Travels with Kenny

Sunday, August 8, 2010, Eugene, Oregon.

We left Crescent City in considerable fog, but as we drove up US 101 the sun came out, the fog burned off, and the day turned beautiful. We stopped at overlooks and towns along the coast and were treated to spectacular views of the ocean and the craggy boulders scattered near the shore. We were surprised at how beautiful the water color was and how clear it remained. We expected a somber, brooding look along the coast, but instead got spectacular sunshine and color.

After stopping at Oregon Dunes to see the sand dunes (what else?), we headed east toward Eugene, where we're spending the night. (For a change we got to head away from the blinding sun at the end of the day.) Our plan was to go to Portland tomorrow, but now, for the life of us, we can't remember why. Maybe we'll just drive through it and head back to the coast and head north.
Or perhaps I can get Ken to tour Eugene, which has the Univ. of Oregon, with its spectacular buildings and lovely tree lined streets which are fairly car free, thanks to the abundance of
bicycles. The last time I saw so many bikes, bike racks and bike lanes was in Fort Collins when
Michael attended CSU.

I have enjoyed the flowers on the northern coast, many of the same
varieties, but they are huge because of the maritime fog. Gorgeous and the wild sweet peas and
wild poppies, wow! The Oregon dunes are 400 feet tall in places and from the dunes to the beach is about 1 mile.

I am looking forward to trying tuna or salmon jerky!