Sunday, July 19th Brookings to Lincoln City, OR

We were looking to get an early start at about 7AM. As everyone except Charlie and David had gassed up the night before, it looked like we could have done it. But what can you say about people from the OC and Nevada. Seriously we were on the road about 715 or 730. That would be shortest delay of the day.

Route 101 principally follows the Oregon coastline. If Saturday was about Fog, this day was about WIND!!!!

Gusts had to be up to 50MPH - no exageration. We all worked real hard, particularly entering the bluffside twisties at speed and having the wind force you either further in to the lean, or away from it. Lots of clenching!

Somewhere around Gold Beach we stopped at a nice looking little restaurant about 815. We werent served until after 10AM. Unbelievable. The food was good, but not worth the wait. Ed, very generously, picked up the tab. I think he wanted to make sure our waitress didn't get stiffed on the tip. Wasn't her fault.

The delay in the breakfast just compounded the wind issue as it had a chance to work itself up for an extra hour or so. Temps remained in the 50s throughout the day, although it looked like it should have been warmer. We'd see people in shorts and tshirts down on the beach, but they must be visiting from Alaska!

The wind out of the north and west continued to pummel us throughout the day making the ride not nearly as enjoyable as it could have been. The coastline, is dramatic with huge boulders and the surf was UP!

We had lunch and roadstop in Florence which is where the Siuslaw river flows in to the Pacific. A little commercial fishing, the waterfront sported a newer marina which was almost entirely devoid of watercraft. It blew, and blew and blew. The girl at the coffeeshop explained it was either sunny and windy or cloudy and rainy. I think I would have preferred the rain at this point. The 45-minute break was enjoyed and they had a little craft fair/ farmer's market thing going on. One guy was selling handmade violins for $100 each!

A 100 miles later we arrived battered and tired at the Nordic Oceanfront Inn in Lincoln City, Or.

The view from the rooms was terrific and there was a wide beach down the bluff about 50 feet. The adults suppered about six blocks away at Maxwells while the younger set enjoyed beers and pizza. Not having had any adult products pass his lips, Stephen had Mark drive the M3 home from their supper!

Hayden discovered the alarm system on my BMW, having tried to move it during the evening as a prank.

There was some discussion as to whether or not we would head inland if the wind prevailed the next morning.

Tucked in pretty early with a sore back from fighting the wind all day long.

Oregon got the better of me, but there weren't any incidents so it was a good day.

Keep on rockin'

Barney, Betty and Bamm-Bamm