October 16 - Fun in the Sun!

Yes! Today was just what the doctor ordered – a meal with some great friends, tons of sunshine, fall colors, and the soothing sights of the ocean – all at the end of the road. My ride today started with lunch with my women’s group – the OC women’s riders. From there I headed west to Lincoln City and the beach. The road west was bursting with colors and the ocean itself was magnificent.

Denise Brown did a great job leading us south on highway 99 to Corvallis for lunch. It was wonderful to spend time with her, Valerie Jean McCarty, Kelly Webb, and Lynn Duncan-Durham talking about our adventures on and off the road. From Corvallis we headed north to Amity and Blue Raeven Pies.

I was sorely tempted to stop and eat pie. But I was still full from lunch and the sun and ocean were calling my name. As I headed west on highway 18 to Lincoln City, I felt all of the stress from the busy week fading away. Cruising around the corners and down the straightaways I marveled at the abundance of fall colors – red, pink, orange, and yellow leaves stood in stark contrast to the bright green evergreen trees of the H. B. Van Duzer Forest State Scenic Corridor.

In Lincoln City I ventured down to the Roads End State Recreation Site. I love this park’s name as well as it’s location on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The last time I had been to this site, the access to the beach was closed. However, today the path was open, and I was able to explore along the coastline.

The sun was shining, seagulls and kites were flying through the air, and the waves were creating a symphony of soothing sounds. I breathed in the fresh, crisp, salty ocean air and soaked in the wonder around me. After enjoying several conversations with friendly visitors, I headed east and home, making it to West Linn before dark. God is good!