There's a fine line between cozy and creepy

Hello Everyone, 

We are headed for the McKenzie River Trail this morning, about halfway between Eugene and Bend. Trailforks, the app I use to find trails, says it was rated as the best trail in America by Bike magazine. That seems like an exaggeration, I've been on some ridiculous trails so far on this trip and I've only scratched the surface of what's out there. But still, it's a good sign. 

I write this post from the window booth of a small roadside dinner, in one of the few little settlements along the highway that cuts through the national forest here. The gas station next door advertises the last such stop for the next 50 miles. I'm wearing a red plaid flannel shirt, black jeans and brown leather boots. I definitely pass for a local. The scruffy beard helps too.

Last night we again stayed in a secluded spot along a little dirt road in the forest, about a mile or so from the highway. It was, depending on your mood, either a magical sanctuary or intensely creepy. Take your pick. 

It was dark and raining when we pulled in, with temperatures around freezing, snow would occasionally replace the rain. The trees were huge straight pines and crowded the one-lane path we were on. Moss covered the ground and hung from the branches. You could hear the river nearby, but it was otherwise quiet. 

There was a small collection of houses and mobile homes at the side of the road when we first pulled off the highway. Again, either quaint or spooky, depending on available light. 

Despite being rather thinly made, there is a feeling if safety when you are in the camper. I kept expecting to see either a bear, mountain lion, or sasquatch when I got up in the middle of the night and went to the bushes outside.

The morning light does wonders though. We could see the snow covered trees in the hills surrounding our spot, and didn't see any huge footprints in the moss around our site. That's always a relief.

Wes