Regret

Day 52, May 23, 1997

Oregon Dunes

80 km

We packed up our waterlogged tent and tarps and headed for another campground further south. We chose a campsite with half the number of mosquitoes and twice the space, but equally as private as the first one. Surrounded by hedge, we were out of sight from all prying eyes except those that walked past the van and directly into our "space".

The day was spent driving and setting up, and doing laundry and grocery shopping in the nearest community. After dinner, about 7:30, we headed into the dunes again. This location was closer to what I had originally expected: rolling hills of sculpted sand, the white contrasting with long dark shadows for miles. The sky was still overcast with grey clouds and it was getting dark, so we left without cameras or binoculars. As we reached the deflation plain, we could see a tiny gap between the clouds on the horizon. The sun was going down and a faint yellow edged the clouds hanging above the ocean. When the sun descended into the tiny strip of blue sky it turned the clouds pink, then darker and darker until they were red. The sun reflected on the ocean, sparkling almost silver. The dunes became pinkish and the ponds the faintest purple. It was one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen, and I was without a camera.

| Ralph in Oregon | Ralph in the Oregon Dunes |