Elk Prairie Campground to Eureka, California

Eureka!

May 10, 2014
Elk Prairie Campground to Eureka, California
58 miles

You will find this hard to believe based on our past posts, but we woke up this morning to torrential rain!  We scrambled to pack up camp and head out, hoping that the weather would change.

We were rewarded for our early start by a Roosevelt Elk send off.  Once on the brink of extinction, the herd is now estimated to be 1,000 elk strong.  A few of the herd were grazing in the prairie and lazily raised their heads to say goodbye as we pedalled past.

Roosevelt Elk grazing near the campsite

We stopped in a little cafe in Orlick to enjoy our second breakfast, and what a second breakfast it was!  Before we knew it all of the patrons were engaged in the conversation.  We enjoyed a lively chat with locals, bikers, and tourists.  According to this very knowledgeable crowd we battled GALE force winds on our trip to Brookings.  Rob and I laughed as we pictured the wind story getting bigger and bigger with each stop.  We feel very confident that by the time this story is told a few more times we will have conquered a category 5 storm!

Second breakfast in Orlick, California

Although, the views along US101 are unbelievable, we really don't enjoy highway riding, so we seize each and every opportunity to get off the highway and enjoy those roads less travelled.

Today we found a scenic back route through Trinidad.  As the sun continued to shine, we decided to make a pit stop to dry out our gear.

Pit stop in Trinidad to dry out gear

After leaving Trinidad, we were treated to several miles along dedicated bike path, the Hammond River Bike Trail to Arcata. (we found replacement brake pads)  Mother Nature even cooperated and brought us sunshine and a wonderful tail wind.  The miles flew by!

1942 steel truss bridge on the Hammond River Bike Trail

We arrived in Eureka and I was treated to a Mother's Day surprise.....hot shower and comfy bed at the Eureka Best Western Bayshore Inn.  Yes - I am spoiled rotten.  (....and loving it!)


Giggle of the day:

We took a break on the beach and as usual the camera came out!  Rob was attempting one of his "artsy" photos.  As he tried to capture a shot of the surf and his bike helmet, a large wave came in and soaked him up to the knees.  As we left the area, a stranger stuck his head out of his van window and yelled, "how's the water?"  He then said, "have fun kids!"