On May 20th 2014, Chelsea and Frank embarked upon a great bicycle adventure. It began with a bus ride to Portland, and then a metro ride to Hillsboro, just outside the city limits. We had everything we needed loaded onto the backs of our bicycles, and we set off towards the coast. Our goal for the first day was to make it 27 miles to Gales Creek Campground, just off highway 6.
We made it up the fairly sizeable climb to Gales Creek, a had a wonderful first night of camping. We had the campground almost completely to ourselves, and we had a cold and refreshing dip in the river. We woke up in our lovely forested grove, only to discover that racoons had raided our hygiene kit, chewing on a bunch of our supplies. Those little devils. But no major losses, just an unpleasant sense of being bested by a raccoon. The next day we had a leisurely 22 mile day that was mostly downhill along highway 6, and then we found a nice spot to camp along the river in another part of the Tillimook State Forest (shown below).
On Day 3 we passed through Tillimook, stopping at the Blue Heron Cheese Company, for some gourmet delights.
By the end of day 3 we made it 28 miles to the coast! We spent our 3rd and 4th nights at Cape Lookout (shown below) where it was misty and rainy, but very beautiful.
Day 5: Cape Lookout to Devils Lake in Lincoln City (44 miles).
This is the view back over Cape Lookout, after a steep climb.
Day 6: Lincoln City to South Beach (37 miles)
After spending the night at a disappointing campground in the middle of the busy Lincoln city, we headed off down the coast, bright and early, for some more scenic riding.
We stopped at a beautiful overlook, with a view of Lincoln Beach, to eat our breakfast, where we found these naturally growing irises.
Red Paintbrush plant.
We took a rest at the Pirate Coffee shop, very cute!
A Harbour Seal and her pup.
We visited the Sylvia Beach Hotel, where Frank visited a number of times with his family. In this literary themed hotel each room is modelled after a certain author, decorated with items to immerse you in their books.
Day 7: South Beach to Yachats (22 miles)
We decided to spend a night in a spot we found on Air B'n'B, which was a basement suite in a house by the beach, complete with our own hot tub. It was a luxurious change from our tiny tent, and left us feeling refreshed.
Day 8: Yachats to Honeyman State Park (33 miles).
We had a slow relaxed morning, and then stopped to have lunch at this cute little seafood restaurant, called the Luna Sea Fish House.
We had some divine fish tacos and clam chowder.
A colony of Steller Sea Lions.
A population of carnivorous pitcher plants, called Darlingtonia californica.
Day 10: Honeyman to Tugman State Park, by the Umpqua Dunes (36 miles)
A little chipmunk friend, who was very interested in our breakfast.
At Tugman state park we stayed in a yurt! High class camping for sure.
Umpqua Dunes.
Day 11: Tugman to Sunset Bay State Park (33 miles)
A rad house we saw on our way.
A small botanical garden, that used to be part of a large estate.
Simpson Reef lookout.
Day 12: Sunset Bay to Bullard Beach State Park (22 miles).
Our trusty rocket ship tent (the REI Dash 2).
Day 13: Bullard Beach to Humbug Mountain State Park (42 miles)
A popular viewpoint for bird watching (for obvious reasons).
Day 14: Humbug Mountain to Harris Beach (52 miles) Our first 50-miler, woohoo!
Awesome hiker/biker campground at Harris Beach.
Harris Beach itself.
Day 16: Harris Beach to Mill Creek campground (37 miles)
After passing through some nice, flat farmland we entered California! Whoop!
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