Nomad Life - Day 106

I awoke at 0430 (alarm needed) to a steady rain outside.  This turn in the weather definitely made it easier to start teleworking in my hotel room at the Blue Coast Inn in Brookings. During one short break, I made and ate breakfast in my room.  Otherwise, it was work meetings all morning until noon, when I had a 30 minute doctor appointment (virtual).  This took me to the time of the late check out the hotel had graciously granted me.  I packed up the car, made reservation for my overnight stay in Coos Bay and then worked in my car until just before 1300.  While in the parking lot, I saw a stunning example of a peregrine falcon (wow!).  Departing my motel, I drove a short distance (south) to get some lunch at a nearby Taco Bell.  As usual, their food seemed too messy to take in the car, so I ate inside.  From the window of the restaurant, I could see that this town also had lots dispensaries...  During this whole time, it continued raining but I consoled myself that there was supposed to be a cessation in the precipitation sometime later in the afternoon.  At 1330, I drove a short distance to Chetco Point and found a trail system next to Water Treatment Plant.  The mist and fog made the whole area, which was cliffs and rocks, a much more picturesque view than other places might produce.  There was plenty of green and the ocean waves were crashing dramatically on the rocks in every direction.  While I hiked in the park, I carried my umbrella, which was somehow still effective in the steady breeze.  Along the way, I saw some interesting birds, walked on a driftwood covered beach and got lots of steps.  Finished by 1350, I departed Brookings and headed north on US-101.  The forecasted improvement didn't really come - it remained rainy, misty and foggy.  Passing by Gold Beach and the Rogue River, I fondly remembered my 2018 visit with Mollie to the same town.  By this point, the number of logging trucks had increased significantly.  A bit north of this point, I stopped to visit the Geisel Monument State Heritage Site (1435), which commemorated the massacre of a father and his young children during Rogue Indian War in 1856.  They, along with their mother (who survived the attack and died many years later) were buried in a quiet little cemetery among the trees.  There was a short section of the Oregon Coast Trail - I'll have to learn more about this trek!  Between the monument and Nesica Road (to the north), I got some more hiking in, despite the wet conditions and didn't depart until 1455.  As I drove north from there, I made several other brief stops at waysides and overlooks but didn't really hike a lot.  Still, my pedometer said that I logged about 1.5 miles (outside) after leaving the hotel (but before I reached my hotel).  Most of my attention, though, was focused on the driving conditions: with rain, mist and fog, the visibility and traction weren't great.  However, there were lots of Oregon drivers passing me, going very fast - I got off on a shoulder or convenient passing lane several times.  Before long, I started passing cranberry bogs and remembered how much my dad always said he thought Oregon reminded him of Cape Cod...  As I approached Coos Bay from the south, I exited US-101 on to West Beaver Hill Road so I could make my way to the State Parks located near Cape Arago.  I arrived at the first one (Sunset Beach SP) at about 1615.  There were all kinds of signs about paying $10 to park but none that appeared to restrict driving through the area.  As a result, I didn't stop except to look through my binoculars into the fog - I had hoped to see the Cape Arago Lighthouse but never did... Next, I passed through Shore Acres SP and tried, futilely, to spot anything at all through the mist and low visibility.  Before long, I'd reached the heart of the Cape Arago SP and the end of the road (OR-540).  At that point, I felt like I'd really missed out on all the scenery and, deciding that I could risk a short parking session, I hiked a short trail near the point.  There was a sizeable population of Black Oystercatchers on the rocks below (must be their nesting grounds) but no Sea Lions, unfortunately.  Back at my car, I made my way carefully back towards the north (and civilization).  Just as it got dark (1645), I encountered a mule deer along the side of the road.  Eventually (1700), I was approaching the outskirts of the town of Charleston and then crossed a bridge into Barview.  I drove north along the coast on OR-540 until I was in the heart of Coos Bay, OR.  Knowing I'd never get a chance to walk outside again before bed (it was dark and rainy), I stopped at the Super Walmart and finished my 10K steps (2.5 miles) inside the store.  Along the way, I found out about recycling in Oregon (from the Walmart employees) and bought supplies.  When I finished walking (1800), I drove a short distance to the Quality Inn Coos Bay (actually located in North Bend).  Upon checking in, I got a Choice Rewards gift (water and snacks) and was welcomed for my Rewards Night, which was in a "King Suite" (very big and fancy).  Strangely, there were doors (and door security catches) on both ends of the suite; one had been left open when I arrived (1815) and, when the other was locked, it reduced my chances for getting back inside if the door(s) malfunction.  It might sound paranoid but I didn't use the security features after that.  Once unpacked, I finished the Christmas Card address list I'd promised Erin and sent it to her.  I then spent time on finances, which seemed like time well spent until I accidentally overwrote a file I'd just finished.  This crisis caused me to stay awake to resolve everything - I didn't go to bed until almost 2330.  It's been a long day of rain but it will be a short night...