I had a delightful visit with my friend and partner in crime, Wanda aka Maggie. Actually, she’s your friend and partner, too — you met her in my novel Madame ZeeZee’s Nightmare. (Because of course you read the book!)
We talked non-stop during the days I spent with her and way too far into the early morning hours for someone who is still coughing so much. (Ironically, one of coughing fits I had on the drive today after I left Wanda came as I passed a warning sign that said “congestion.”)
I had a special thrill when I got gas — most gas stations here are not self-serve, so I sat in the car and let an elderly gentleman fill my tank. Apparently they don’t see many Beetles up here because he didn’t know where the gas tank was located. And he didn’t wash my windows or offer to check my oil, so it wasn’t much of a throwback.
Highway 101 through Oregon is called the Pacific Coastal Highway, so naturally I figured I would have a steady view of the ocean, but mostly I drove through a canyon of trees. Still, the few times I glimpsed the ocean were even more stunning because they came unexpectedly.
It’s a good thing I decided not to camp. Even sleeping in warm beds isn’t helping my cough. I can’t imagine how awful I would sound after sleeping in a cold, dew-drenched tent.
Sometimes I think I am a fraud — I talk of adventure, and yet when one comes around, I wimp out and hole up at friends’s houses or hunker down in motels. But I suppose I could comfort myself with the thought that I am merely on an adventure of a different color.
Bertram's Blog 
May 7, 2018 at 8:07 pm
Looking at your wonderful pictures reminds me why it was such a shock to my system when we moved from Oregon to Florida when I was starting first grade. I’ve been back, of course. Get rid of that cough.
May 7, 2018 at 10:50 pm
Sorry to hear you are still coughing I will be calling you soon!
May 8, 2018 at 1:11 am
Glad to hear you are having a good trip Pat (apart from the cough!), the photos look lovely. Warmest regards, keep going!! Treve
May 8, 2018 at 4:11 am
Adventure is in the eye of the beholder!!! You are making me think a road trip could be just the right amount of adventure for me….following Rt.66 has my attention. I am doing some “heh,if she can then maybe I can” thinking. I doubt I could (or would) we inspired by a fraud.
May 8, 2018 at 7:50 am
What beautiful scenery – thanks for sharing your pictures, Pat. I think we tend to forget what a beautiful country we do have. That picture looking out to the Pacific was mesmerizing! Glad you had that chance to get away & visit your friend in such beautiful surroundings.
May 8, 2018 at 8:30 am
I’m glad you made it up there without further troubles. The pictures are great. I haven’t seen the pacific in many years. Hope you have a wonderful time with your
family.
May 8, 2018 at 1:03 pm
You’re definitely on an adventure, girl! Your time with Wanda, uh Maggie, is exactly what an adventure on the Oregon Coast is supposed to be!
May 9, 2018 at 7:23 am
Warm beds are a wonderful invention, and your pictures are great. I love the coast and always forget how much of the coast road isn’t really coastal. Add you say, all the more wonderful when you catch that treasured glimpse.
May 9, 2018 at 10:00 pm
Beautiful views make a long trip sail by quickly! Looks lovely!