Eureka, CA to Brookings, OR

This morning we started out with only 4 of us - Ken, Joyce, Connie and myself.  The other 4 - Patrick, Kim, Gary and Lulu headed to the Harley Dealer as Patrick and Lulu’s bike has some issues on the last leg of the ride yesterday.

Our first stop on the ride was to head to Patrick’s Point.  The four of us took the route as it was planned out but needless to say California is subject to landslides.  The first turn off that was available to go to Patrick’s Point was a small road that follows the coast which had at least three landslides which were obviously recently as the road was fixed but still very rough gravel which we did hesitate to go down - but we did survive.  LOL.  

Patrick’s Point was not a disappointment that is for sure.  We had some time to kill as the big landslide part of the main highway 101 was still under construction and actually was closed until noon today.  So we paid to tour around the park both by bike and by foot.  We walked out to the actual Patrick’s Point and what a site to see.  Very nice - a little foggy but overall it was very nice to see the waves crashing against the rocks.  Ken and Connie walked out to the Wedding Rock which Joyce and I stayed back and took pictures from our end of them across the water overlooking the rock.

Next up was Prairie Creek Park where there was another walk to go to see the Trillium Falls Trail.  As we were walking down the trail we came across a family that had a young boy and he said they were very small.  LOL.  We thought oh well maybe he had high expectations.  So we continued on and it was a small trail through the trees and up hill most of the way until we got near the end where it went downhill to the waterfall.  

Well he was right the falls were small but still beautiful in the middle of the forest.  We met several people on the trail and we shared our great knowledge on how to do a panoramic photo that starts at the bottom of the trees and pans up to the top of the trees.  Well let me tell you - they were just as thrilled as we were when we learnt that trick.  

From Prairie Creek Park we decided to ride to the construction in hopes that it would not be so backed up and since it was past 12:00 the road was to be open.  We only had to wait maybe 20 minutes and it was out turn to go on the one way road to the end of the construction.  WOW is all I can say - to see the devastation that the landslide can do and the work that will continue to be done for months to come to clear the road and re-stabilize the road is crazy!  My GoPro was out of battery and I did not get pictures but trust me they are going to be there awhile.

On the way to our lunch destination we finally saw some elk that were grazing on land in front of a mobile home park.  My word the elk are truly amazing looking animals.  It was a site to see for me as they are very majestic looking.

Lunch was at the Chart Room in Crescent City.  We were told we probably would have to wait at least an hour to get seated but the young lady at the desk said it was worth the wait.  So we waited.  While we were waiting we heard from the rest of the group that they were in Crescent City and was getting gas.  Awesome - so we changed our booking from 4 to 8 for lunch.  We were all able to catch up on the updates on the bikes when they arrived and as we were waiting to get seated for lunch.  Well - lunch was worth the wait!!  Delicious fish and chips!  Joyce is still celebrating her birthday so she got free desert which was a cheese cake so yes we all shared a bit - WOW!

After lunch we headed to the California/Oregon border and stopped to take pictures of our group.  Then headed into Brookings which was not far away at all.  A great hotel - Westward Inn is very clean and is next door to a laundromat.  We gathered there to get some washing done and to review where we are going tomorrow.  We met some interesting characters too while we were at the laundromat.  All friendly but all were obviously living as they saw fit but just like us - they were cleaning their clothes and one guy a new to him sleeping bag that he found.  

Tonight - Ken, Joyce, Patrick, Kim, Connie and I played a card game called the “3 blind mice”.  Lots of fun.  Hopefully I can remember how to play so that we can play when I get home.  Tomorrow we head off to Tillamock, Oregon where there is a great Creamery.  Can’t wait!