First Impressions of Life in Coos Bay

I am writing this from the Blue Moon Saloon in Coos Bay—classic OTA. Leroy just walked in. He’s wearing black pleated slacks and a blue dress shirt.

I have lived in Coos Bay for three days.

Some observations and impressions:

I can walk to two OTA joints.

I can walk Elmer down a bay beach every morning if the tide is right. This morning, I built a bay driftwood fort. Elmer attacked me and the driftwood as I built.

I live 15 minutes away from an ocean beach and we hit the sand at 6:30 this morning. One man there. We waved and nodded. He gets it.

I have been astonished at how supernaturally unhealthy a vast majority of the (white) locals are: obese, double obese, invalids, canes, motorized scooters, walkers, limps, waddling. I’ve never seen anything like it—a total and irreversible collapse of personal health and a perfect symbol for the American empire: bloated, wrecked and dying.

I lost two bucks in the Indian casino a half mile from my house. It was bracing to see everyone smoking cigarettes while playing.

Homeless are everywhere, particularly in the Empire district where I live. Many are in their 70s.

I met my neighbors and like them. We’ll work together to build a team.

I am refitting my creative mind here.

My back yard is a jungle and I look forward to taming it with manual labor. The old caretaker-of-the-wildlife-refuge persona is roaring back. I still have it 30 years later.

I know no one in town.

I am still managing my dad’s estate but that will end in a few months.

I found a record store! I bought four 70s soul compilations for $20!

I’m listening to the local oldies section with real octogenarian DJs.

I may look for a part time job this fall. I want to meet more locals.

Once I get mu furniture down from Portland I can entertain guests.

I’ll have to return to Portland every now and then but I never want to return to Portland.

I think of Dad often. He would have loved where I landed. True Oregon grit where I live..beautiful vistas, free socialist beaches, juxtaposed with the smashing, depressing reality of the bankruptcy of contemporary American life.

Another iteration of my long and unique coastal life has begun.