Day 14 Standish-Hickey Recreation Area to Van Damme State Park, CA

Untitled

Seattle to San Francisco

Day 14 Standish-Hickey Recreation Area to
Van Damme State Park, CA

Shannon, Cathy and I left Standish-Hickey around 8:30 a.m. It had rained that night and it was raining again by the time we got to the base of Leggett Hill at the Junction of Routes 101 and 1. Here is what the guidebook has to say about Leggett Hill:

Leggett Hill

"Cyclists talk about Leggett Hill up and down the coast increasing its proportions as they go. Contrary to popular rumor abandoned touring bags do not line the road, nor are there graves of cyclists who did not make it."

We heard lots of talk about Leggett Hill. But it is really was an easy climb. Shannon blew past us on the summit of Leggett Hill and I have not seen him since.

Back on the Coast

Following Leggett Hill, we climbed Rockport Hill. Then we emerged back on the California Coast.

Tom and Cathy

Cathy and I rode to Westport where we got lunch. I felt strong and needed to do some big mileage to keep my schedule. Cathy was having an off day and was having some knee pain. We agreed that it was time for us to go our separate ways. We stopped one last time for photos. We said our good byes, and I rocketed ahead. I really enjoyed riding together, talking about touring, jobs, family, life, etc. I added Cathy to this distribution list so that she can follow the rest of my trip. Cathy, I want email as you continue on to San Diego.

I received several emails and a post card that Cathy sent from San Diego when she completed her trip.

I rode on alone to Fort Bragg. 20 Years ago I spent the longest year of my life at at. Bragg, NC. Just the name of the place gave me the hebe jebees. I did stop at a Laundromat and put some clothes in the dryer. Once that chore was finished, I resumed my journey South.

I picked up groceries in Mendocino. This was an up scale town. However, I did see a few druggie types that looked like characters in a Cheech and Chong movie. They really stood out amongst all the yuppies. I picked up chicken, fresh corn and pasta salad.

California Coast

I got to my campsite showered and started cooking supper. It started raining as I was cooking. I ate in the pouring rain and never felt more content in my life. This simple meal seemed like a feast. I began to reflect on why I love bicycle touring.

In a lot of ways, bicycle touring is like life in fast-forward. People come in and out of our little world. Most are nice. Some are mean. We work and sweat and watch surroundings change. We confront the unexpected. We face dangers and fears. Somehow we overcome them too. Right now its raining and I am hunkered down in my tent typing this message. But the rain won't last forever. Eventually the rain will end and this tour and our lives will go on.

I hope these ramblings make sense to someone besides me.

Today's total is 61 miles.

Continue to Day 15