Yesterday was a complete change of pace with a drive out to the Oregon coast. There wasn’t even time to write in order to get to the meeting place on time. A friend drove the hour-and-a-half winding route over the Coastal Range that follows the Wilson River. It’s an asphalt roller coaster that rolls to the Coast in the midst of a lush forest with splashes of autumn color. Then, there’s the majestic beauty of the Pacific Ocean when the road ends. We were fortunate to choose a sunny day for our drive to see the third member of the Elkhart High School (now retirement) amigos. (See Post #970).

It turned out to be a long-distance Leadership Meeting, with beers at the Pelican Brewing Company in Pacific City. I should have had a Rolling Rock in honor of the excursion we were on but they only served their own brands. Plans for the upcoming Phil Knight basketball double-header, Olympic trials in Eugene, and even Spring Training were discussed. Next door they built a “posh” resort and spa called The Headlands Lodge. Somehow, “Posh” jokingly became the word of the day. It’s a pricey beach retreat with views of Haystack Rock II. This monolith is apparently larger than the one at Cannon Beach that sits much closer to shore.  A third Oregon Haystack Rock is further south along the coast in Bandon. According to the reference source Wikipedia, there are three other geographic features in the state with the same name and more throughout the United States. I was not aware that there was such little creativity in Oregon when it comes to naming rocks. 

After paying homage to “The Rock” we took the “Roller-coaster” back home. Rock and Roll or Rolling Rock? I was chauffeured around all day in my friends’ posh automobiles (Porsche and Tesla) before returning to my aging Toyota. This was after a pit-stop in Tillamook (known for its cheese) for a farewell beer with our high school buddy that was the reason for our visit to the coast. He’s in nearby Netarts – home of world-famous oysters and Jacobsen Salt. We enjoyed an Outstanding In The Field event there several years ago, (See Post #178), after they had converted the once oyster processing facility into a gourmet salt factory. I’ve also kayaked in Netart’s Bay, after somehow being talked into a rare encounter with nature. There were no outdoor adventures on this trip, just beer and a brief walk near the Pacific City beach. There’s a monument honoring the Dory Fleet, a 300-vessel flotilla of commercial fisherman. In the 1970’s, the city was the second largest salmon fishing port on the Oregon coast. All dory fish are caught with line and hook. It’s easy to get hooked on the scenic views and wildlife you see along the coast. It was a great day for Rock and Roll!