Lincoln City to Carl G. Washburn State Park, Oregon

..and then there was sun!

May 5, 2014
Lincoln City, Oregon to Carl G. Washburn State Park, Oregon
66.5 miles

We were on the road for less than half an hour when the skies opened up and we found ourselves scrambling to put on our rain gear as another torrential rain storm hit us.  As we were stopped, a lady pulled over, got out of her car and gave us directions to a safer route to avoid upcoming construction work on Highway 101.  We could not believe that she had stopped to help in such a rain storm - our first angel of the day!

Mileage markers along Highway 101

We resigned ourselves to another wet day ahead and began to slug on.  As we rounded the bend, no word of a lie, the wind picked up and literally blew the storm cell past us.  We were treated to a magnificent double rainbow and SUNSHINE!

Double rainbow as we leave Lincoln City, Oregon

Feeling energized by the sun and the double rainbow, we made our way to Kay Bay for second breakfast.  We stopped at a charming roadside cafe, called Stephanies, and enjoyed great eats on the outdoor patio.  True to form, the bikes served as people magnets and we enjoyed great conversation with the locals.  Our favourite encounter was with a local surfer.  He was originally from California.  He had visited Lincoln City for a weekend last fall...and since the waves were so gnarly (honestly he said GNARLY) he ended up staying.  He now rents a house on the ocean and rides the waves every day.

Stephanies - locals recommend the quiche!

To say the day was fantastic just doesn't capture our feelings.  We have spent many a vacation on the Oregon Coast camping with our family, but there is something different about seeing it from a bike.  Maybe it has something to do with earning the view, as each viewpoint we stopped at seemed even more majestic and awe inspiring than the last.  There currently is a TV commercial on air that says when they named the 7 natural wonders of the world, they had not yet visited Oregon....and we agree.  What an incredible state!

We are beginning to wonder if San Francisco would be in reach, as we are moving really slowly.  Of course the wind, rain and hills are taking their toll, but in truth, we are stopping almost every 5 minutes to take yet another picture!  At this rate, we may not even make it to the California border.

The day ended on yet another high.  As we were setting up our tent, Debbie from another campsite stopped by and invited us to dinner in their vintage Boler trailer.  Debbie and her husband Tom are from Courtenay, British Columbia.  We enjoyed another great evening as they delighted us with their stories of their cycling adventures in France.  Hmmmm.....could that be our next trip?

Hiker/biker campsite - Carl G. Washburne State Park, Oregon

It has been a good day....maybe the double rainbow brought us luck!

Giggle of the day:

Our surfer friend noticed Rob was wearing an Xcel cycling shirt.  He asked if they were our sponsor.  We burst in to laughter and broke the news, that slightly overweight, middle aged couples aren't usually sponsored.  (should that change we are open to offers!)