Day 14--BLOWOUT

September 18, 2000
Cape Lookout SP to Devil's Lake SP

Joe and his loaded Walmart bike with metal panniers

The day began with a steep 3-mile climb over the cape. Jess and I were the last out of camp. We met Joe (the old guy with the metal baskets) and his friend at the first scenic lookout. Joe is 70 and his friend looked about 30. Both were smoking cigarettes. I panted past and soon heard a small drone behind me. It was Joe. He was using a small electric motor on his bike. He tootled past, pedaling, too, and then stopped a few feet farther on. The electric motor only takes him short distances.

This was our toughest climb to date. I stopped twice to catch my breath and give my legs a break. We climbed out of the sea fog into sunlight and then into a cloud. I kid you not.

On the other side, after a steep descent, we stopped at an interesting little general store. They had the biggest cat I've ever seen—lop eared, chuckle-headed tom. We stopped again in Pacific City and mailed some photos. Our next stop was for lunch at a trendy cafe run by three young women. Our sandwiches were expensive (for us) but good.

Oops. Forgot to mention that almost directly after our first climb, we passed thru Sand Lake—an area that resembled the Sahara. There was a sign that read SAND IN ROAD, DEEP. Other signs seen today: on an oceanside farm gate—FARMASEA; on a vacation home—CLAMALOT.

Jess posing before Sand Lake where the sand edged the road for a distance

In Neskowin, we left 101 and took the scenic route to Otis where we rejoined 101. Another big climb here, but on a little traveled shoulderless, country road. Very beautiful.

Jess always streaks down the hills while I white-knuckle it, so she was out of sight when my rear tire blew. Flagged down a van and asked them to tell Jess that I'd had a flat and not to climb back up. Unloaded all the paraphernalia and fixed the flat. The first tube I put in was a dud and I wasted my CO2 cartridge on it so had to pump by hand. Then I noticed that the brake pad was loose and swiveling . . . but Jess had the hex keys. A bearded old guy came along up the hill on a bike. He didn't have a hex key but said his house was nearby and he'd get one. He did, and I tightened the brake. My brakes really get a workout on these miles-long descents.

All of us in this little group that's camping together decided last night to stop 20 miles short of Beverly Beach to enjoy Lincoln City.

Jess and I got a yurt at Devil's Lake SP, and Will shared it with us. A yurt is a round tent on a platform. It has heat, light, a three person bunk, and a futon. Heaven! Particularly as it rained all night.

Will glad to be in the yurt and out of the rain

We all showered, left our laundry at a laundromat and went to Galluccis Pizzeria while our clothes washed.  Good to be  in out  of the weather and with friends. Jess dashed back in the rain to check on and pick up our clean clothes.

Route: Cape Lookout State Park to Devil's Lake State Park; 47 miles including that into town and a couple of miles in Lincoln City getting lost. Followed Scenic Three Capes route to Sand Lake and Cape Kiwanda, then 101, then a scenic bypass through Neskowin Creek to Otis, then 101 again.

Weather: Foggy but mild in a.m. becoming sunny and in high 70s in afternoon. A tailwind when heading south. Rain in late afternoon and all night.