Day 7: Bullards State Park, Oregon

Day 7:  Bullards Beach State Park, near Bandon, Oregon

Distance for the day:  11.7 km

Cumulative distance: 1,426.4 km

Top speed: 103 kph

Moving average:  41  kph

Temperature range:  Not really certain but the weather network says it is 14. In the sun, sitting here at our picnic table, it feels llike it is about 17 or 18.

Got up this morning about 8:00 am. I had laid in bed while Nan tried to get some more sleep; our partying neighbours were up till 3:00 am and were quite boistrous. 

Our first order of business was to pull the tent apart. It had rained further into the night

The new spot.

and even with my makeshift tent repairs, some water found its way into the tent. We walked over to our new tent site and there was a vehicle in the parking spot but the driver was sitting inside and it looked like she was getting ready to pull out. She must have arrived late last night because when we walked by last night, the site was unoccupied. We walked back to where we had originally camped and walked over the first load of paraphernalia: sleeping mats, motorcyle clothing and a bag with shoes. The next load we brought on the bike and then the last load, we walked over. 

We made a lot of effort to get the tent tight so that if it rains again, we will at least have a chance. Once the tent was set up, we jumped on the bike (which was about 11:00 am) and went to Bandon for breakfast and coffee. The little coffee shop was busy and got way busier shortly after we walked in and they seemed to be having trouble keeping the orders straight because they only made us one breakfast sandwhich. However, it was good and worth the wait for the second to come. We took our time, enjoyed the food and lattes and resolved to return on Sunday morning. 

After breakfast, we went to Ace hardware to try to find a piece to repair the tent pole as I had seen onlinle last night that they actually carried a part that might likely work. I didn't see one inside and so asked, and the employee told me he had seen the piece two days ago so he walked over to the spot to take a look and it was gone. He checked the inventory on the computer and learned that they were out. I may look for another solution.

THEN, we went to the grocery store to get dinner supplies: salad, packaged rice and a can of tuna salad for some protein. And cookies from the coffee shop. 

Once back at the campground, we saw Nan's "wild" turkeys. She kept sayling last night

that she had heard a turkey - I didn't, so I had my doubts - but there was a big male and with a female in tow. They look like the campground's mascots because there were quite comfortable with people taking their pictures.

We went for a nice walk to the beach, round trip about 5 km and it really is quite dramatic. Quite a few people there, even though it is early and pretty fresh, especially with the breeze off the ocean. 

On the way back to the tent site, Nan and I parted ways for a brief time and I talked to some other campers. We had noticed a beautiful bouquet of flowers in a couple of the camp sites and we wondered if it had been a romantic gesture or if in some way was for Memorial Day. Many of the campers here have patriotic displays in recognition of their troops. As one camper called out "hello" as I walked by, I took it as my opportunity to ask about the flowers. The fellow acknowledged that it had been his anniversary on the prior Thursday and he had had the flowers delivered to his wife's work, so she had brought them along. They were a very friendly couple and had lots of tips for what route we should take. He also said that Nan and I were welcome in the campsite anytime.

We are hunkering down for the hockey game, which is a half hour away. We have a nice, hot dinner planned and are hoping to have enough bandwidth to watch the game, otherwise we will be relegated to listening to it on the radio.