Day 3: Saturday June 21, 2014

Because our ride was so intense yesterday Dave and I were exhausted and slept late and after breakfast we didn't get out of Santa Rosa until 10:30. We travelled north on Hwy 101 however, after a few miles on the road the traffic stopped. They were doing roadway repairs, so only one lane was open for several miles. We crept along for over a half hour before the second lane was opened on the highway. We took off at the Sonoma Lake exit and headed west toward the coast passing through the Dry Creek Appellation with acres of vineyards filling the landscape. We cruised up to the look out overseeing Sonoma Lake. The views were fantastic and the lake was inviting on this warm day.

Dry Creek Appellation

 

Sonoma Lake

 

The Look Out walk way

After leaving the Look Out we continued on the road to the coast. The temperature was 88 degrees and the road is full of twisties, hills and valleys; did I mention there was a bicycle race happening on this road? Yes we had to dodge those dang bicyclists, but we eventually made it past them all and took a break in the cool of the forest.

 

I just thought these were cool

I promised Laura that I would remind Dave to drink his water

After leaving the forest we arrived at the coast with temperatures ranging between 59 and 62 degrees and clear skies. Perfect! We turned north on Hwy 1 and soaked in the scenery and fresh ocean air. We came into the town of Gualala and could smell BBQ filling the air so we found this outdoor vendor at this small farmers market grilling up ribs. Dave and I shared a rack of ribs as we sat on the curb and savored those yummy baby-backs.

Does this really need a caption?

The small farmers market

 

After a belly full we got back on the highway and enjoyed the road and the sights and smells. At one of the vista points we pulled over to take pictures at we met some Harly riders from Tennesee. They shipped their bikes to Reno and then flew to Reno to pick up their bikes and begin their road trip. They are headed into Washington then down to Yellowstone and eventually back to Tennesee.

 

Our friends from Tenessee

The California coast

 

We followed Hwy 1 as far as it would go and it eventually merged with the 101 which took us to the Avenue of the Giants, the California Redwoods. Once making it out of the redwoods we stopped in Fortuna to visit with Doug and Sue and Gus! Always being such gracious hosts they treated us to dinner and they were so sorry that they couldn't accommodate us this trip as they are doing some remodeling on their house. Nevertheless, our visit was special although brief. We left them at 9:30pm and headed to Eureka where we are bedding down for the night. Another long day, but we plan on getting an earlier start tomorrow. We travelled 268 miles today.

 

Giant Redwood

 

 

 

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