Day 16 – 8/17 Depoe Bay & Pacific City
No particular goal or plan so I just drove north. It is the height of the tourist season and although it is Monday there is little reprieve from the weekend traffic. Depoe Bay was slammed but I looked over the ocean and saw a half-dozen or more charter boats near the shore. Depoe Bay calls itself the Whale Watching Capitol of the World and the World’s Smallest Bay so I was lucky enough to find a parking spot, cross the street, and get a picture of the tail fin of a whale – not an easy shot because they don’t surface. All one is likely to see is the spout or the tail. Anyhow, I got a few shots and the one above is likely the best. When I looked at it on the computer I noticed a few people near the bow looking over the port side – I imagine him saying, “if you look this way you’re definitely going to see a whale…” Regardless, I’m sure all of the people on all of the boats were thrilled.
I didn’t stay long and we headed north; by the time I got to Lincoln City we were half way to my favorite Oregon town – Pacific City. I parked in a lot then parked outside at a table at Pelican Brewing. Their IPA was terrific and I met a couple from Gig Harbor with whom I talked with for hours. Jack was such a trooper – as long as I kept the supply of fries, slow but steady. After “lunch” I climbed the sand hill. It is 240 feet high and at a 45 degree slope. I climbed it last year under different circumstances and wanted to see if I could do it again. It wasn’t easy but I did it and felt much stronger than I did last year. When I got near the top I met someone from Loudoun County. Once at the very top I laid under a tree in the shade and almost had a nap; but it was wonderfully relaxing. Back down the hill and a very content ride home. Jack slept the entire time even though he went up that hill like it was nothing.
🐾 Jack’s Notes
We went on an adventure today! Yeah, there were some boring parts – when Dad talked to randos for hours but the whale watching and climbing that litterbox mountain – amazing. He didn’t seem to like it because he kept stopping but I convinced him to go all the way to the top. Every time he sat down I went back to get him. People love me – they really, really do. I was so tired though and slept all the way home then all night long. What a day.
