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| Elk |
It really
has been a day of contrasts, from the cooler coast and now tonight in the
mountains with temperatures in the 30’s. After reading about the state of the
fires in Yosemite this morning, we had a
rethink on our direction, which always seems to change! Yosemite is open but
the road through the park is closed and there is a lot of smoke, so decided
that we would give it some more time and head into Northern California and the
mountains and then towards Nevada…we think, and the will probably still change!
But first
it was a morning to do chores, so found our way to a very good Laundromat in Crescent City, it was really clean and a weeks
laundry including towels and sheets were all dealt to for $7.50. Laundromats
are interesting places, there never seems to be much talk, everyone just
getting on with their chores.
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| Loved this sign |
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| The sea fog was pretty thick along the coast. |
The drive
south was on the Redwood Highway, Ian thought that if you have seen a redwood
you have seen them all, but even he was impressed, it was a real spectacular
drive and we stopped in several places and walked for a time in the forest,
they really are magnificent specimens.
In the
field beside the Park headquarters we were surprised to come across six elk
hinds and a stag just grazing. Cody, you would have been impressed, check out
the photo! It appears to be mating season as the stag was taking extreme
interest in one of the hinds!
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| He was pretty interested!!! |
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| Spot Ian |
Back out
onto the coast and we came across Trinidad, a
really small pretty town just off the highway overlooking the coast. Somehow it
just typified California
to me, well kept homes, pretty manicured gardens and a classic coastal view of
blue seas and anchored boats. There were still a few clouds of sea fog hanging
around, but the sun had finally come through.
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| Everything in California is BIG |
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| Outlook from Trinidad |
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Then it was
farewell to the coast and onto route 299. As we climbed up to 2300 feet above
sea level, so did the temperatures and we got to 34 degrees at one stage. The
road was quite windy and climbed up and over a few ranges. Although Ian doesn’t
drive on his brakes, he does pull over frequently to let traffic pass which
involves breaking and by the time we were nearing the end the front left
callipers were slightly on and wouldn’t release properly so were heating up and
smelling a bit. Maybe as a result of its two year “holiday”. Will get the brake
cylinders checked tomorrow in Willow Creek, in the meantime came across a very
pleasant forest camp on the outskirts of town. Interesting the overnight cost
was $10, but for “seniors” it is only $5, evidently we can get an authorised
senior past at the Forest Park Headquarters in town that will be valid in all
Forest Camps in the US.
Will make a stop there in the morning. In the meantime we sat under the trees
with a breeze blowing and a cold beer….perfect! Except forgot about the
mosquitoes…it took 3 nips before I remembered and put the spray on!
Met a
father and son in camp who were on a short biking trip on their Harley’s, Mike
is an environmental geologist from Seattle and son Pat a pilot with the US Air
Force, we thoroughly enjoyed our chat over a few drinks.
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