It is somewhat hard to explain and my esteemed friends in earth sciences please help me here, but on the coast here it is FREEZING. The temperature hasn't risen above 20C and with the wind it feels like only 12-15C. That is not bikini weather. So after a great day of cycling, a super hot shower in one of the state park campgrounds near the beach is always a welcome event. I pack my stuff up, scurry to the showers and am greeted by a lady who had just finished her hot shower. "It's so great to have one of these, the hot showers feel so good." "Yeah, I am looking forward to mine" I reply.
I hop into the stall and really enjoy the thawing sensation in my hands and feet. I adjust the temperature by turning the cold water down. I adjust bit more, a bit more again and realize that the cold water tap is now actually off. I am hoping now that this is just temporary and keep the water on hoping for it to get hot again. It doesn't and then the bathroom suddenly gets really loud because I am swearing and laughing as I turn off the frigid shower water.
"Excuse me, excuse me ma'am!"
"yes?"
"uh, can you please turn on the hot water tap for the sinks to see if theres any hot water? this shower has run out of hot water!"
"there's hot water out of the shower next to you."
"oh wow, ok (omygodomygodomygod)" as I run from my shower stall into the other one.
I got my shower, and I figured that I should hurry up since the hot water supply wasn't likely to last. As I finish my shower, I hear a loud "OOOoo!! oh my that's a shock!" two stalls down. I chuckle sympathetically.
Anyway, I am still alive. The day was still fabulous since it was easy cycling with a tailwind along stunning shorelines bathed in sunshine and flowers and greenery.
Our first stop was at the Cape Foulweather viewpoint which happily had good weather. We lunched at the Yaquina Head lighthouse, climbed up inside it and saw the huge prisms that magnify the lonely light from its core. We had our first encounter with sea lions and seals, watching them from above sunbathing on the warm black volcanic rocks of the coastline in this region. Looking up slightly, huge flocks of sea birds nest on rock islands with steep sea cliffs. The many years of nesting made the black islands look like cans of white paint had been poured over them.
Cycling was smooth as we cruised over modern bridges, looking occasionally to the west to watch the sky change colors. We lounged around in the sun eating saltwater taffy of unknown flavors, then sat around a smoky but warm campfire chatting with another cyclist from Austin, TX named Jacob. He's trying to get to San Fran as well, except he's planning to stay there.
I told misty and mariana as we set up our tents: "I'm so happy I think I feel like I'm high."
