A 46 mile day starting in a cool and cloudy morning to a wet and windy finish in Coos Bay/North Bend.
The morning, despite the cool dampness of the air out of Florence, was wonderful. US 101 was in great shape and mostly quiet traffic. We enjoyed it very much contrasted with a less enjoyable finish in the afternoon.
At a morning construction traffic stop we met the Dark Man, Nicholas from Quebec. We had seen him several times the last few days but he seemed reserved and we never spoke so we gave him the moniker Dark Man. Today we chatted at the traffic stop. He started his trip in BC and is headed to Mexico City for now. He's camping every night and was very friendly. We'll no longer wonder who the "Dark Man" is. Now we know and we hope to see him again!
About 2 in the afternoon and we're a few miles outside Northbend, across the water from the town of Coos Bay. As we ride up to bridges on this trip we start wondering how we'll cross; ride in the traffic lane or walk or ride on the sidewalk if we even have a choice. We'll know soon enough.
Two young bucks on bikes just in front of us crossed by riding on the sidewalk but it was narrow and potentially with windy cross winds. Time for a mile long stroll across the Coos Bay bridge.
Besides the bridge being pretty narrow the traffic on the 101 here was pretty heavy with lots of big trucks, school busses and RV's moving pretty quickly.
Still on the bridge at midpoint but at least we're entering Northbend where we've decided to spend the night. Right after this picture the rain and cross winds became pretty intense and we were glad to be off the bridge and near our motel for the night.
Today, September 20th, would have been my Mom's 81st birthday if she were still alive. My sisters Stana, Staci and I usually toast her with her favorite drink, a vodka tonic, but since I was at a Mexican restaurant for dinner I improvised with a margarita. My sisters and I agreed she would have approved. Happy birthday Mom!
Cheers!
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