The OCT has been an incredible change of pace. Strolling through breathtaking beaches, beach combing for shells and other prizes, all while being able to stop and find a place to eat whenever we want. It’s given us plenty of time to enjoy our walks as well. We can stop, swim, nap, or truly whatever we want to do. A town is close so food is never an issue. Finding where is a bit more of a challenge but even still, with a sawyer filter, that doesn’t seem to be too bad either.

Our walk today took us along a beach for several miles while we commented on the homes perched on the hill to our left. It eventually brought us into a path up a hill that looked out over the beaches we just walked on. The weather was perfect today. Sunshine and a slight breeze. Our camp site is one of the best we’ve had since starting our hike back in May. We’re looking out over the ocean with the sunset casting its orange glow on the cliff faces surrounding us. It’s a wonderful spot to be at.

Happy trails…

A massive nine mile day… we’ve been really cruising these OCT miles. There’s no rush and we’re able to soak in all the spots. It’s a nice vacation from our vacation.

Today, we got up and were moving around 9 AM to a small beach where people seemed to be setting up for some sort of marriage/proposal scene. The beach itself was beautiful with plenty of surfers and families enjoying the scene. It’s been a nice change of pace compared to our isolating time on the PCT. Both are great, but the change up is nice after three months of the other.

We did our first big climb up 1600 feet to look down on the town of Manzanita. We then scrambled our way to highway 101 where we road walked into town to grab a quick resupply and eat some Mexican food at a place called Left Coast Siesta. It was just another 2.5 miles to a section of the trail where we needed to take a ferry across Nehalem Bay. We’re now camped out on the water by Kelly’s Marina. Witness a wild verbal altercation between the owner and some other individuals on boating etiquette. We’re not sure who was in the right here but it was quite entertaining.

Camp fire and smores tonight…