involved in life...

overlooking astoria oregon. that is the bridge that crosses from washington to oregon. i have always wanted to bike the oregon coast, however this drive has changed my mind. even if the weather was great and sunny, the road (for the most part has okay shoulders) but the traffic is terrible. it would be a stressful ride, (not exactly my idea of a relaxing bike tour) anyway astoria was awesome, i found a book (native american myths and legends) one i have been trying to find used for years now. and found out about some really fun things around this area. one is the astoria column...
this is the column. there are stairs in the inside of it. 164 stairs to be exact, strait up, and then strait back down. (actually the view in the picture above is from the top of the column) i loved it. i felt my legs burning, talk about a stair stepper.
these are the sea lions, the so nicely kept me awake most of the night. (i slept in my truck right on the shore, next to that big white building) these guys where hilarious to watch. and kind of cute too.
sea lions in the water.
so jessica (my best, favorite, one and only sister) has taught me the importance of breathing. im pretty sure i have always known the importance of breathing, but to really breathe is different than just breahing. blah, blah, blah. anyways i wrote it in the sand at sea side oregon
standing on the beach. right after i took this picture a huge wake came and crashed into my legs, scaring me to death. the water was up above my knees. im just thankful it wasn't any bigger. i ran to shore and started laughing and dancing CELEBRATING that moment.
i saw this guy (had no idea what he was doing) so i asked him, as it turns out he is clam digging. so i hung around and started to help him. i found 3 (his limit is 15 a day) he also said that one of the ones that i found was the biggest one he had ever seen. i felt happy to have helped and excited about learning a new art.
sand dollars. these where the only whole ones i found. i also found a few crabs, and a lot of broken sea shells.
view of the ocean
this is a waterfall i hiked to. i got drenched going to it, but im thinking it was well worth it.
i cut the oregon coast a bit short and headed to eugene oregon to see jenn (my old boss at REI) luckily she had the night free. we had a wonderful time catching up. thanks jenn for all the memories. may there always be a path to follow and the sun to SHINE on your back. love you and your guts!
im here to live. im here to breathe, im fee like the birds, to do what i wish. i know, i know. therefore i know i am. im at mother natures mercy, may she be kind to me for i know i try to calm her. i am the water, the air, the earth, the wind, the fire. i am man and i im her to live and be free --naidle-

this was written on my newest friends (see picture below)tent bag.
this is nathan, i picked him up along the road a hundred miles or so from bend oregon. he is a writer and a traveler. he is a rubber tramp as they call him (someone on foot) i was proud to meet him and hear of his travels and wanderings. i asked him why bend? his response was simple "there is a BEARD COMP" happening saturday and i want to compete in it." i instently was in love (of course) i can't believe i didn't know about this comp before. anyway he was great to talk to and share stories of my travels with him.

okay everyone. that is all i am to share right now about my last two months. i feel involved in life, and that is a happy secure place to be.