Day 36 Last Whole Day in CA July 17, 2001

Today was to be an easy day since ! didn't want to pass up the Redwoods
hostel. ! slept late, walked down the beach and then rode of an hour and a
half later than the day before. The hostel is closed between 10am and 4:30pm
so there was no point in getting there early. It was about 15 miles to the
first town and breakfast. Off ! went. ! came across the visitor center in the
Redwood National Forest and was concerned about finding food so ! went in to
ask. They said 1 more mile to town. As ! was leaving ! saw another cyclist go
by heading North. Most are heading South w/ a tailwind. ! had to speed up
some to catch him in the mile ! had to MY stop. He was riding a 1958 Sturmey
Archer 3 speed. Just after passing him ! turned off @ the restaurant and then
groceries. There were more tourists there. After an hour there ! continued on
and got onto the scenic alternate route. It was a gradual climb. Not bad, but
not fast. ! busted another spoke and pulled over to replace it. There was a
couple on a Goldwing from Vancouver there so ! talked to them for a while
until a guy from Seattle stopped. He was carrying a large fanny pack and
nothing else for a three week tour. ! now had about 20 miles remaining. The
climbing continued until ! hit 30 miles. Then it was downhill for 2 miles to
get back on the freeway. A short climb and then another long, fast descent. !
hit 38 mph even though !'m not supposed to go over 30 w/ the B.O.B. Guess who
! saw just ahead of ME. The guy on the 3 speed. ! caught up to him and
chatted for a few miles. He is trying to make the border tonight. That will
put him 25 miles ahead of ME. !'ll probably pass him again tomorrow. ! wonder
how long it will take. ! had a couple hours to wait 'til the hostel opened so
! went across to the beach and walked around in the sand barefoot. It was
really hot. ! waded into the ocean past MY knees. That was really cold. It's
good for the muscles though. It cuts down on the swelling and makes them feel
better. Now !'m fed and bathed and relaxing. !'ll feed again in a few hours.
Then sleep in a real bed w/ a pillow. 41 miles.