a small detour onto the Old Coast Highway for a more scenic and less traveled road, then crossed the Rogue River and approached the town of Gold Beach. I rode around town and finally found the library but it was closed. A nice woman who was dropping off a book recommended a coffee shop that had internet access. I headed over to Espresso 101 and checked my email. Much to my dismay, I found out Ela wouldn’t be meeting me in Northern California. She had to fly to Poland to see her sick grandmother. I stopped by the supermarket for lunch before leaving town and got some fried chicken, bananas, chocolate milk, and snickers. Outside of town, I had a hellish climb, especially on a stomach full of fried chicken and chocolate milk. Slowly I ascended cape Sebastian and then enjoyed a nice fast downhill. The next few miles were flat and hugged beautiful beaches covered with monoliths. I had a few more climbs before finally arriving at Harris Beach State Park, outside of Brookings. I set up camp in the hiker-biker area next to a couple older guys. I took a nice long hot shower and tried to stretch my overworked leg muscles. I went back and prepared minestrone soup and threw in the rest of the chicken from this afternoon. Midway through the enormous pot of soup, I took a break to write about the day while listening to the guys next door cough, burp and rip enormous farts. Ahh, the great outdoors! Can’t beat it! I finished off my soup, had a snickers and called it a night. (55 miles)

Peace

Dave

Pic: Looking back on Humbug Mountain

Dwagenheim

Pic: Beautiful Coastal scenery

Dwagenheim

Pic: Monoliths dot the long, coastal beaches

Dwagenheim

Pic: More coastal scenery