the beach

Cannon Beach, I dig the rock
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9.22.06

Today we went to the beach! We picked a town north of us and started there then drove south. We started in the town of Cannon Beach. It was a nice little beach town. We parked and then walked to the beach. It was about 70 outside, but not on the beach. With the constant strong wind blowing, it dropped the temperature at least 10 degrees. The view was different than what I am used to, there were big boulders just off the coast, which made the ridgeline that much more interesting. There were cliffs in the distance as well. It was a nice day to be at the beach.

So I stripped down to my swimsuit and ran in

lots a cheese
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We walked around there for a while then decided to head down to the town of Tillamook to check out the Cheese Factory. No sooner did we arrive and start our self-guided tour, than Meredith found that she had locked her keys in her car. So she called Triple A and we went inside the café to eat while we waited. After she got her keys we started on the tour. It was pretty informative, we got to see all these huge blocks of cheese cut up and packaged by all the workers and the machines from an observation deck up above them all. Then we got to sample some cheese, one of which was sharp cheddar that had been aged for nine years! It was the best. We finished the tour by buying some marshmellow/chocolate/carmel fudge for the road, and some of their famous ice cream for dessert. We headed back on the road for Lincoln City, to the outlet stores, but more importantly the beach, so I could go for a swim.

look close for the beard-net, first time sighting for me.
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We were almost to Lincoln City, when Meredith decided to pass a turning car on the shoulder and when reentering the pavement from the gravel hit a bump that readjusted her wheel. It wasn’t good. So we stopped, took the tire off, and put it back on and it was fixed, thank goodness. We hurried on, it being 6:40 at this point so as to make it to the beach before the sun went down. We got there as the sun was setting, and it was pretty chilly, but I was determined to swim, so I changed into my swimsuit and we hit the beach. Meredith and I waded in to test the temperature, no doubt about it, it was cold. So I stripped down to my swimsuit and ran in, taking the old “if I’m numb what does it matter” approach. I ran out dove under a wave, and ran back in to the warmth of my towel and clothes. I went back and changed and we watched the sun set into the water, while I snapped photos. We drove straight back and then off to bed. All in all a good final day. We’re going to try to get up early to catch breakfast at the dining hall and do my laundry, then off to Portland, to walk around for a while before my train leaves. It’s been a great stay out here in Oregon, and I hope to do it again.

shot of the coast on the drive to Lincoln City
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“Here is life, an experiment to a great extent untried by me.” - Thoreau