March 07: Blue Sky, Baby!
Woohoo – Spring is on its way! Waking up to pretty pockets of blue in the skies above, I set my sights on the Pacific Coast, ready to take in the frothy, rolling waves crashing onto the rock-strewn sandy beaches beneath the azure horizon.
Heading west on highway 26, I breathed in the crisp, dewy morning air, passing bright green fields and rolling farmland dotted with burnt red colored barns. Orchards of fruit and nut trees with light purple and tan colored branches provided beautiful pops of color along the way.
Heading up over the pass and along the Necanicum River, I admired the silvery blue waters winding their way through dense clusters of deciduous and evergreen trees, their wet rocky banks cradled by overhanging branches stretching above.
Turning north on Highway 101, I passed through Seaside and worked my way through little neighborhoods to Seaside Cove, a picturesque spot popular with beachcombers and surfers.
Parking right on the water, I marveled at the multi-tiered white tipped waves stretching out as far as the eye could see, accenting broad swaths of aquamarine colored sea water in the distance and the algae covered grey rocks in the foreground. Peaceful puffs of soft white clouds hovered at the skyline, opening to bright blue skies overhead.
From there I headed south past Cannon Beach, stopping to take in the view of Haystack Rock rising into the clouds from the wet sandy beach, its 235-foot tall, rugged basalt rocky surface standing out magnificently in the crashing surf.
Continuing south on highway 101, I pulled over at Arch Cape to snap an equally stunning view of the dark branches of the rugged trees on the cliff next to me creating beautiful silhouettes against the light green waters of the Pacific in the now misty air.
Riding to Garibaldi and then Tillamook, I barreled along the curvy coastline, reveling in the smell of the salty air and the visions of blue all around before heading east along the Wilson River back towards home. What a great day on the bike!
