Or “What I Did On My Summer Vacation”

As is tradition, I took a week off for my birthday again this year, and this time managed to get to places I haven’t been in many years, if ever. I’m still a big fan of the Pacific Coast Highway, so I thought it appropriate to hit that again, but this time go all the way South to the California border and then cut inland to the Old Hometown and see my brother for a minute on the way back. Being a wimp and all, I broke the ride down into sections, because as much as I dig the Vulcan, she ain’t the best long-distance tour bike and I definitely need to stop and stretch every couple of hours.

Day 1: Morning – East Portland to Depoe Bay

I threw the last few things into a backpack, kissed my lovely wife, and rolled out at a nice leisurely 10:30am because I’m lazy and on vacation. The goal was to get out to Depoe Bay Oregon by around lunchtime and stop and do touristy things there.

I started off the day with sunshine, but about 10 minutes before I hit the left turn onto the 101 the Coastal weather pattern took over, and it became horizon-to-horizon grey and dropped down to about 60F. Being a smart dog, I had checked the weather before leaving so I had better gear choices than that first camping trip where I shivered by ass off.