Old Coast Hotel Fort Bragg

Within minutes of arriving at the Beachcomber, I asked myself why not stay over another day and rest up my hands from the exciting switchback excursion. I have to say that despite exercises specifically to keep them in good condition, my hands remain the longsuffering victims of really long or arduous roads. So I did stay over and spent the day ...

Sometimes you just slow yourself down and it's a good thing. I had been very efficient in getting all my gear packed on the bike and was looking forward to the redwood highway when a couple started chatting in the Hiouchi Motel parking lot about this and that.
When we wrapped things up and I headed out onto rte 199 south I did not get more than 4 miles or so when I saw a woman out on the road ...

... on Route 1 and follow the coast line up visiting all of the small coastal towns. This was a great plan and it was definitely fun for about the first hour or two but after a grueling 5 to 6 hours of what seemed to be over a thousand left and rights turns that boarder lined a case of insanity. Alright enough of my complaining the coast line was very beautiful and all in all we had a great drive up but it was a very long day.

Drove and hiked through one of the scenic redwood drives and hiked and picnicked at Lady Bird Johnson Grove. The redwoods are pretty awesome but actually smaller than I had pictured. Many of the larger specimens are located in mixed forests that contain a variety of trees, and others are scattered throughout this whole Northern California area. It is easy to identify their distinct outline once you know how ...

... pictures
or description on these added dates.

Please see Venice, July 24th - "Taking a Little Time Out" - for the latest update following Astoria on July 17th.

I'll add this same description to each
of the added dates and locations to direct you to the next update.
Sorry for any confusion!!!!


Linda 7/25/09

We left Eureka on a path to the Redwood Forest. Originally, we were going to the National Park, but it was out of our way and with the state covered with mountains, we decided to head for a state redwood park.

Wow, the forest was amazing. It must be the cool northern air that created a good smelling forest without bugs. I can handle bugs but there was no need to. We found a path and strolled around for a ...

... big, they've cut a hole through the trunk where cars can drive through it. From there we pushed through to Fort Bragg, where Highway 1 really starts. Highway 1 is the stretch of road that hugs the western coastline of the USA, and which is very scenic. We stayed in a lovely place right on the beach, at the entrance of Fort Bragg. The weather ...

... to say that was my favorite place to stay. Each room was actually a tiny little house with the Pacific literally in its backyard. It was crazy waking up to the ocean right there. We didn't do much, and since I was real tired I just relaxed around our little hut. The next day we left to go back to San Francisco. I don't really have much else to say, this place is just that cool. Just look at the pictures.

Well today was a really good day. After free breakfast I applied the sun cream (yes it was a scorcher today) and headed down to the sea front. I wanted to rent a bike and had to find one with a nice fat saddle like I prefer. I found one at Rock n Roll or something like that, and the bike was cool, plus he gave me some specific (but really hard to follow) directions. I followed the waterfront in a westerly direction, along the beach where the sun, sea and sand whipped ...

... Bicycles, or Horses Allowed On Sidewalks." Also, in contrast with most small towns nowadays, the downtown business district was bustling with activity. Retail stores, real estate and insurance agents, saloons and restaurants, automobile dealers, the full range of commercial activity seemed to prosper. there had been no flight to suburban shopping malls from Fort Bragg. I parked on the main street in front of Terry's Bar and found a seat at the counter where i sipped ...