October 7: Pops of Color in the Ocean Mist

Bay and bridges, rivers, lakes, streams, and ocean waves – everywhere I looked today I found pops of color in the Pacific Ocean mist. The west coast was mostly fogged in as I traveled along the water from Florence to Newport. But that just made each errant ray of sunshine that much more glorious as I sped around one curve after another heading north.

Heading south this morning I stopped for breakfast shortly after Eugene, enjoying my favorite bacon ciabatta breakfast sandwich with a runny egg, creamy Tillamook cheese, and house cooked bacon from the Creswell Bakery.

From there I headed over hill and dale through the evergreen trees on Hamm Road, savoring the twisty curves and flat stretches of countryside road as I made my way to highway 126 west. Following the Siuslaw River, I made my way to Florence for gas before heading north on highway 101.

I stopped right out of town to admire the sand dunes and breathe in the cold crisp ocean air before heading north past Heceta Head Lighthouse and Yachats. To my left I could hear sea lions barking as they sunned themselves on the rocks in the aqua green colored water framed by the white mist hovering just above. I rose up and over the beautiful Alsea Bay Bridge as I made my way into Waldport, enjoying the ocean views with almost no crosswinds.

From there I passed over Yaquina Bay and turned right into the Newport Bayfront, following the Yaquina Bay Road as it wound its way along the shoreline. This stretch of road is absolutely glorious, as it twists and turns around the bay with almost no traffic and just enough potholes to make the ride interesting. As I sped along the road a seagull flew west alongside me, following along as a giggled with joy.

From there I headed east on highway twenty and then north on interstate 5, making my way home along Wilsonville Road. What a great day to be on the bike!