Day 7 into Oregon

So I absolutely had a blast being in Arcata. Hanging out with all the peeps I was able to was epic. River trips, house parties, and business; all my favorite things. In fact, right before I hit the 101 I stopped into a coffee shop where I ordered a regular small cause I didn't want to be there all morning drinking my coffee. Anyway, as I grab my drink a fella comes up and asks me if I did the artwork on my jacket, and I respond "yes". Well, we get into a wonderful conversation about how he would like for me to come up with some artwork for his organization. So after awhile of chatting we exchange business informatio and hug and basically set up to meet when I get back into town. One more awesome creative opportunity for me in Arcata. Good thing I just had to stop for some java.

I also ended up running into an old classmate on the way out. I love small towns.

I turned over the engine (let 'er warm up). Got saddled up. And hit that good 'ol 101 highway up and out of northern California.

The drive up to Orick is always a beautiful one. My favorite section being all the "Elk watch" signs. Even better when there are actually Elk to back it up. But what's gorgeous about it are the lushous lagoons and bird life enclosed with Redwood frames and Pacific horizons. On a nice day you can see for miles out to sea. Today my view was oh, just about to the sea. Basically the lagoon and the redwood cliffs were about it. That coastal cast is really a doozy sometimes. However, I motored up at a cool pace, mostly going with the flow and trying not to curse the coastal freeze too much. I specifically recall one moment of the ride where the 101 dipped inland just enough to ditch the fog and freeze and let the sun just do it's thing on my back and thaw me out. A moment where I literally was HOT, when I said "thank heavens!!!" like really loud. Also saying really loud that I could live the rest of my days never knowing the likes of fog or feel coastal freeze ever again. Well that was all I could do to feel better about cursing the temperature, so I put my mind to more positive and useful things like...once again...the scenery.

It was pretty overcast and I was pretty frozen when I pulled into Cresent City. So I pulled over at the first sight of a Dollar Bell (I decided I was going to call Taco Bell "Dollar Bell" for the rest of my trip cause it's my budget eatery). Badly needing food and warmth I splurged and ordered, not one, but 2 bean burritos...and a cup for water. Sucking on Fire sauce, I checked my map and weather along my route, just hoping for any sign of warmer riding ahead. After thawing my cheeks and hands out on scalding tortilla I proceeded to eat my burritos. And wanting badly to sweat and feel uncomfortably hot in place of uncomfortably frozen I continued to drink Fire sauce.
Suddenly I was in Oregon! I was going to take a picture of the "Welcome to Oregon" sign, but somewhere between coastal freeze and cop watch, it wasn't my top priority. In fact, one of the things I'm learning on this trip is that I'm taking fewer photos than I'd wanted to. Especially of the scenic drives I'm experiencing, but nonetheless, you will be pleased with the photo journaling I'm going to wrap the trip up with. There just isn't an option for me to insert photos in my blog from my iPhone. (frustrated face). Anyhooo, enough griping about a lack of utility that I can't help and back to the story.
The 101 wound back over to the Oregon coast where things began to get a little more wild. The seas were tossing and there were giant rocks sitting along the coastline. Immediately I was reminded of one of my favorite movies....you guessed it...the Goonies!!! I suddenly wanted to find the town where that was filmed and take a photo of the rocks that the key lines up with. Each town I rode into, I looked for something saying "home of the Goonies". Or something like that, but I didn't see anything. So I put cop watch back on and set a healthy speed up the 101. When I got to Bandon I couldn't help but stop when I saw the words "thrift store" on a building that very badly needed a new paint job. I figured there had to be some great finds in there. I stepped off my horse and sauntered up to the door. Closed. Not wanting to leave without some thrifty looky-looing, I scanned my surroundings and noticed some shifty back alley flea marketing was goin down. Making the most of my time in Bandon I strolled rummagingly through some leftovers where I managed to find some old patches. Among them were some old Michelobe beer emblems exactly like the one on my belt that I always wear. I just had to have one. And when I showed the feller my belt buckle he hooked up a couple extra patches.

Back at my baby, I checked my rout from Bandon to Coquille. Only 15 minutes further. Abanoning Bandon, I jumped on the 42S, which is a lovely little two lane country road that winds through farm land and grazing cattle in divinely green pastures. I thought to myself "I know those ads for California cows are all nice and stuff, but these cows in Oregon have more greenery, and look like they get way better treatment". Just a small observation. Oh and may I go on to just say good job county road developers, for the nicely banked curves. It made each turn just wonderful. Oh, and guess what! I'm in Oregon! No sales tax! I might just pick up a new front tire when I get into Portland.

Ok back to the trip story. I made it to Coquille for the first time. Checked the address to uncle Dougs place and motored on up. Moments after arriving and giving him a quick call he rolls up into the drive. We had a quick visit around the truck and then jumped in to run some errands around town. Like taking little old ladies food and stuff. It was nice to meet some of the towns folk. This is the kind of place where when you hear the words "towns folk" you go "ooohhh, yeah, totally, I get it now." I finally came to a place where using "towns folk" was overtly appropriate.

Oh, fun fact: upon arrival and a necessary Facebook check, Rachel says "lots of people get murdered in Coquille." to which I replied "I'll try to not get murdered". Lots of people get murdered in Sonora. By big brother and the vigilantes. Nothing new to me and small towns. It's just the way we like em. Hahaha. Ok, ew. Anyway.
Oh, and I showered!!!! And I hand washed my socks and chonies. The good old fashioned way.
Now, I'm laying on the couch in my guests quarters and thinking I better get on some eats. Till next time... Enjoy yourselves.