From the hidden coves along the Oregon Coast, he hiked north over Cape Falcon, fueled by 200 mg of caffeine and a half liter of water. The old growth forests welcomed him with their moist embrace, a haven for life both subtle and threatening. Moss-covered branches played host to creatures lurking in the shadows, and the endangered marbled murrelet found solace in these secluded canopies. Cool, clean water, vital for the survival of threatened coho salmon, and the entire ecosystem, flowed freely through these ancient woods.
His progress slowed by the breathtaking cliff-side views and frequent breaks, he considered a detour to the pavement. But a handmade sign proclaiming, “Angry Bees!” caught his eye, and curiosity got the better of him. Laughter echoed through the trees as he realized the buzz he heard was only thick tread tires on nearby 101. Still, he couldn’t shake off the electric intensity of the feeling that a cloud of angry bees was going to descend on him at any moment.
A missed trail, the Arch Cape Tunnel, and high tide at Hug Point shifted his course. As grey clouds loomed and his cell phone battery died, the roar of the ocean waves reminded him that life, even in its desolation, could be thrilling.
#hiking #OregonCoast