Though nothing but rain and wind were predicted for the Oregon Coast last week, we took our RV over there and parked it where we could enjoy the view of the Yaquina Bay Bridge and be cozy inside. Just as predicted, it was a stormy weekend with plenty of rain and wind, but on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, there were also periods of sunshine. I love the Oregon Coast so much. I just have to share some pictures I took on my runs, which were carefully timed during sunny periods!
Thursday was the only day it didn't start out raining, so I took a morning run. It was windy but so beautiful with a little blue sky giving me hope as I headed up the bridge in the raised sidewalk.
From the top, you can see a trail running along the edge. That is where I will run the next day, all the way out that sandy strip.
This day, I cross the bridge and head over to the State Park on the other side. From the parking lot at the park, it doesn't look quite as lovely looking back where I came from!
I took a trail down to the beach and ran down there awhile, then took a rough steep trail back up to the parking lot. Oh ouch, as I was scrambling up the trail, I stood up and banged my head on a branch. Lucky it didn't knock me right back down. I still have a sore bump!
I headed back over the bridge and just as I got to the stairs at the other side, the rain came dumping down. I sprinted for the RV park, and who should I see but this man wearing the world's best rain gear and his very wet and handsome chocolate lab.
Bless his heart, this kind man keeps offering to buy me some really good rain gear like he has. With his excellent rainwear, pouring rain and driving winds do not deter him from long morning walks with the good Zeek dog. It would take more than fabulous rain clothes to get me out in weather like that. Lucky for me, in the less than five minutes it took to get to the RV, the rain stopped and we took a cool down walk along the marina.
Day 2, Friday, we went down to the bay front in the afternoon, walked around and enjoyed some ice cream. Since it wasn't raining, I decided to get my run in on the way back. I found the entrance to that lower trail.
Pretty cool looking up from beneath the bridge.
This is after crossing it, looking back at the trail, which was a bit wet right there. Just past this point was a homeless camp in the trees, but no one was home.
The trail turned into a bunch of big rocks and boulders that I had to slow down to navigate, then came the fun sandy part, which I followed til it reached a gate blocking entrance on the jetty.
Then I ran on the beach out as far as I could to the ocean.
Here's looking back.
And just to prove the sun really was shining for awhile, here's me and my shadow.
Such joy to run on this rolling path, with the beach grass and seagulls and water and wind and beautiful patches of blue sky and clouds and amazingly fresh air.
This was a dry run, no raindrops at all!
Day 3, Saturday, we were once again out and about, doing a little shopping and out for lunch. We stopped at Agate Beach. A gentleman was playing a flute in the underpass walkway, and the acoustics were amazing! But oops, beach access was blocked by this stream.
I had to go to the road and walk down a bit to this lovely pallet bridge to cross to the beach!
Beautiful.
The clouds change so quickly, the view is ever changing.
Then it was back to the very special bridge once again, as the clouds have rolled in and a gentle mist started to fall.
I had hoped to cross the road and run along the south jetty on the other side of the bridge this morning, but I confess when I woke up and heard rain pattering on the roof, I stayed in bed and skipped the run.
When we got back home, I was jogging down the sidewalk to help Will, thinking how good it feels to run, when suddenly I tripped on an uneven piece of concrete and went sprawling. Oh ouch ouch ouch. When my old body was finally able to get up, I was amazed and thankful to discover nothing but one skinned palm and one skinned knee. Once again, I realize how fortunate and blessed I am to be uninjured and able to run, and how quickly one mis-step can change that. I thank God for every day that I can enjoy this blessing and his great creation.
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