Thursday, August 30, 2012

Day 2, The Redwoods



Wow, another cold start, this time with the heavy fog common to the California coast.  Every bit of extra clothing made morning ride workable, but for the poor visibility.  In and out of the trees along the coast, it was mostly invisible. A sweet, small beach pushed back the fog enough to enjoy this coast highway drive, undoubtedly stunning when the weather is better.  For over 100 miles the coast highway winds along the cliffs, slow going some times on the sharp turns, but well worth the easy pace.

Thirty miles south of Crescent City is a mandatory detour through the old growth Redwood Forest at Prarie Creek Redwoods State Park.  It turned out to be the highlight of the day.  Totally alone on thie ten-mile alternate stretch of 101, the trees loomed enormous, blotting out the sky.  A must stop at “Big Tree” offered to grand experiences, the tree itself and the warning sign at the trail head.  Notice the little human in the picture.  It was a fast run in bear protection gear from where I propped the camera to get in the picture in time.  That tree is BIG.  And so are all of its siblings.
A stop at Eureka landed my first souvenir T-shirt at the Harley shop, a Redwoods memory.  I ‘complained’ about the cold ride and the young lady said, in about 30 minutes it will warm up as 101 swings inward.  So much for whining about the cold.  Within an hour of swinging inland, Little Joe and I shed everything but for staying decent.  The remainder of the day was hot, peaked at 95 in Ukiah.  It’s just a long haul, basically pointing the bike.  Evening finds us cooling nicely at a motel in San Rafael.  Tomorrow bodes of more long miles.  We’re bothlooking forward to theglorious panoramas of the Desert Southwest.

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