Current view (Robin) from bed. T'Chat on her chest, shelves above our feet. Yes that’s toilet paper up there.
A Zero Day
| Daily Summary | April 19 |
|---|---|
| Day | 08 |
| Start | McKerricher State Park |
| Finish | McKerricher State Park |
| Today’s Miles | 0 |
| Location | https://share.delorme.com/Judice |
Highlights
- We awoke to the most amazing sunrise of reddish orange in the east.
- We loved this beachside campground so much, we decided to stay another day to enjoy the serenity and relaxation. The morning run (her) and cycle (him) along the beach trail invigorated the spirit.
- With an extra day here, we took an opportunity to reorganize our gear to make access more user friendly, like moving some warm sleeping clothes out of the plastic containers stored on the teardrop roof rack into the teardrop itself.
- We bought the Nemo Bugout Shelter as an option for inclement weather or buggy campsites. It is basically a tarp with mesh side walls. With time on our hands we pitched it for the first time, and it’s going to work out well. It also gave us an opportunity to work on our knot tying skills (while watching YouTube instructional videos).
- Extra time and good ‘G’s’ (what we call it when our Verizon connection is strong) mean a chance to catch up on the news, SNL highlights, and chats with family and friends.
Lowlights
- Realizing that we lost two adjustable poles (for tarps and shelters) somewhere along the way. Replacement costs: $70
Observations
- How strange to think that only 3.5 hours away is San Francisco, a city of almost a million people. Here? Mostly seals.
Sand and Sunsets
| Daily Summary | April 18 |
|---|---|
| Day | 07 |
| Start | Mattole Campground in King Ranch National Conservation Area |
| Finish | McKerricher State Park near Fort Bragg, CA |
| Today’s Miles | 121.8 |
| Trip Time | 06:54:29 |
| Moving Average | 27.3 mph |
| Speed Max | 69.1 mph |
| Time Moving | 04:32:50 |
| Odometer | 717.6 |
| Location | https://share.delorme.com/Judice |
Highlights
- Driving through the Avenue of the Giants is like a scene from Lord of the Rings – the tall redwoods, light streaming through the branches, and lush ferns clinging to the ground.
- Highway 1 is the preeminent coastal highway in the U.S. It did not disappoint.
- The seals sunning on the rocks at McKerricher State Park tell you it’s time to relax.
- This morning we looked all over for Mr. Spock’s jar of peanut butter, and it was gone. After some detective work, we realized that last night’s visitor must have stolen it. In the middle of the night we were stirred awake by some rattling outside our trailer. When we opened the trailer door we saw a raccoon high tailing it. We’re imagining the raccoon smacking her lips trying to suck the peanut butter off the roof of her mouth.
- We met an 87-year old man (from Eugene) camping on the beach with his dog Tink (adopted from Bend). He travels the country with his pup. What a great attitude he had about life!
Lowlights
- After a week of camping, we’re starting to feel some travel fatigue. We may need to stay in one place a little longer. Our goal oriented selves feel like we always need to make forward progress.
Observations
- Road signs are required targets for shotgun yahoos. Everywhere in the U.S. of A.
- Oregon roads have fewer potholes than California roads.
- If T'Chat has a way to tie her leash in a knot, she will find it.
| Daily Summary | April 17 |
|---|---|
| Day | 06 |
| Start | Patrick’s Point State Park |
| Finish | Mattole Campground at King Range National Conservation Area |
| Today’s Miles | 80.0 |
| Trip Time | 05:01:05 |
| Moving Average | 31.0 mph |
| Speed Max | 63.1 mph |
| Time Moving | 02:39:26 |
| Odometer | 595.9 |
| Location | https://share.delorme.com/Judice |
Highlights
- We detoured through California’s Lost Coast past a charming little town, Ferndale, California and over rugged hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean. We finally landed at a small BLM campground where the Mattole River meets the ocean. Glorious. We watched the sunset in our bare feet and ran naked in the surf.
- Setting up camp makes us thirsty for a “celebration beer” to mark our arrival at a new spot. We enjoyed a couple of beers from the local brewery and ate a gargantuan roast beef sandwich made to order with all the fixings, especially horseradish. So spicy and mouthwatering.
