Day 17 - Garberville, CA. 112km

 Eureka will become a story in the trip's tale but not necessarily for all the best reasons.  Seems their choice of hotel included all night entertainment of the nefarious kind that led to a rather sleepless night until their next door neighbours were escorted from the premises by Eureka's finest around 4am.  So with only a couple of hours sleep but a night's room rental refund in their pockets the guys rode off in the morning in overcast skies and overcast moods.  But as they rode inland they came out of the fog and overcast into 84F sunny skies  and met up with the Humboldt River as they entered Humboldt State Park.  Then for 70km they rode slowly through along the Avenue of Giants in awe of the towering, ancient redwoods.  Amazing, stunning, impressive, inspirational, spiritual were the words they used to try to convey the emotions that these giants evoked as they rode under their canopy.  

Humboldt River

Gary in hollow trunk of tree     Posted by Janet

Needless to say the events of the previous night were left far behind as their heads were filled with the images of the Avenue of Giants on the rest of the days ride into Garberville.  A good days ride!

Day 16 - Eureka CA. 79km

Day 16 Route

Riding from Orick to Eureka was an easy ride but again in the fog the whole day.  Apparently, in places they could hear the ocean surf and even the bark of seals but didn't catch a glimpse of the water because of the fog.  The only picture for today is of some pretty but unknown grass that they have been seeing along the edge of the road for the past few days.  Tonight a Motel 6 beckoned and they are relaxing to get ready for tomorrow's ride.

Mystery grass along the road

Day 15 - Orick, CA. 104km

Day 15 Route

Some of you may be thinking that the guys really did stay in Brookings, but no, they are on the move and I'm just not keeping up with them.  They left Brookings early Tuesday, Sept 4th in cold, wet fog and left Oregon behind as they entered CA. 

Kevin & Gary California bound.

Towering Redwood

As they rode along in the fog they started their ascent into Redwoods National Park and 2 impressive hills.   The first hill was a 7km long ride that rose to 1200ft followed later by another long climb of 800ft. But as they climbed they rode into the majestic ancient redwood forests and experienced the reverence that trees towering 1000ft over your head with 21ft diameters invoke.  Even the fog added to the mysticism as seen in this picture that Gary captured of the sun's rays shining through the trees creating Mother Nature's cathedral. 

Nature's Cathedral

Their day took them through 2 state parks withing the National Park. First, Del Norte Coast Redwood State Park and then Prairie Creeks Redwood State Park.  They rode with the trees lining the highway, stopping along the way to absorb the very special place they were in.  As Gary said, "It's impossible not to be awestruck". 
They ended their day in the town of Orick, in minimal but dry and warm accommodation.

Giant Redwoods

The guys dwarfed by a Redwood

Day 14 - Brookings, OR.

Marina in Brookings, OR

Gary & Tug enjoying the yard

Today was a day off for the guys and the only riding they did was into town to find some groceries, newspapers, and to look for a place for supper and breakfast.  This little jaunt gave them a chance to look around town and they discovered there was a big salmon derby there just before they arrived.  But since I didn't hear any mention of salmon for supper,  I guess it was all eaten before they arrived.  Then it was back to Sharon's to put their feet up, enjoy the backyard, read the newspaper and relax with beer, wine and cups of coffee.  A well deserved rest day in a wonderful little town with much appreciation for Sharon's generosity.

Kevin relaxing with coffee and newspaper

Posted by Janet

Day 13 - Brookings, OR 50km

Day 13 Route

An easy leisurely 50km ride to reach Brookings, OR gave them lots of time for frequent stops and photo ops along their coastal route as they took in the sights, sounds and breathed in the crisp ocean air.  They arrived early, unloaded and settled themselves in for a couple of days off their bikes.  Tomorrow will be a chance to explore the area, do their laundry and just relax. 

Taking a break

View along the coast

Sea Stacks close to shore

Sand and Sea Stacks

Posted by Janet

Day 12 - Gold Beach, OR. 139km

Day 12 Route

The 1st of September was Day 12 of their ride and it was another day of great riding with the wind at their backs, the ocean surf providing the rhythm, and stunning views along the way. The morning started with a ride through the woods but as they reached Port Orford they popped out from under the trees to the panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean.  I would say from the superlative descriptions I am hearing of the scenery that the Coastal Highway is living up to everything the guys expected it would be and then some.

Maurice and Kevin chatting with Lucy & Elliot

They continue to meet and travel parts of the days with like-minded cyclists.  Today their new friends were Brits, Lucy and Elliot. 

They're still smiling!

They put in 139km today to put themselves in easy riding distance of Brookings where a longtime friend has opened her home to the guys for a couple of days off their bikes.  Thanks Sharon - I just hope they get back on their bikes so we don't have to pick them up at your place in 3 weeks!

Sea Stacks between Port Orford and Gold Beach, OR

Dunes and surf between Port Orford and Gold Beach

 Posted by Janet

Day 11- North Bend, OR., 98km.

Day 11 - Satellite Map Route

Another great day of riding with the wind at their backs over rolling hills and flat terrain that made it seem like they were floating along the road.  The traffic is getting heavier, especially with the long weekend starting, but the good bike lanes keep them safe. For much of today there was a huge continuous sand dune between them and the ocean.  In places it was as much at 100ft high and 2-3 miles wide (ie 3-5km).  The dune is part of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.  Pretty impressive scenery.  On their ride today they went through Florence where they stopped for breakfast, Gardiner for a photo op, on to Reedsport for lunch and stopped in North Bend for supper and the night. 

Day 11 - Rest stop at Gardiner, OR

Day11 - View of the start of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

Posted by Janet