End of Journey

We said good bye to Jenkinson Lake with a 30 mile ride.  It may not seem like much but we rode 15 miles and climbed 3000 feet, turned around and flew down the 15 miles we had just climbed.  Quite the workout!     Then it was on to South Lake Tahoe where Jean's son Denny lives.    We had an opportunity to shower and do laundry, very much needed after our many days on the road.  Denny cooked dinner and we spent the evening sipping wine and reminiscing about our weeks on the Pacific Coast.  Sunday morning I drove back to Cedar Pass.  Jean will spend the week with Denny.  All in all it was quite the adventure!

Sunset at Jenkinson Lake

Apple Hill

We're camped at Jenkinson Lake in the lower Sierras.  Our campsite is nestled among the pine trees with a  great lakeside view.  I write this as I lounge below the pines enjoying  guacamole and a beer.  

Today we put on our bike shorts and jerseys with the intention of riding through Apple Hill an area consisting of numerous apple orchards and roadside stands.  On the 10 mile drive to Apple Hill we came across a u-pick-um berry farm.  So of course we had to stop and pick blackberries.   After berry picking   we used a local map to guide us to the various "apple" attractions.   An apple bake shop and cider mill were at the top of our list of things to find.   At this point the bikes are still hanging from the rack and neither or us are showing any inclination to start riding.  

We continue in the car until we find  a bake shop and indulge in an award winning slice of apple pie.  Then it's on to find a cider mill.   We came across a stand where visitors can observe the apples being pressed into cider.   After 15 minutes at the cider mill we come away with the knowledge of how apple cider is made.  It's almost 3:00 p.m. and we declare it too late to start riding.  So it's back to camp for an afternoon at the lakeside.   Miles on the bike today   -0-   We're hoping to do more tomorrow.  

Berry Picking

Bill paring an apple on apple hill

Legget Hill and Beyond

 We dragged ourselves away from the Old Growth Redwoods and continued riding/driving   the Avenue of the Giants.  This long tree lined road travels 50 miles from Stafford south to Garberville.   We camped Tuesday at Standish Hickey State Park.  The campground is perched high above the Eel river.  The Eel river parallels the Avenue of the Giants.  In 1964 this river turned into a great inland sea when a series of events caused a 1000 year flood.  The high-water mark of 64 feet can be seen while riding the Ave. of Giants.  

Wednesday morning Jean had the honor of riding the Legget Hill.  This hill is feared by many self contained cyclist traveling the coast.  It's a narrow winding road that reaches over 1800 feet.   Not a bad climb on a light weight bike, but when hauling 50 plus pounds of gear it's another story.  Jean had a great time, encountering only a handful of vehicles on this spectacular stretch of road.   I rode back from Westport and met Jean just before she reached the coast.  This section of the Pacific Coast is a lonesome piece of land with great views of the crashing surf  300 feet below rocky cliffs.  

After we reached Westport I continued on to Fort Bragg and met Jean.  Our post ride chores were shopping and finding the laundromat.   After Fort Bragg we drove to Mendocino and spent an hour wandering around town.  It has the feel of a New England village and a familiar sight to many as it was used in scenes of the TV series "Murder She Wrote" 

We camped Wednesday night at Van Damme State Park.   We had a long day and just managed to get the tents up before darkness set in.    Dinner was in the dark, but we had our head lamps so could see to eat.  We always stow the food in camp cupboards or the car.  We did this as usual, but were startled to hear a clatter not long after retiring to our tents.  A raccoon had been searching through the box of pots and pans.  It also left footprints on the cooler.  After this little commotion we decided to put everything in the cupboard and hoped the critter didn't know how to  work the latch on the cupboard.   It was quiet the rest of the night.  Our plan for Thursday is to turn inland and head for Jenkinson Lake.

Mendicino Cove

Footprints left by our raccoon visitors