Into the Big Trees

To Redcrest, California -- 66.0 miles, 12.7 mph, 1925 ft.

We all woke relatively refreshed this morning, perhaps due to our long day yesterday. As we rolled the extra mile south into town, it didn't look like the overcast skies would be leaving soon. We’ve heard from a number of folks that much of the west has been having a horrible heat wave, so we should be happy with our sixty degree temps. For the last few days, however, Meg has been uncharacteristically cold. Once she’s soaked with sweat from a climb, she ends up chilled to the bone on the way down. Unlike the hundred degree heat in central Oregon, it takes forever to dry out in the moist, cool air.

Breakfast spot in Trinidad

We’ve been meeting lots of travelers and local folks at rest stops, grocery stores, and restaurants, and this morning was no exception. When we had explained to people what we were doing while in the middle of the country, they would often shake their head -- we still had a long way to go. Now that we’re actually on the opposite coast from where we started, it somehow seems much more surprising to folks. For us, the journey is practically over.

The morning ride today was along Scenic Drive, a coastal road leading out of town from Trinidad. As the road weaved up and down along the rugged cliffs, it was definitely scenic and, apparently, just about ready to slide into the ocean judging from the gravel, pot holes, and undulating sections of patched asphalt. Our progress was slow, but I thought it was pretty cool for a change, plus there was no chance a motor home or semi was going to come along.

Once again, I mostly felt like I was out of gas today. Fortunately, the climbing was much less. After the coast, we crossed a section of open grassland. I was already looking for a break by the time we got to Eureka, but we pushed on to Loleta where we would be just over half way. We always feel better about the ride when we’ve finished more than half before lunch.

Unfortunately, we made the mistake of staying on 101 as it crossed through the city of Eureka. There were plenty of logging trucks, lots of traffic, and no room for bikes -- not fun. Some people coming out of a cafe told us how to hop on a walking biking path just a few blocks away, which was infinitely more relaxing and lined with beautiful purple poppies besides.

By the time we rolled into the tiny town of Loleta, the sun was just coming out. The only game in town for food was the Queso Kings Grilled Cheese Bar. I'm not sure cheese is the best biking food, but it sure hit the spot, plus there was a beautiful outdoor garden/eating area and a treasure hunt through the outdoor garden that occupied Dex and Kylie the entire time.

By the end of the day, the sun was out and the early headwind had shifted to a tailwind on the way out of Rio Dell. This tiny town happens to be where my older sister had lived and raised her family in the eighties and nineties. A few miles later, we left the highway for the shade and relative serenity of the the Avenue of the Giants, a small two lane road through groves of towering, coastal redwoods. For tonight, we would stay in one of a handful of cabins in Redcrest and prepare our own food -- cheese quesadillas for dinner. A big day for cheese!