I woke just before the 7AM alarm. I cleaned up and dressed. I packed an overnight bag with my meds just in case something happens, and I can’t get back home today–flat tires, an unplanned connection with an elk, and other unfortunate events. I set the Nav on Air Volvo to Depoe Bay and headed west. I drive to Forest Grove to take Highway 47 and then 99W to Salem River Highway to reach The Coast. It is slightly overcast, and the sun rises in the East, so I have a leisurely drive without sunglasses.
As I approach The Coast, it gets damp, and the salty rain hits the windshield with the wipers running full out (set to automatic). The traffic is light, and I must be careful not to attract unwelcome local police by driving too fast. I am often ten-over and arrive at The D River State Park Beach at 9:45AM, forty-five minutes sooner than projected.
I am meeting Kathleen for lunch, but I send a text that I can entertain myself until noon. The D River Beach has a restroom and an incredible beach. Various car gypsies use the park on their travels as it is lovely and has facilities. A proletariat, not a rich man’s park. I walk on the beach, but my head gets wet. I left my hat at the house. It is about 47F (8.3C) with a strong wind, and when walking into the wind, you are pelted in the face with cold, salty mist.
There, on the beach park, I met a lovely young gal ranger in her make-up and nose ring. She loved my look. I wore a dress shirt with a pride tie under a blue sweater. I thanked her for her work; she was stocking the restrooms. A necessary but not glamorous job.
The kite store was open across from the beach, so I skipped over Highway 101 in Air Volvo. I bought a kite in the shape of a shark, nylon to survive the wet and salt, and inexpensive. I was tempted by a pirate sailing ship, but it required assembly, and I wondered how well it flew. So I went with simple, and I had a shark kite before. I also spotted an elegant red, white, and blue banner I bought. I had to ring the bell three times to get the shopkeeper to appear. She showed with a green pepper and a knife in her hands. I suggested she could finish what she started, but she put down the vegetable and knife and sold me the stuff. She thanked me for the business–I suspect her Sundays are not busy.
With the kite, I headed south. I stopped at Boiler Bay State Park (also with a bathroom), assembled the kite, and flew it. The wind was light. The park is a peninsula out into the Pacific surrounded by rocks. The ocean waves break and throw up a huge spray. I got the kite flying, which stayed in the sky for a while, but the air swirled, and the kite fell out of the sky. Wow. I relaunched it, and I have to fly it with great attention. I managed to take a picture and keep the kite flying. It was excellent fun. I laughed as it nearly crashed and finally spun into the ground again. I pack up the kite, undamaged, and head further south.
Later, add: The kite would sing for Kathleen. The kite string would sound music from the wind and the tension.
Kathleen will be delayed, so I have more time at Depoe Bay. I arrive there and park on the street, making a U-turn on 101 as it is still light morning traffic to get to a parking place. There are no whales today, but the sea levels are high enough to throw water into the sky and onto parked cars and viewers a bit too close. I watched the sea for a while and then went shopping. I found a few nice things I could not resist, including a hot sauce in a hand grenade-shaped bottle that I bought for Corwin–he loves it.
I walked my purchases to the cargo hold and got soaked by the spray.
Our meeting plans broke as the place was closed for renovations (?!). Instead, we meet at the Sea Hag on 101. It was a bit of a local dive/tourist trap, but the food was good, and the waiter was friendly but forgetful. He delivered the wrong food and then reversed the orders. I had the fried local oysters, and Kathleen had pasta with crab. I had fries and four small oysters, but they were perfect. We talked about work and Kathleen’s trials for rooms and cars.
I suggested we fly a kite, and Kathleen got in Air Volvo First Class, and we headed north to Boiler Bay. The winds and the rain were more now, and Kathleen could get the kite to the end of its string with only a few close calls. The shark’s kite tail seemed to swim in the sky, and a few birds looked like they were being chased by our sky shark.
Kathleen and I returned to Depoe Bay, and I dropped her off at her car. I turned Air Volvo around and set Nav for home. I stopped at the same D River State Paek Beach to use the facilities. I also called Leta, Susie’s mom, and Barb, my mom, from the pilot seat to tell them I was at the ocean thinking of them. They were both happy about the call.
I headed home and, in a few hours, was crossing Cooper’s Mountain to return home. I unloaded my goodies and soon worked with Corwin to make jambalaya for dinner. We ate it while watching the new Last Air Bender series, a marvelous version of the cartoon and comic book.
I am tired and thought it best to write the blog before I fall asleep.
And that takes us to now. Thanks for reading!
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 