Adventures of an E-POD

Our weekend camping trip began with our E-Pod (Escape Pod) filled with our gear, food, bikes and two hard shell kayaks. We arrived on Saturday night at Beverly Beach Campground just south of Lincoln City, Oregon. Our evening meal was crowned with a cozy campfire, stars, playing guitar and serenading to the little critters darting in and out of our campsite. The next morning began with a stroll on the beach with camera in tow. Photographing beach artifacts, birds, dogs, children and adults at play in the surf along the way, sure made wonderful morning entertainment. Devils Punch Bowl's surf was up and the surfboarders rode the waves like chariot rider's lurching forward behind wild white horses racing to the shore.

We explored the tide pools and rocks on the beach and watched the birds dart in and out for their tasty morsels. As we made our way up the long stairs to the top of the park’s access road, the blue sky and ocean beckoned us to return. With a mission in mind and a right turn at the last stair, we meandered through a quiet beach community with neighborly homes and gardens. A very large overgrown hedge uttered word's "Don't just pass by, come on in… grab a hammer and some nails to give me a hand!" The hedge turned out to actually be a retired fireman/contractor's disguise for luring in unsuspecting passer-bys. Anyone was welcome to help him complete the lovely beach house he had been working on for three years. After an hour visit and tour of the premises, with no new nails pounded, our growling bellies urged us to bid farewell... with a promise of return with our own work belts.

The hike back to camp gave us ample time to reflect that we had easily walked about six miles. No wonder we were famished. A tasty brunch off our camp stove, packed and loaded gear and a drive up to Siletz Bay, had us in our kayaks in less than two hours.

The Pacific Ocean’s tide was incoming to Siletz Bay. We timed it so as to ride the rising tide up the river, to aid our paddle a half-a-mile upstream. A right turn at the old wood sided house, per the moorage owner, fed us into the Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The day became even more glorious as the deer danced along the shoreline, eagles, herons and other feathered friends popped up in flight. The flora and fauna of the refuge competed in their beauty pageant. The colors of the day became more brilliant from the afternoon light, as the sun lowered to the ocean's horizon.

The wind increased as we exited the refuge on the south side, under the bridge, into Siletz Bay. The small white caps kicked up with salt spray, while we pulled hard with paddles, more determined to cross the mile or so of the bay, rather than back track the four miles we had already paddled from the dock. Our intent was to full circle the area surrounding the bridge. When we reached the Siletz River opening, the wind and tide were in our favor and gave us a leisurely ride back to the launching ramp. Loading the kayaks on the E-Pod, my husband and I decided that we had earned our ice cream and headed into town for our favorite flavors. Certainly, this was a delicious way to end our weekend E-Pod adventure... knowing we would be back for more another day, before summer's end.

- Jadia W., Vancouver, WA