August 1-The Roads We Choose
Tossing my roller bag in the back seat of my car this morning and sipping ice-cold water out of my hydro flask in the temperature-controlled midsize SUV as I navigated through fields and farmlands to begin a three-week west coast journey, I reflected on the fact that there is more than one way to experience adventure on the road.
Having traveled by motorcycle over 200,000 miles through all six rideable continents over the last 12 years, I had envisioned this summer break to be filled with many more days on the bike.
But with my leg still in recovery mode from this spring’s injury in Vietnam, I have chosen to pivot towards the Pacific - embarking on a four-wheeled “Family, Friends, and Food” loop through Southern Oregon and California to spend precious time with loved ones, delight in breathtaking scenery, and feast on some of my favorite foods.
Today took me south to the Creswell Bakery where I savored every bite of my Bacon Ciabatta Breakfast Sandwich with an over-easy farm fresh egg, gooey Tillamook cheddar cheese, freshly baked roll, and home-cured bacon before digging into a moist blueberry fruit tart ensconced in a rich almond paste and perched on a buttery crispy crust.
Leaving Creswell I passed the small towns of Curtin and Drain and headed west on highway 38 through pastures and small farms nestled between forested hillsides on my way to Reedsport.
Turning south on highway 101 and riding through a series of charming coastal towns, I saw flags flying in the brisk cool wind, small art galleries advertising their wares, and murals of every size, shape, and color adorning the brick walls of decades old establishments. What a treat it was to find two artists atop a scissor lift diligently putting the finishing touches of one such piece of art.
Traveling along the coastline I passed into Coos Bay on the large green steel McCullough Bridge and continued south to Battle Rock, pulling over to admire the magnificent wide-sweeping vibrant coastal waters dotted with white-tipped waves and dark, rugged rocks.
The further I ventured the slower I traveled as one gorgeous view after another called my name. Perhaps the most striking of all was at the Natural Bridges Viewpoint just north of Brookings where thousands of years of erosion have created awe-inspiring arches out of the dark basalt rocks that stand in stark contrast to the emerald green sea waters, frothy white waves, and deep green spruces nearby. What a great day on the road!
