Tuesday, October 9, 2012 82 miles 4,700 ft of climb

Two miles out from the hotel on Hwy101 we started a 6-mile climb.  It would level out a little and then start up again!  Within the first 37 miles we had climbed 4,200 ft!  Yes, it was beautiful.  We rode through the Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, as well as the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.  The Redwood trees were huge - wide and tall!  I would guess that some of them were 150 ft or more!

We also saw herds of wild Elk.  These were not far away in some field, they were right next to the road.  I did not realize how big they were.  Being so close was really a thrill! 

After 50 miles we turned off 101 onto Patrick's Point Drive, which was a relatively quieter road.  Mike and I stopped at the second Sag stop at the 60 mile and had a soup lunch.

The next 20 miles were a combination of back roads (part of it with gravel), the Hammond Coastal Trail bike path, which had some uphill gravel, and roads that circled the Humboldt Bay toward our destination of Eureka.

After some interviewing, Nancy determined that our average age comes to 63 in this group.  We have 6 over 70, 7 in their 50's, 2 in their 40's and the rest in their 60's!

Dinner tonight was kind of sad.  It was the last meal we would have with Patty Jackson who had to leave the tour to take care of a house sale at home.  We all signed a card, and Sheila led us in a rendition of "This Land is Your Land."  Then she read a poem to Patty that Sheila had been working on for days.  It was great!  I took a video of Sheila and Patty as the "Ode to Patty" was read to the group.  (As soon as I figure out how to get it on the blog, I will put it at the end of the photos.)  There were tears, hugs and well wishes as we all said out good byes to Patty.