Day 1: Lincoln City to Wakonda Beach

Rhonda has been giddy all week and her excitement sored this morning as we loaded up the car and headed for the coast. Randy and Pam joined us in the car and would later shuttle our car back to their place for the next two weeks. After dropping us off on the south side of Lincoln City we agreed to meet them for lunch at the " Chowder Bowl" in Newport. While we rode, they leisurely shopped and visited art galleries. 

The forecast called for sunny skies, warm into the seventies. An on shore breeze blew in a marine layer that kept the sun hidden most of the day. My thermometer never rose above 52 degrees and the prevailing north winds pretty much came directly out of the south.  Hey, anyone can do this when it is clear and warm and calm.  

We rode south stopping at Devil's Punch Bowl and Yaquina Head lighthouse before meeting Randy and Pam for some warm clam chowder and hot coffee.

After lunch we left our friends and saddled up. The brisk winds and cool temps kept us motoring along. Soon we were nearing Waldport and the local beaches. I saw some kids flying a kite and it reminded me of the last time I  vacationed on the OR coast with the Schmidt's and Hall's.  I recall finding a kite shop for Connor and little Leah. I'm pretty sure we passed the beach house we rented.

After 45 miles and 2000 feet elevation gain ( the same 100 ft 20 times), we pulled into Beachside State Park for the night. 

Our first day is down. Hopefully I will get used to the traffic on the highway. I was expecting less after Labor Day but it is a weekend along the coast. Until tomorrow.