As I traveled north, Highway 101 curved away from the mountains and towards the ocean. I finally found beach access in the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area and just south of Yachats, a small but trendy town on the coast. Oregon owns most of the day use areas and they are free. The Forest Service sites cost $5 for parking. I find that fee outrageous, but that is something to write about on another day, maybe next winter when I am a bit removed from the situation. I am tentatively calling it “Pay Per View.”

I meet interesting people every day. Yesterday: a mom traveling with two kids. They are from the east coast and flew to Oregon for a family wedding later this week. They brought their camping gear on the plane and then rented a car, something I have done before. Somehow, it works! We first connected because I saw them doing dishes in a folding rubbery bucket, the same one I have. I told her all the ways I use it: soaking feet, washing hair, rinsing clothes. They did not realize what a mighty tool they have!

I saw a middle-aged couple on the beach last evening. They had a spry, younger dog with them who was running madly. The woman also carried against her chest, in something like a baby carrier, a tiny, ancient dog. I asked her if the dog was okay. She said he was old and blind. I was touched as her hand rested on his bundled body and I imagined that the dog was comforted by that touch, the ocean smells, and the swaying motion as the lady walked. I turned to Tango: hey old buddy, I won’t be able to carry you like that when you are that old, but I will find a small cart or wagon. As he ran at full speed up the beach I didn’t see any sign that he might be slowing down even though he turns 11 around Christmas. Our walks and hikes have kept us both limber.

I also saw two young teens building an elaborate sand castle. After I admired their work, I noticed other castles around the area. So many other beachgoers that day had spent time creating towers and moats. One had been enhanced and decorated with bits of flowers and grasses from the dunes. Where did the practice of building sand castles begin?

I climbed, bare-footed, over the rocks and found some tide pools. With such easy access I expected they had been picked clean of any life, and sure enough, they were empty. A bit later though, walking along the water’s edge, I found a huge starfish. Tango, who was, thankfully, back on the leash, was not interested although he gave it a quick sniff.

I am camped with Gennie at the Cape Perpetuta campground. Although it is just across the highway from the steep cliffs that give way to the beach, access is tricky. The Yachats access works perfectly, though, and the town has a small but wonderful library.

My biggest issue now: stay on the coast where daytime temps hover in the high 60s or head up through the hot inland northwest to the mountains north of Spokane? The weather is pulling me to stay here but thoughts of my family in Spokane are pulling me in that direction. I will not see them for a few more weeks because of their schedule but at least I will be nearby. I will not decide until tomorrow when I take Tango for a haircut back in Dallas, OR. I have mail waiting there as well. After that: forty miles back to the coast or the dash to Northeast Washington? Before I decide, I will check wildfire and wind patterns along with the weather forecast.