Under the shadowy cloak of the night, he should have vanished from the coast, slipping into the abyss of the world’s troubles. But there he lingered, treading slowly along the hard-packed sand, as if drawn by an invisible force of uncertainty. The rhythmic cadence of the Pacific ocean’s white noise beckoned him, luring him into a realm where possibilities knew no bounds. Here, dreams and nightmares clashed, a battleground where everything seemed just within his reach, except the answers he sought for himself.
His supplies dwindled to less than nothing, but still, he hesitated to depart. The solitude and the desolation held him captive, whispering promises of self-discovery in a world he thought he could control. The 2,000-acre live fire impact area of Fort Rilea stood as an ominous obstacle between him and civilization, but it was a challenge he’d face on his own terms.
By the moon’s soft glow filtered through thick clouds, he set camp, seeking shelter under the meager protection of his USGI poncho and a Woobie that cradled him in its warmth. The rain showered down, yet he welcomed it like a benediction, accepting the cool drops as they mingled with his thoughts. Dreams eluded him, leaving him lost in a dreamless slumber, as if the night held secrets he dared not uncover.
With the dawn, his determination renewed. He would venture into town, fueled by a friend’s Venmo birthday money, gathering supplies for the journey ahead. Weeks stretched before him like an uncharted map, and the coastal expanse promised adventure and introspection, pushing him to the edge of his sanity and back. He would seek the answers among the tides, between the cliffs, and beneath the sky’s vast embrace. He wandered the coast, forever chasing the elusive truth that lay just beyond the horizon.
#OregonCoast #wandering