flower on the roadside

Up at 6:05 am and didn’t feel like getting out of bed yet. Dad being on the computer bought me 15 minutes, then I showered, changed my camera battery, and brushed my teeth. We were ready to leave by 6:45 and with yesterday’s detour it was determined that we needed to get in some highway mileage today. We took the 99 towards Sacramento and then took Hwy 5 to Red Bluff. We headed west on the 36 and pulled over for lunch. 15 minutes later and we stopped again – this time to photograph a shoe tree.

our lunch time view

We stop in Patina for water, and then take an 11 mile detour into the Trinity National Forest looking for a vista point. We didn’t find an official sign for the vista point, but we found some good views after navigating past the fallen trees in the road that it looked like someone else had run over for us. We debated continuing on thinking we might hit a dead-end and cost ourselves more of the day, but it worked out. At the end of the road was a sign pointing us back to the 36W towards the town of Mad River.

close-up of the shoe tree

We reach the Redwoods by 4:00 pm and cover 30 miles in an hour and a half. We both want more time here – we always do, but there is more to be seen that is new to my eyes. We find beach and spend some time with our feet in the sand until a whale, that my dad has noticed, captures our attention. It may be a mother and her calf. We watch for a while as the spouting lump makes its way north too.

my pedis in the Pacific

Tonight’s resting stop will be Crescent City. I don’t know if it’s the season or the latitude, but the sun seems to keep the sky illuminated longer than I’m used to or maybe I don’t get outside enough. I’m not complaining. With all this extra sunshine I get to see more of what the day has to offer. I hop in the shower and turn the hot water to half heat – still enough to make my skin red. I was going to stay in there longer, but realized it was still bright out.

Dad enjoying the surf and sand

Dad stayed behind to Skype the wife. I walked across the street to the harbor to get some pictures of boats and water. There’s a lot more than that to see here, but I hear seals and I want to get closer. I walk to a couple dead-ends before finding the road that will bring me around. There are two floating docks covered in seals. There are feral cats chasing each other in the parking lot. There are a lot of fishermen/women on the rocks. I continue on and there is a small path leading up to a hill. On one side is the ocean and in the low tide I can see starfish in the pools.

beach near Redwoods

I hike up to the top and can get a good view of the city, the coast, and the lighthouse. I walk out on the jetty. Some parts are paved easing navigation, but the darkness grows when I reach the end. Luckily it’s near the Coast Guard shack and fisher’s pier so there is some light to help me back to land. Dad and I had discussed a warm meal, but couldn’t decide on anything earlier. I feel I’ve been gone long enough that he may have already eaten and I will have to fend for myself. All the restaurants I pass are closed. It’s 9:00 pm and I see a place with an alcohol sign on – the upstairs is still open.

fishing gear at the harbor

I walk inside Good Harvest Café and sit at the bar. I ordered a pint of Earth Thirst IPA (made by Eel River Brewing Co.) from Karen. It was so good that I debated getting another, but it seems I got the last of the keg. I order a veggie pasta that comes with garlic bread and a choice of soup – veggie. I ordered the carrot cake to go and made my way back to the room. My dad says the cake isn’t the best he’s ever had. Today’s fun has been had. I want to take another shower, but my full stomach tells me to sleep instead.