On the Road Again

June 2, 2022

Gotta love Willie Nelson.
He's a mess and I ain't got it exactly all together, either.

Got up super early - always do when I'm camping.
Went out for another stroll by the ocean.

Then rode up to North head to see the lighthouse.
Gray, chilly nobody out. Melancholy.

Had a little "episode" at the park last evening.
Spent almost an hour looking for a garbage can.
None in the campgrounds, parking lots, not even in the bathrooms.
Turns out they only have a couple of dumpsters
because they are trying to make people "Pack It In / Pack It Out".

Which is great if people are going to do that, but.
My food storage box was filled with trash - including doggie doo.
When people are camping they are going to drink beer and eat Doritos.
And I suspect the park is going to having plumbing problems - soon.
Garbage has become politicized in western Washington and Oregon.
All the garbage goes east - to poor, red counties.

Stopped back at the same little cafe in Ilwaco for breakfast.
Kinda funky, operates on Ilwaco time, no electric outlets in sight.
But still, a good place to download pix and update the journal

Like so much of the rural Pacific Northwest, homelessness is apparent.
And many of the homeless apear to have substance issues.
There are very few business left on Main Street -
and, not surprisingly, the homeless are not very welcome.

Sometimes Ya Just Gotta Stop and Smell the Rhodendrons

Scotch Broom Is Everywhere, Pretty but Invasive

Finally heading east.
Back down to the Astoria Bridge and then along the huge Columbia.
I might get one more day with a little sunshine -
So I had better make the most of it.

Logging Has Been an Economic Mainstay for Generations

Logging is evident everywhere.
Most of the land is private - an acre of tall trees is quite valuable.
And little towns scattered about depend on the income.
Like Naselle with its pretty little Lutheran church.
(A big immigrant population from Finland around Deep River)

The Church in Naselle, a Town with Finnish Roots

The goathills are steep and I am out of shape.
Huff, huff, huff - but hill after hill takes its toll.
I wonder if my choosing back, back roads has anything to do with it?
The last hill on the way to Grays River covered bridge was brutal.
But worth it.

Lots of Photos of Grays River Covered Bridge

One more really big climb before Skamokawa.
The sun has come out with a slight tail/sidewind.

The Many Clearcuts Provoke Differing Resposes Depending on Whether You Live Here or Not

Vista Park is named correctly - right on the Columbia.
Magnificent views up and down the river.

With the sound of ocean-going ships steaming up river and down
to intrude into your dreams at night.

Today's ride: 60 miles (97 km)
Total: 85 miles (137 km)

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