The next morning, after Elaine stopped throwing up, we headed for the beach. Much to Elaine's chagrin, Robyne and I came up with various theories for Elaine's private expunge festival. Our favorite being that after exerting ourselves on the backpacking trip, she re-hydrated with two beers, half a bottle of wine and a large grand marnae. That in itself wouldn't have been so bad, but adding the spicy crab cakes to the mix may have been just too much.
On the way to the beach, we stopped at Gordy's for breakfast. The diner was decorated in license plates from the U.S. and Canada. We entertained ourselves during the meal by locating a license from each state, but by the time we finished, we could not find North Carolina.
After our breakfast remnants were cleared, we rose and walked around the small room looking for North Carolina. Soon, every patron and staff member had joined our search, but to no avail. Finally, Gordy herself, went into the back room and found a North Carolina plate that had been sent to her and vowed to hang it up that day. Our contribution to humanity completed, we continued our journey.
The beaches in the West have more character than our beaches in the East. Huge logs, which had fallen in the rain forest before being carried out to sea, lay washed up on the beach. Jagged rocks protruded from the surf and sand. Water carved caves into the rocky cliffs. All of this sounds good, but the water isn't quite as warm or safe as ours in the East. I'd hate to be swimming when one of the logs washed up.
Elaine decided to rest her knees and read while Robyne and I walked the beach. There was a slight chance of being cut off from her by the incoming tide, but risks always add to the excitement. Eventually, a rocky protrusion, which extended out into the ocean, blocked our path. A few feet from this barrier, Robyne and I simultaneously broke into a run to be the first to touch the rock. Robyne won by a half step. No, we aren't competitive. Why do you ask?
It was still early in the day when we drove into camp. Our site was on the rivers edge and contained a good-sized gravel bar on which we napped and read the afternoon away. We wrapped up the relaxing day with wine and stew packets cooked over the open fire.
