August 31 started with more
rain in the morning, but I was only going to travel about 45 miles this day, so I waited
it out and by about 9:30 it had stopped. The sun came out shortly thereafter and I took
the opportunity to dry out my tent and sleeping bag before folding them for another day of
travel. Actually, I used an effective combination of sun and restroom hand-dryer.
The highlight of the day was at an ocean
overlook near the town of Depoe Bay, where I saw three or four whales a quarter mile or so
offshore. No great look at them (i.e., flukes sticking up in the air), but they were
clearly whales. I'm not positive about this, but I think I heard one of them yelling
"Kelp, Kelp."
The other highlight of the day was that I was
chased by a wiener dog. She (may have been "Gretchen") was unleashed with her
owners at an overlook as I peddled by. I saw her coming and yelled "Stay," but
she didn’t. Her "Mom" was screaming, but she didn’t stop. We were all
concerned that she would get out in the street and get hit by a car. She had a good angle
on me and managed to get right in front of the bike as I braked to a stop. There was panic
in her eyes at the last moment as I came to a stop and she tried to roll over in front of
me. No harm – I didn’t touch her – and her owner whisked her away to
safety. I think she was living out a long-held fantasy.
(Great
Adventures to Scenic Places)
