California Coast 9-2007
We made it to San Francisco in time for lunch after a leisurly 120 mile ride. We met at Lauren's house. Our other daughter, Chelsea, and Lauren's 3 roommates were all there. We also had a surprise - our two niece's were in town visiting, and their Uncle Greg brought them to the city to visit for the day. We went to China town for Dim Sum - very good, walked around shopping, and then to a great Indian restaurant for some good curry, then checked into our B & B close to Golden Gate Park and UCSF Medical Center. We met early on Teusday and took the Metro into the city to Fisherman's Wharf. We just hung out, eating, shopping, and visiting, having a nice relaxing day - the only day on our trip we did not take the bike out. Here are some pic's from the two days in San Fran.
The first one is everbody at China Town. Check out those smiles - looks like we were having a good time. Tammy took the pic - she actually took most of the pics on this trip.(Top: Kyle - good friends and roomates with Lauren, Erin, and Jenny -, & I. Middle: Our two nieces - Rachael & Megan, our two daughters - Lauren & Chelsea. Bottom: Erin & Jenny)
My family at Fishermans Wharf:
The infamous seals at Fishermans Wharf:
Lauren is a Hair Dresser. We are very proud of her as she is just 20 and supporting herself having the time of her life. Here is where she works. It's called 'On Mars':
Here is where she lives:
Hippie Hill in Golden Gate Park complete with the famous drum line. This area has a unique smell in the air - somebody told me it smells like marijuana...
B & B where we stayed in San Fran:
Leaving the city - Golden Gate Bridge with the city and Bay Bridge in the background:
It was great to see our kids and friends, and sad to leave them, but we pulled out of San Fran Wed morning heading north on Hwy 1. The weather was nice and sunny - another beautiful day. The farther north you drive the more rugged the coastline and the more twisty the road gets. It took us 7 1/2 hours to travel 250 miles to our next stop at the Myers Country Inn in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park - this was a long day in the saddle. I have never seen so many 15, 20, and 25 mph corners. Sometimes you would get behind a slower cage and it might take you miles to find a place to pass. Even though it was a long day, it was a great ride up the coast to Fort Bragg, then over the mountains to Myers Flat.
The B & B we stayed at was very nice, with a wood deck overlooking the small town and redwoods, fresh cooked gourmet breakfast, and the owner, Rod, was nice and helpful. We met a nice couple from Australia visiting the USA for about 6 weeks. This place is highly recommended. You take the Avenue of the Giants road heading north from Hwy 101 to the B & B. On this road you go miles and miles passing HUGE redwood trees - it's amazing. The redwood trees in the following pics are all about 350 feet tall...
Tammy the tree hugger. This tree was about 360 feet tall - WOW...
Dyervill Giant: This tree was about 1600 years old until it fell 3-24-1991. It was the largest coast redwood tree at 370 feet tall, 17 feet in diameter, and 52 feet in circumference, and probably weighed over 1,000,000 pounds. You are looking at the root ball with the tree lying on it's side. The ranger told us when it fell, it sounded like a WWII destroyer big gun going off - I take it he was in the war...
We found a Bananna slug:
Looking up:
