Winds of Deception

Howdy from Lincoln City, OR, where rains that would have caused humans to build an ark in long ago eras have forced Jon and I into the public library to peruse the happenings of our society via the internet.

The weather has not been to kind to us as we have made the left hand turn to follow the coast towards Santa Barbara. Though the weather reports had filled our heads with images of golden sunsets, our sunshine dreams have been dashed by near constant headwinds (which is pretty abnormal, given the fact that nearly every publication ever written about cycling the pacific coast has extolled the virtues of the northwest wind which "gently pushes" you southward) and driving rain, leaving us to believe that the local meteorologist would have trouble predicting what day of the week it is, let alone the weather.

Though the weather has been dreary, I cannot complain about the scenery along the Oregon Coast. One fringe benefit of the near constant rain is that the cloud formations and mists hovering above the shoreline add an eerie beauty to the complex rock formations which dominate the area. At times, it has been difficult to keep up the pace as we find it difficult to tear ourselves away from the truly awesome views. This morning, Jon and I spent some time perusing Cape Kiwanda, where the incoming surf has carved the sandstone cliffs into an array of caves and points, causing incoming waves to put on quite a show for us.

On a completely unrelated note, we have reached our goal of raising $6,000 for Reach Out and Read!!! While we were in Seattle, we had the opportunity to tour the ROR program at the Harbor View Hospital, and to say the we were impressed is an understatement. It is amazing how enthusiastic everone on the hospital staff is about the program, and even more amazing how the kids in the clinics are enthralled by the books they are provided with. Though we have reached our goal, we hope to continue fundraising, so if you haven't already given, please do, and know that your money is going to a great cause!!

Erik