In Astoria: Youngs River Road

August 15, 2023

I think it must be time to end this thing. It’s been three days now since I took this solo out and back ride along the Young’s River while Rachael further tested her fast-healing knee with a 13 mile walk; and even though I’ve been eager to share some of these photos - especially the goldfinch - I keep putting off writing up the day. There are multiple reasons for this, but it’s just the usual sort of stuff really: it’s too hot, we’ve had social engagements, I keep forgetting to get photos from Rachael’s phone so we can include her walk, Trump’s been indicted for a fourth time, blah, blah, blah.

None of this quite adds up though. I’ve had the time available but the truth is that my mind’s moved on. We leave for Spain in less than three weeks, and I’m increasingly thinking about what needs to happen between now and then. And bizarrely enough I’m finding myself spending a lot of time plotting out ideas for next year’s nine-month tour that we’ve started discussing, assuming of course that my ablation surgery is successful and has the desired result.

And there’s that upcoming surgery to occupy my thoughts too, as well as my arrhythmias. I had another minor episode last week, on the very day that Rachael and I were noting that it had been three weeks since the last one. It holds me back, and discourages me from taking on any really interesting rides other than the regular set of flattish ones in town here.

And, of course, I’m anxious to show you what the plan is for this fall - yeah, it’s in Spain of course; but where exactly? But that’s a topic for the next chapter of the saga, not this one.

So we’ll stop here, although there will probably be one more entry to include Rachael’s hike photos once I finally get hold of them. And maybe there will be some sort of wrap-up/post mortem post, if the mood strikes me. Or not. We’ll see.

Now where was I on that plan for next fall? Oh, that’s right - disembarking from the ferry from Harwich at the Hook of Holland.

The same three ships we saw last night. Still a bit foggy this morning.

I’ve been really surprised by how often we’re seeing these birds. First Kennewick, then The Dalles, and now here. The range maps don’t show them ever reaching the coast here, but it’s a recent development in just the last decade or so. The main theory is an adjustment due to climate change as their interior habitats dry out.

The starlings don’t seem to mind, though they are giving him an respectful amount of space.

This beautiful creature was oblivious to my presence, furiously ripping his thistle head to shreds.

I’ve been tracking this barn on Young’s Bay Road for probably twenty years now. It’s aging better than I am, I’d say.

Gulls and the Astoria Column. It tickles me to learn that a congregation of gulls like this is called a squabble, among other terms.

#182: Herring gulls, recognizable by their physical characteristics as well as their behavior. They gather in large numbers on rooftops and open fields as a defensive mechanism against predators.

Getting a birds-eye view of Young’s Bay.

Every time I see this bridge, almost four miles long, I recall biking across it over fifty years ago with my friend Alan on a ride from Bellingham to Salem.

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2023 Bird List

181. Violet-green swallow

182. Herring gull

Today's ride: 34 miles (55 km)
Total: 1,290 miles (2,076 km)

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Comment on this entry	Comment	3

Tricia GrahamVery good luck with your ablation surgery. I hope it is as great a success as mine was 14 years ago then never another incident
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1 year ago

Robyn RichardsI'm looking forward to the next Anderson European adventure!
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1 year ago

Carolyn van HoeveLooking forward to Spain TA! Knee sounds like it will be back to fully functional!
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1 year ago