Day 7

I was outed yesterday! Tom and I stopped at Neskowin for lunch yesterday. We probably should have gone to the beach because we didn’t see much beach from that point forward. While we were preparing to leave, a man driving a Subaru from Colorado approached us and said, “I used to do long distance riding, but I do single track mountain bike riding now.” He said he lives in Aspen and wanted to know where we were from and headed to. After I told him I was from Seattle, I thought he said “Figures” and then said “You’ll be safe out there. You’ve got your American flag so you’re good.” I laughed so hard. I said “I can’t believe you figured that out.”

I left Tom in Lincoln City and continued here to Depoe Bay where I am staying with a former colleague Iris. She lives in a beautiful little community south of town and is an amazing chef. Originally from South Africa, she’s lived in Vancouver, NYC, Memphis, and now in this area. I might have left off a town or two, but she is a great story teller and has a house full of wonderful art. Her mother lives with her and she was a quilter, so there are quilts gracing various areas of the home. We’re in the forest, so it definitely feels like I’m in a treehouse.

Newport is my destination today. Not far, only an 18-mile ride. Looking forward to being a tourist and not a bicyclist!