January 22 - Definitely not a Drain

What an A plus day! Over 400 miles of blue sky, ocean, rivers, and lakes and the glorious sun on my back. Thanks to my heated gear, I was able to enjoy great riding with Gene Lord, Leo Guzman- Fernandez and Grant Myers as we headed south to Drain, over to the coast, and back home again.

We got an early start today in freezing temperatures, leaving West Linn at 8am and making it to the Creswell Bakery before 10am. I knew I was in for a treat when I ordered my bacon ciabatta breakfast sandwich and fruit tart and was told the pastry was just then coming out of the oven! Having faced a variety of daunting trials in my lifetime has helped me learn to stop and truly appreciate the small little treasures in every day. Siting at the picnic table, savoring my fruit tart and enjoying great conversation with three fun riding companions I reflected on how very lucky I really was.

From the bakery, Gene led us west on Camas Swale Road and then south on Hamm Road to Drain where we visited the historic Charles Junior and Anna Drain House. From there we headed west along highway 38 following the Umpqua River into Reedsport before heading north on highway 101. I absolutely love this stretch of coastline passing Tahkenitch Lake, Siltcoos Lake, and Heceta Beach into Waldport and Alsea Bay.  

It’s remarkable to me that within just a few hundred miles of home I can visit so many rivers, lakes, bays, and miles of Pacific Coast shoreline. Each body of water is stunning in its own right, providing a visual feast to my eyes and nourishment for my soul.

After some great conversation in Waldport, we headed east on highway 34 through the Suislaw National Forest through Alsea and then Philomath and then up to interstate 5. I am so grateful to have wonderful riding companions who enjoy longer rides on the bike, even in colder winter weather.