Sunday, July 26th, 2020 – Roseburg, OR to Port Orford, OR

After nearly four weeks of riding across America on the roads less traveled, of seeing sights that relatively few will ever get to enjoy, and of facing daily challenges that test one’s endurance, today we would complete our trip.

And what a superb way to finish the journey.

Oregon is a magical place (just ask Rob’s Sweetheart, LeeAnn, who lived there for more than 20 years). The range and diversity of geographical beauty is almost beyond comprehension: rolling plains, high alpine desert, dense, canopied rainforests, massive, snow-capped mountains (in July!), majestic rocky coastline, mighty rivers, lazy streams, towering, ancient Redwoods and Douglas Firs… one cannot help but be awestruck by Oregon’s grandeur.

Our departure from Roseburg followed Route 42 through Camas Valley, and down Route 542 into Powers, OR. “542” was an amazing paved road, with countless twisties and sharp drop-offs, prompting us to label it Oregon’s “Tail of the Dragon”.

Following our arrival at Powers, we did have one potential roadblock (literally), which could have sent us back-tracking for many miles – a padlocked gate.

We were lucky, however, with just enough clearance on the right side to allow our bikes to pass though. No explanation for the presence of the gate was given, and we never encountered another one on this section of the trip.

As the trail entered the Siskiyou National Forest, we were treated to one of the nicest sections of the entire trip; many miles of winding, mountain dirt roads, completely devoid of traffic, with little or no evidence of recent use.

Ultimately, we exited Siskiyou, and rode into Port Orford, OR, where the Trans America Trail ends.

Riding right down onto the beach, we parked with the beautiful, rocky Oregon Coastline and Pacific Ocean as a backdrop, and took one final photo of bikes and riders to commemorate an epic trip.

The official TAT was now completed, BUT – we still had to get home! That meant after the deep sighs, high-fives, and Rob dropping his bike on the beach the VERY LAST INCH of the trip (which somehow seemed quite fitting), we saddled back up, and headed north towards Lincoln City, OR.

Along the way, we stopped for a much-deserved celebratory lunch at an excellent German restaurant that Dan had previously visited, the Blue Heron Bistro, in Coos Bay, OR. – http://www.blueheronbistro.net . It’s WELL WORTH the visit if you’re there in town.

• 

• 

Following one last (MUCH needed) ceremonial washing of the bikes, bags, and boots at a car wash near Florence, OR, we finally arrived at our destination the evening, Lincoln City, OR, after 12 long hours on the road.

Tomorrow, the last leg of our trip to Portland, OR.

Follow our daily track via satellite at:

https://share.garmin.com/robdanryanmotorcycleadventure