Lowlights
- No showers
- I’m man enough to admit it: no internet.
- The pie company in Ferndale was closed on a Sunday. Isn’t that the day you most want pie. Seems un-American and downright un-Christian. Makes you want to bury a cache of food and weapons in a cargo container in the desert. ‘Merica!
Heading South along the Coast
| Daily Summary | April 16 |
|---|---|
| Day | 05 |
| Start | Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park |
| Finish | Patrick’s Point, CA |
| Today’s Miles | 130.3 |
| Trip Time | 06:29:18 |
| Moving Average | 38.3 mph |
| Speed Max | 68.7 mph |
| Time Moving | 03:36:23 |
| Odometer | 515.9 |
| Location | https://share.delorme.com/Judice |
Highlights
- We had a glorious run and cycle along the Smith River. The water flowed blue-green and was a sight to behold.
- The Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway Took us through Grove after grove of redwoods. We stopped at one particular tree because the sign said “Big Tree”. We took that as a sign of something big to come. The tree was around 300 feet tall and very old.
- We had the best Rueben sandwiches from Hole in the Wall Sandwiches in Eureka.
- We camped at the lovely Azalea Glen RV Park where we backed up to a pond and fell asleep to the sound of a frog convention.
Lowlights
- Bypassing a local county campground because it looked like a scene from deliverance
- No-plan panic attack requiring treatment with a Moscow Mule
Dry At Last
| Daily Summary | April 15 |
|---|---|
| Day | 04 |
| Start | Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park |
| Finish | Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park |
| Today’s Miles | 0 |
| Location | https://share.delorme.com/Judice |
Highlights
- After 3 days of torrential rains, we finally got a full day of sun so we could dry everything out.
- The sounds of the Smith River kept us company as we relaxed and read and napped the day away.
- Robin ran the park trails while I cycled into the mountains along the South Fork of the Smith River. The rapids below provide a background of crashing and swooshing that drowned out my own huffing and puffing. The feeling: alive.
Lowlights
- None
Going Back to Cali, Cali, Cali...
| Daily Summary | April 14 |
|---|---|
| Day | 03 |
| Start | Bullards Beach State Park, OR |
| Finish | Jedediah Smith State Park, CA |
| Today’s Miles | 109.6 |
| Trip Time | 05:57:37 |
| Moving Average | 39.3 mph |
| Speed Max | 62.6 mph |
| Time Moving | 02:55:00 |
| Odometer | 385.6 |
| Location | https://share.delorme.com/Judice |
Highlights
- Breakfast at Minute Cafe in Bandon listening to the old coots opine about “God damn” this and “God damn” that. And the breakfast wasn’t bad either., especially the huge biscuits that lost their gold medal status after getting caught up in the meldonium scandal.
- The raging surf spitting the largest waves we’ve ever seen.
- The epic walk with El Tigre (T'Chat’s feral alter ego) under the redwoods and along the Smith River.
- Robin smuggling contraband limes into California just so she can have a Moscow Mule tonight. Shameful behavior!
Lowlights
- Damp cold causing Mr. Spock’s rheumatism to flare up. Thank goodness for medical marijuana. Unlike Bill Clinton he admits, “I inhaled the shit out of that…well…shit!”
Blowing in the Wind
| Daily Summary | April 13 |
|---|---|
| Day | 02 |
| Start | Jessie Honeyman State Park |
| Finish | Bullards Beach State Park |
| Today’s Miles | 82.1 |
| Trip Time | 04:53:35 |
| Moving Average | 33.3 mph |
| Speed Max | 64.7 mph |
| Time Moving | 02:35:05 |
| Odometer | 275.9 |
| Location | https://share.delorme.com/Judice |
Highlights
- Beautiful run through Jessie Honeyman State Park to start off the day (Robin)
- Beautiful views south of Charleston around Sunset Bay State Park
- Botanical Gardens at Shore Acres State Park
- Sea Lions at Pinnacle Reef
- Discovered a free camping spot at Bastendorff Beach (another trip)
Lowlights
- Strong winds ripped my new tarp
- Chilly
- Poor sleep last night
- Mr. Spock acting like a nursing home runaway
