Yesterday was so hot in Portland that we opt today for an early morning bike ride on the Oregon Coast. It’s a place of great

beauty but also heavy tourist development. But people still make a living from fishing or oyster farming. We pass a great blue herron, pale in the strong morning light. Heavy road noise covers our approach to the large wader.

This morning’s ride reminds me of why I love bike touring—so little separates you from natural beauty. But, only a few feet separates you from speeding cars and trucks. This makes rides like this acts of faith in the skill of passing drivers.