Redwood NP to Oregon Coast

01 Jul 2013               Redwood NP to Oregon Coast      

            Drifters.

            Everywhere you look, there they are.  These are not the crazy type in Las Vegas, but a professional bunch, meandering up and down the Pacific coastline.  We noticed the drifters in the first beach town we hit, Arcata, CA.  They are at gas stations, restaurants, and on the side of the road.  They need rides, food, money, and alcohol.  We have been in several McDonald’s to use Wi-Fi, and in every Northern California town everything is secure behind the counter and there are signs about how long you can stay and that refills are only for the current visit.  I guess the drifters are attempting to live off of ketchup and soda.  Today, while in a McDonald’s using the wonderful Wi-Fi, a keen, persistent guy was looking to “use a phone.”  As we entered, I immediately stared at him and just said, “Sorry man.”  But then, I watched him as he asked most of the others in the restaurant.  He was looking to use a phone to call his bank, so he said.  For some reason, he called and was told that he could not get in touch with them until working hours.  This would be 9:30am.   I was just checking email and sipping my coffee as he asked all the other “old people” travelers in Mickey D’s.  It was more fun to watch the reactions of the patrons as it was to watch him do his spiel.  Instead of a simple “no,” they all insisted that their phones were not with them.  Right!  One guy even gave him some money to go use a pay phone and said to leave him alone.  Still, he continued.  The vagrant talked to the restaurant manager about his situation, and then damned society for how evil we have become.  I found this hysterical.  Yes, we have become evil, but not everyone wants to open themselves to an obvious scam.  The restaurant guy said that some people will not lend out their phones because of scams that they have heard about on the Internet and on the news.  He said that some people will use their numbers to call another, get the number, and information about the caller, and rip them off somehow.  Of course, the guys said that was beyond his expertise, but I am doubtful.  Something was going on with him, and I am not quite sure what it was.  Only one lady gave him her phone, and she got it right back.   At every stop along the coast, there they are, the drifters.  This is just one incident that I saw, but I am sure there will be much more entertainment along the way.

            Traveling up the Oregon Coast.  Wow!  That is all I can say.  The morning fog lingers around for a long time and the sun only peeks out by surprise at times.  The twisting highway crosses bridges, twists and turns, and travels long sections of forest.  When you get a glimpse of the beach, it might be in fog, or with a few rays of sunshine illuminating the water.  But when the sun brightens the view, everyone on the highway pulls over to get a picture.  I just pulled over when I noticed the ham radio was getting some far off contact.  Driving farther would only risk a change in the reception.  It is just best to stay put.  I heard Manila in the Philippines, and Seoul, Korea conversing together in English.  How weird. 

            The entire Oregon coast is state parks property, so there is a plethora of campgrounds.  Katherine reserved us a nice site at Honeyman State Park, right in the middle of the coast.  Sites are a little close together and close to the highway, but each location has it’s pros and cons.  The mosquitoes are tame and the temps are at a perfect 65˚F. 

            Katherine’s right shin is giving us some issues.  There is a localized pain in the front and it’s painful for her to walk.  She hopes it isn’t a stress fracture, but remembers hitting herself with the shovel while getting it out of the truck and then running on it up Mt. Rose and in the redwoods.  Only time will tell.  There is slight visible bruising, but I hope she stays off it for tomorrow.  There is no 12 mile run in the forecast, thank God.