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Cannon Beach, OR
to Seaside, OR |
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My wife, being the go-getter that she is, secured a cabin for the weekend from friends of ours, about a block from the coastline of Cannon Beach. I thought, before the start of such a fun weekend, what could be better to start it off with than a little hiking? Since Jordan was up for some excursive with extraordinary views promised, Heather dropped us off at the Tillamook Head Trailhead, planning on picking us up tomorrow at Cannon Beach.
We set out as the trail climbed rapidly. Jordan did well in keeping up our brisk pace as I was in better trail shape than in past years. After topping out, we hiked over muddy paths lined with skunk cabbage via convenient boardwalks. Soon, we were back into deciduous forest as the miles flowed by quite easily.
The backpacking style that I have come to appreciate dictates camping when you are tired or if there is a nice spot, whatever is most convenient. Since we were walking along a cliff, there were no descent spots to camp so we simply kept walking while enjoying the magnificent views.
We stopped as Jordan's feet began to tire. Jordan has a bad habit of not wanting to disappoint, in turn, putting herself in harms way. As this is very thoughtful, it could also have dire consequences in the back country. I suggested we rest upon noticing her fatigue. I took a few and glanced at our topo. Hiker's Camp was nearby as I suggested we could camp there for the night. Jordan agreed on the condition that is was close by.
Within a half an hour, we stood in the middle of what appeared to be heaven. The skies were threatening rain as we set up camp for the night while we prepped for dinner. Jordan was amazed at our site selection as this was better than I had envisioned it. I did not like not having a view, but I was a little tired from work that day and just wanted to read and have a peaceful nights sleep. Just as I thought that, a group of backpackers rolled in with their two dogs, howling and barking, promising to keep me from a peaceful sleep. The people turned out to be very nice as we chose our respective shelters for the night.
Soon after the first clan's arrival, a group of 12 boy appeared from nowhere. Like the first group, these were also nice people, but threatened my peaceful nights sleep again as all but two were teens and proved quite rowdy. With the language they used, they did not represent what I knew the Boy Scouts should be. Jordan and I took off to scout out a view or two. There was a viewpoint just down the gravel road, overlooking the shore far below as well as the Tillamook Lighthouse.
Jordan and I huddled together in the increasing wind as she mentioned how peaceful it was out here. I felt gypped as I knew I had a loud and rambunctious night ahead of me. We talked about a lot of subjects on both our minds then shuffled back up the gravel road to boil water and eat dinner. I wanted to read a new book by Abbey that my wife got for me before the trip, but sadly, I knew I would not be able to concentrate on what I was reading.
We got back and ate as it was how I suspected. The Boy Scouts took away any hope of serenity that this place offered. They seemed to choose living off of the land rather than with it. The wood for sale, they stole it. The language they used, my daughter and I despised. They refused to listen to their leaders as the whole trip seemed unorganized. I grew up with close friends that spent their entire young lives in the Boy Scouts. With a feeling of melancholy, I retired with Jordan to our respective bunks, finally being able to sleep after the Boy Scouts of America did the same. It was two in the morning.
It had rained overnight. Jordan and I got up early as we wanted to hike into Cannon Beach as soon as we could, having breakfast and meeting Heather. With the morning, the weather conditions seem to propose a cool day with only a few white puffies periodically blocking the sunshine. My mood improved as we hiked farther away from Hiker's Camp. Seeing some early summer color along the trailside helped too.
The Tillamook Lighthouse came closer as we hiked along the cliff. I stopped to muse on the thought of the life one lived while dwelling in such a place for long periods of time. To me, this seemed like an attractive lifestyle, but I was sure that with time, the loneliness would drive one to madness.
We soon reached Indian Point, just before Indian Beach. There were a few surfers out in the Ocean as we had the beach all to ourselves. This was a beautiful stretch of beach as we did not hesitate to explore it. This is what hiking to me is all about. If you see something, go. If you want to take a break, do. If you want to keep on going to a better spot, why not?
We crossed various creeks while exploring the beach, looking for nothing in particular. We found the typical rocks, wood, and other debris thrown up on shore from the ocean's tides.
I found breakfast as a scrumptious little razor clam dug it's way down from the surface of the sand. As Jordan suggested I cook it first, I placed it back in the sand.
After the beach exploration, we continued up, soon reaching Ecola State Park. This was a gorgeous area, with wild flowers abound, looking over Ecola Point, a rock formation far out in the ocean. I suspected the euphoria was from us having the whole area to ourselves with not a soul in sight.
We strolled about while gazing at all the park had to offer before proceeding along the path leading down to the beach.
As we neared the beach, we found a sign telling us that we could go no further. Trails led everywhere and nowhere. Some led down towards the beach. We chose one as it led us along the steep cliff with the beach far below us.
The trail apparently no longer existed; a gift from an angry ocean perhaps. The whole area had slid into the ocean as we had no other choice but to climb down carefully. Really it was no more than a hundred feet or so, but still, a tumble would result in some injuries.
Down safe, we strolled along Chapman Beach, a beach that seemed not to have had a visitor in quite a while. There were thousands of sand dollars littering the beach in every direction. Jordan collected a choice few as we took our time making it to Cannon Beach where a quick ford of Ecola Creek was made.
We worked our way to Hemlock Street. We strolled into a park and ride, stretching out across a fine lawn like true hiker trash. I made call to Heather, telling her where we were. Jordan and I looked around, spotting a cute little bunny. While Jordan watched the bunny, I dozed in the sun. I could have kept this up for some time as I did not want to return to society, not yet. A quick re-supply, then off to Manzanita, I thought. I suppose driving back to Seaside and playing in the sand will have to do. Not a bad way to spend the time, I suppose.
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