Into Oregon

Marsha at the wheel across Oregon

The drive across Idaho and Oregon put us in Cannon Beach, Oregon, just after dark last night (Sunday). We are camped (well, Airstreamed, which isn't really camping) just over the dunes from the ocean. Made two vital stops on the way across Oregon yesterday: Hood River to tour the roadside fruit stands and snag some fruits and, of course, some jams. And we couldn't go through the Portland area without a stop for some beers from McMenamin's, which we found just to the east of downtown Portland. No Ruby Ale, but found some Teminator Stout to bring home. We hope to find some Ruby Ales in Gearhart or Lincoln City along the coast before the week is out. 


Rain came in overnight and it is blowing and raining of Biblical proportions. Wind is 35-40 mph out of the southwest (the normal winds are out of the northwest, hence the popular direction is to ride the coast from north to south). Which means I'd be pedaling into the wind and rain. The good news is that it's not terribly cold. But the weather has brought down lots of branches along the road, so riding the wet shoulder covered in pine needles and a few branches will make it rather interesting. We saw only two (brave or suicidal?) cyclists today on Highway 101 going south and two yesterday heading toward Portland up some very long climbs. The locals don't think this weather is so horrific, but it's quite different from Colorado weather which of course is one reason why you travel - to see different things. So we are thankful today was a planned rest day. As for tomorrow, we'll have to see what comes. 
As I post this from Waves of Grain bakery and coffee shop in Cannon Beach, the rain is blowing sideways outside and Marsha has befriended a local gentleman who has lived here since the before they discovered the cannon at Cannon Beach, I think. She and another gal (architect who used to live in Jackson Hole, Wyoming where I got my start in publishing newspapers here in the West) are enjoying his stories while I'm posting a blog.
So what are we going to do about the weather? We hope today is the worst of it. Forecast calls for lighter rain tomorrow and sunny skies by Wednesday. Cross your fingers.
We'll talk soon.