It Doesn't Get Any Better

We spent the morning cycling through the Avenue of the Giants.  It was bicycle touring at its finest. There was very little traffic, the road was smooth and (reasonably flat,  and the temperature perfect  as we pedaled through the forest primeval. John Steinbeck said, "The Redwoods, once seen create a vision that stays with you always. . . they are not like any other trees we know, they are ambassadors of another time."
(38 miles, camped at KOA)

Golden Eagle!

Thursday-July 30th - 59 miles on back roads through farmlands.  Saw my first ever Golden Eagle.  It was a youngster sitting on a telephone pole.  We were told at a visitor center that there are
known to be a couple nests south of Eureka so we got really lucky.

Seems funny to see palm trees by farm houses.  Following farmland we went through Ferndale, a cool Victorian historic town and visited their museum. Ended the day on the Avenue of The Giants. We're camping at an RV park and will get to start our day on this "Avenue."

                                           Farmlands with palm trees. Must be in California.
                       

                                                               Ferndale, California.

                                   Not a good pic but the Golden Eagle was a rare treat for us.

We're Girls

Taking a rest day in Arcata. What do we do?  We wash everything!  Sleeping bags, tents, footprints, shoes, clothing . . . EVERYTHING! We're about halfway and it feels good to freshen everything up. AND a shower every day. AND a massage scheduled for the afternoon. We're girls: )

Cool historic hotel in Arcata for the rest day - a tip from the local bike shop.

Blissfully clean everything.

                               

Redwoods

Monday, July 27 - 40 miles to Prairie Creek State Park. Camped and hiked in the redwoods. Saw lots of elk and a bull with the biggest rack I've ever seen - pictures don't do it justice, but it was remarkable.

Tuesday-July 28, 44 miles to Arcata. Rode through Patrick's Point State Park where the redwoods meet the sea.
Lots of hills. Taking a rest day tomorrow.

                                    Elk Herd a short walk from our campsite.

                  

CALIFORNIA!!!

Pretty excited to hit California.  I know, I know, it's a BIG state.  Two states done and we're not quite half way.  59 (hilly again)  miles to Crescent City. We're camping at an RV park.  We plan to take our time through the redwoods.

                                          Very exhilarating to see this sign.

                                      We crossed highest bridge in Oregon

                   More exquisite beaches as we leave Oregon.

Rouge River Bridge

We love the charming historical bridges we've ridden over. The bridge over the Rogue River where it enters the ocean at Gold Beach may be our favorite so far.

33 hilly miles today with beaches, woods, busy road, quiet roads, river, osprey, and a very cool bridge to finish the day.

                                                    Bridge over Rogue River

                          Wishing our grand kids were with us!

                          Morning breakfast spot-Port Orford

Bridge to the Myrtlewood Grove

                                          

Rise and Shine

Rise as in starting the day with a 15 mile significant climb.  It was a beautiful quiet rode and we enjoyed it with fresh morning legs.  53 miles to a nice RV camp with a laundry.  I've been delighted that we have been able to score a shower every night so far.

Bluebell got a tune-up in Bandon.  Needed a new chain and cable and some bike shop TLC.

Bandon has lovely beaches and unique rock formations.

                                                                      Face Rock

Egrets!

Thursday, July 24.  Honeyman State Park to Sunset Bay State Park-56 miles. We rode away from the beaches, through woods, and by lots of lakes today. A whole different kind of beauty. The most remarkable treat of the day was seeing a whole flock of egrets on a lake shore. There were a few blue heron hanging out with them.

Many of the campgrounds are full this time of year, but state campgrounds have hiker and biker sites and never turn you away if you're on a bike.  It's a nice thing to be able to count on.  It was a little crowded, but we were grateful to be rolled out like burritos:)

                                                                          Egrets!

                                                         One of many lakes today.

                                                                    Big Woods

                 Sunset Bay State Park - we enjoyed a spectacular sunset!
         

Serendipity-Blessings-Luck . . . at Every Turn

Heceta Head Lighthouse

Today we traveled what is reputedly some of the most scenic part of the Oregon coast.  54 miles from Newport to Honeyman State Park, just south of Florence.  As we road through Waldport, a kind fellow pointed out the local bike shop (where he volunteered). It's called Green Bikes Co-op and is a nonprofit shop supporting family literacy.  I've been looking to replace a shirt I lost and he had one exactly like I needed .  I traded him for my back fender I no longer wanted. Whatta deal.
Cape Perpetua, Devil's Churn, and Heceta Head Lighthouse were a few of the highlights.
Saw more whales and sea lions!

                                              Lucky find at a fine non-profit bike shop.

Lunch picnic site for today .

We Saw Whales!

Lincoln City to Newport 33 miles.  (We took the scenic Otter Crest Loop to Cape Foul Weather).  We saw gray whales there  and then saw more near Otter Rock - amazing!  Blue Heron have been our constant companions and a hummingbird graced us today as well.
First flat tire on my bike. Mel is a cheerful skilled helper for which I was most grateful. Nice to have assistance with a pesky back tire.
Our bikes got a good look over at a unique shop called Bike Newport. They cater to bicycle tourists with a lounge,free shower, and laundry- woo hoo!  Turned out I had a tire sidewall puncture so got a new tire and ready to roll again.
We met Mel's daughter here where she is attending a workshop.  We get to bunk with her in a nice hotel AND borrow her car for our rest day. Thank you Betsy!  Oh my goodness, just have to add that we got wonderfully therapeutic massages today - further proof I am a bona fide lucky ducky!

Rock Creek Bridge

         

                                                                Otter Crest Loop

Thank you Betsy!

From Now On You Shall be Known as Bluebell

I have been wanting to name my bicycle and figured it would come to me on the trail.  Sure enough . . . Bluebell!  She's a trusty steed.  So comfortable and dependable.  She has earned her very own blog post and is here on a picturesque old bridge on old hiway 101.

3 Capes Scenic Route

Adventure Cycling maps served us well today with 46 hilly miles around the 3 capes.  We landed in Lincoln City at the  state park to camp.  The Raccoons were having a party at our campground.

Ocean Views That Never Stop

43 miles of spectacular scenery to Cape Lookout State Park (south of Tillamook).
90 degrees today, treated to lots of heron and an eagle.
These 3 pictures are all from our campground.  We hung out for our first sunset on the beach.

Back to Camping

Seaside to Nehalem Bay State Park - 25 miles.        

We took our time enjoying our first day on the Oregon coast.  The beauty from our bikes is so accessible. We didn't leave the Seaside hostel until 10:30 after exploring the town.  We stayed a couple hours in Cannon Beach feasting on a picnic at Haystack Rock.  Though we rode a short day, there was a lot of elevation gain as we hit a highest point on the Oregon coast. We're happy to be camping again.

View from our picnic on the beach.

Home sweet home.

                                                   

Hello Oregon!

Long Beach to Seaside - 35 miles.

Highlights:

• Riding over Astoria Bridge
• Seeing lots of Heron and Turkey Buzzards (yes, I love them too)
• Lunch with Em (Mel's daughter) in Astoria and coffee hosted by her in the neat coffee shop where she works.
• Dinner with Betsy (Mel's other daughter) and her family in Warrenton.  Pizza and homemade apple pie with ice cream - thanks Betsy!
• Hostel in Seaside where we stayed
• Walking the promenade in Seaside

Looking forward to the Astoria Bridge we're about to cross.

Looking back at the Astoria Bridge.

Thanks Em!

Beautiful Family!  Thanks for the hospitality.

Walk on the Promenade at Seaside.