Post 13: Back in the Golden State

Day 19 started out gray and cool but dry, and it was an easy drive south on 101 with very light traffic. We drove out to the lighthouse at Bandon and checked out the beach which is covered with driftwood, even more than Jenner. We continued south and got into a cold heavy mist before Port Orford. If you were on the return trip from Tacoma in 1994 you'll probably remember the huge single pancake Joe Gensley ordered. Well, the cafe on the cove has been torn down and a new business is being framed. We made it to Gold Beach in time for an early lunch and to warm up, and then down the road to Brookings for gas and an ice cream. It seems that Oregon has one very long beach with a few dramatic rocks and lots of ocean front developments. Many of the properties are impressive but the salt air and neglect has taken its toll on others.

We entered California passing the Easter Lily Capitol of the World (saw the sign), and as often as we've passed through this area we never really knew what was growing in the fields. Judy tried snapping a photo of the gold bear on the Klamath bridge and sort of got a long distance image. We got off the hwy and drove through the Prairie Creek Redwoods to the visitors center where we spotted some male elk laying in the tall grass. The Model A horn seemed to get their attention and Judy took a few pics. Driving south again we turned out at Trinidad and went down to the bay. The water and sky were blue but there was no place to stay the night so we kept going south to Eureka. For about $150 we secured a room at the Red Lion with free wifi. The room was big and dated and the wifi sort of worked, but couldn't open Comcast email. Bummer. We had appetizers for dinner in the lounge and retired early. One more report on the last day will follow, and I'll work on a recap of costs and routes for those interested going to Vancouver next year.

Steve & Judy