NoCal
As I posted in a previous blog I had a tough couple of weeks after Hudson got off the road. Unsurprisingly I took it hard and a dark, deep vein of sadness set in. But he made it to Memphis safely and is now with ginger courtesy of our good friend Hope - thank you ma'am!
Indeed, the stretch from crescent city to Klamath was exceedingly tough and it took all my focus and energy but it was therapeutic and though Hudson's absence is felt with every step, Indy and I have a mission to complete.
The Rhythm Of The Road
The first half of this journey has been a series of stops and starts while we were trying to determine the problem with Hudson's pads. Now that's been resolved Indiana and I have been able to grind out the miles. We walked 9 consecutive days together to garberville and it's inspiring to see the grown up puppy he's become. Truly a champion.
God it feels good to finally reach the rhythm.
Amongst Giants
Expounding my experiences in the famous humbolt redwood forest would require pages and pages at a minimum.
The avenue of giants, the main road through the park, spans 32 miles of old growth forest with sequoia redwoods reaching over 350 feet in height and 50 feet in circumference and dating back to the Age of the Vikings.
Aww that's a small moosey
On the One
Once we arrived at the end of the avenue in garberville a nice couple we met in eureka picked up lil nanner for the rest of the week while I continued on. The downside of the forest was that it pushed us inland again into the Eel River valley where temps get up to the 90s and the sun burns off the fog by 9am and is punishing.
So my goal was to get down to leggett ca, pick up 1, cross the mountains for the last time and get back to the coast where weather conditions are much more amenable for Indiana.
Only in reflection will I admit that it was bittersweet leaving the 101 after we'd shed so much blood sweet and tears on it but da-yamn it was time to get off it.
YBDs Notes 1: Adjusted Schedule. We're behind a few weeks and trying to make them up now but our target date to San Diego is the second week of December. From fort bragg I estimate 160 miles to the Bay Area then 500 more to the border.
YBDs Notes 2: companions on the road. We've had an incredible couple of weeks made even more so by people who have walked with us. From eureka to scotia we had someone with us. And our good friend Valerie from CT walked with us the previous week. And then jimmy from Fortuna walked with me on the brutal stretch from garberville to fort Bragg - thanks man. Helluva time & thanks for the native knowledge
YBDs Notes 3: #%?@!!!! Cell phones. From Waldport OR my ATT iPhone has been very little more than just dead weight. This is why I can't post more pics more often and why I have people helping me with social media.
Folks I met in Oregon kept telling me that cell phone reception wouldn't be a problem in Northern California. We go days and days without reception and it's tiring disappointing and downright lonesome. But it's inspired a whole comedy routine I've recorded.
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