True, we only spent like five days riding the Oregon Coast Scenic Bike Trail, but I have some things to say about it.
1. We got real spoiled last year on our Arches to Dunes tour through Southwest Colorado. We stuck to rural roads and sometimes passed an hour without seeing a car. This Oregon Coast bike trail on is just a wide shoulder on a very busy highway, or at least the part of 101 that we traveled on. True, these past couple of days have been prettier and less noisy, but for the most part the "bike trail" aspect disappeared along with a safe, rideable shoulder. There are parts of 101 that shouldn't have bikes on it at all.
2. Oregon State Parks are great. Every park has hiker/biker camping sections that are only $6 per person, and they are situated far away from screaming children in the RV/tent section. Park rangers are cheerful and helpful, and the land in the parks is truly beautiful.
3. We're started to run into a few of the same bike tourists at the hiker/biker sites as we made our way down the coast, and without fail they only approach Travis for conversation. Sometimes they even wait till I've left the campsite to start talking to him. Turns out my Resting Bitch Face is still as effective even on vacation.
3. I don't really understand a beach that requires sweaters to fully enjoy. The Pacific Ocean is powerful, wild, and beautiful, and it is also like 52 degrees. The wind is so pervasive that some families rent wind shields to set up on the beach to protect their kids from whipping sand. Even at noon I have to wear a jacket and pants on the beach because it is so freaking cold. Hardly anyone gets in the water without a wetsuit, and I actually question the sanity of people wearing shorts and bikinis. I can see my breath every morning. Also, these beaches have warming signs along the boardwalk that say:
"In case of tsunami, go for higher ground. Don't stay on the beach to watch the wave- if you can see it you can't escape it!"
"Know your tides! Watch for rip tides!"
"Watch for sneaker waves- don't ever turn your back on the ocean!"
"Don't play on logs!" (Because they can crush and kill you)
Sooooooo, why do thousands of people flock to these beaches every summer? They're probably all sun-starved Oregonians who are PUMPED that they have 14 consecutive days of sunshine after fall, winter, and spring of rain and fog.