06.15 - avenue of the giants

slept late today, muscles were sore from the last two days.  enjoyed just lying there.  didn't get up till i heard the other cyclists stirring.   the slow leak i had on the rear tire was getting worse.  sound familiar? so i finally took the time to change that tube.  then packed up.  i checked on suzi, she had boarded her flight to portland.  our vectors were converging.

said goodby to the others, who were all heading south, and rolled out onto rte 101, now joined by rte 1, the coastal highway.  and that's when i realized my front brake was gone, the cable frayed.  one more thing on the list.  after putzing with it, i realized i couldn't fix it.  with no bike shop along the way till after i meet suzi, i was just going to have to survive on the rear brake alone.  doable, just needed to be cautious on the downhills.  at least the tires were holding air.  80 miles and 2 days to go before meeting up with suzi.

i followed rock creek and the eel river into the redwoods.



rolling along, i found myself suddenly on a narrow two lane section of road, curving through giant redwoods.  coastal redwoods, to be exact.  tallest trees on earth.  it was awesome.  i had to stop to take it in.  it's a full sensory experience, pictures don't do it justice, one has to feel it.  one thing i've come to learn is that redwods and seqoyahs come in groves, so the experience is in pockets.  but it was a foretaste of what was to come.


after lunch in garberville, i quickly reached the avenue of the giants.  and it was an initial disappointment.  there was the entrance sign, but no trees.  guess i expected immediate awe.  as it turned out, it took 5 miles or so before humbolt state park actually started.  and then the groves started coming in a more consistant manner.


got a hiker/biker camp spot at the otherwise full campground, cycling has its priveledges.  settled in before 3 o'clock, still plenty of time.  i took a walk and a nap with the giants.  


checked on suzi, who was apparently made it in fine and was too busy 'chatting' with diane and matt, no time to do other than exchange a couple of texts with me.  i look forward to seeing her tomorrow at the eel river brewery.  40 miles away.

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