California - the place you want to be................

It is Monday and we are in Garberville - a small town in northern California - struggling with technology once again - there are photos hopefully from last week as well as these. Internet access is not on every street corner - or behind every redwood tree !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The last time we wrote we were at Driftwood Shores with the Cunninghams - We had Clam Chowder for lunch on the wharf and pizzas together at the Hotel.

Sunday - Joanne picked us up from the camp as she was unable to camp with us for the night - we all had breakfast together - wraps and bacon & eggs and more.
We went to the Oregon Dunes and Joanne, Steve & Glenn had a fantastic ride on a buggy. The area of the dunes is enormous - several thousand acres. Then we had fresh crab and a picnic on the beach. It was so good to have the time with Mary, Ken & Joanne - see you on the way back.

Monday - Past Heceta head and through another tunnel - To the Darlington Gardens to see masses of Cobra Lillies - a native. On into the fog past Reedsport and to Umpqua Lighthouse state park. A camp fire to dry the clothes.

Tuesday - FOG - on to the Coos Bay Bridge - no shoulder to ride on. Lots of toots at Glenn on the bridge. But we are here to write the blog. Glenn ran out of back brakes and no bike shop for 2 days. - Thats what shoes are for - Foot brakes!!!!!!!! Went to Shore Acres Gardens in the fog - Spectacular. Met Arnold & Marieka - A Kiwi Couple.

Wednesday - FOG again but broke out into the sun at 9:45 - Stopped at Bandon to dry the tent and get groceries. Lunch at Langlois but no luck in the library updating this. Arrived at Humbug Mountain - a great camp and went down to the sea - Brrrrrrrrrr - cold - no swimming. More blackberries.

Thursday - The last day in Oregon and the best was last - the scenery was fantastic. Over Cape Sebastion - No back brakes but a hole in the shoe. Over the highest bridge in Oregaon and more stunning scenery. Into Brookings to a bike shop and after some work - NEW BRAKES.
Time for a coffee and grocery shopping. A laundry at the camp - clean clothes - the neighbours will be pleased.

Friday - Into California - a good run through a quiet backroad - saw and heard sea lions on an island close to Pebble Beach. Over a big climb in the mist - 1 hour uphill. Stopped at Klamath for a sticky bun ready for the next 1 hour uphill. The mist was gone and we had a 5 mile decent through the Redwoods - Awesome trees. Stopped at a big tree. On to Elk Praire Camp ground. There were Elks and 1st night with bear boxes for food. This was our last night with Marieka & Arnold from Albany - thanks for the company and what we learned from you.

Saturday - Passed elk including one in a front garden! Stopped at the Redwood National Park Centre - interesting. On to Trinidad for lunch. On the freeway ( very safe) to Arcata - a very hippy university town - asked if we wanted drugs - "Hey Man" . But bought some more brake pads as spares.

Sunday - Eureka here we come - great Victorian buildings. Stopped in Scotia for lunch at the logging (lumber) museum. Then into the Avenue Of The Giants. It is hard to describe the awe these trees make you feel. Just something else. Burlington Camp - amongst the trees. - Saw our 1st black bear running across a paddock.