I'm back.

I haven't died, but I did nearly quit. Just as I predicted weeks ago, the loneliness nearly shut me down. The unseasonably cool 60 degree temperatures and nearly persistent mist and rain broke me. Cresting a hill to see the Pacific is never uninspiring, but the accompanying ocean breeze that chills you to your guts did have me chanting "fuck you" at the ocean for a good minute going up the biggest climb on the Oregon coast. I realized I prefer mountains and climbing hills both for scenery (I now dream of the Blue Ridge Parkway) and the meditative aspect of climbing, when the exertion keeps you warm. I also realized, while chanting, that I should take a break. Thanks to Mr. E for talking me down.

Anyway, took it easy today, so tomorrow I'll be as ready as I'll ever be for 70+ miles alone on a cold, rainy day. Anyway, here's some mildly interesting stuff.

This is a shot of the Tillamook cheese factory. The cheddar is fantastic! The blocks in the lower left corner are 40 lbs. each; I learned this by overhearing a large woman ask her son if he remembered that the blocks were 40 lbs. each from the last time they visited the cheese factory. The last time they visited the cheese factory. This place isn't Disneyland. It's not even Noah's Arkade. As much as I love cheese, I don't know that I'd go out of my way to visit this place numerous times, even with the awesomely-named-but-what-the-hell-is-it Cheddarmaster. Well, actually, the cheese curds were great. Foot in mouth, accompanied by a bag full of delicious curds!

A reasonably nice view from some hill, looking north towards Tillamook Bay (on the right edge), maybe outside of Netarts or Oceanside.

Keep going up, then go down a big hill, then hit Sandlake, which is a lake of sand. Awesome.
Something about this place is totally sweet. Apparently a population of 25, seems to be a popular place to camp for both bikers and cyclists alike. The sand is playground for ATVs (on the right). Sometimes, I wish I grew up a big hick.

I have some pictures of nice beaches and this wonderful rocky bit of coast here in Yachats (YAH-hots), but the pictures of the nice beaches are not nice. I'm also not talking up the beauty here. It's unspeakably gorgeous, even with the shit weather. Yes, on the right, the Pacific, but on the left, evergreen covered "mountains" (is 2000 ft a mountain? Yes?), and straight ahead an unending procession of small and wonderful coastal towns, each with their own characters (despite all serving mostly fried seafood in the restaurants). I would recommend everyone I know to do this (probably as a drive, definitely in better weather) with someone they love very much. And I'm not even halfway done with this state's coast yet.