Sunday, August 18, 2013

North from Crescent City, CA

Last Friday I tried to get an early start.  My alarm rang at its usual time 5:45am and I rushed to get packed up.   Lit up my MSR Whisperlite stove to start coffee and try as I might, I left a bit later than planned.  I had wanted to leave by 7am, but I was half an hour late


It started to rain a bit while I was riding up Hwy 101 but today was going to be a short day,  only a 7 hour day to get to my next home for the night


Since I was not in a rush today,  I stopped to enjoy the foggy view


There was still a chill in the air and the heat had not burned the fog layer yet.   We are still on the Northern California coast, North of Crescent Cith but south of the Oregon border.    If I had more time I should have dipped my toes in the cold ocean water, just to say I did.


Most viewpoints are gravel but when I noticed  a paved pull out I stopped again to admire the ocean waves


and farther ahead there was the classic layering of the fog shrouded mountains in the distance.  This day I decided to treat myself to a sit down breakfast instead of my usual breakfast sandwich in a little place called Port Orford


My stomach must have shrunk as I could not finish the pile of hashbrowns and there was so much bacon I had to force myself to not waste any

By the time I reached Oregon the sun started to shine and the mist was lifting to reveal a brightening day.  Here is one of my first views of the Oregon Coast


There are many historic bridges along the coast as you head north


The ride was uneventful and I eventually reached Florence, OR and headed West towards Eugene to avoid the tourist traffic.   Little did I realize at the time that there was a big surprise waiting for me if I had continued north of Florence  .  .  .


18 comments:

  1. Beautiful foggy photos. Next time you'll have to swim in both oceans but that could be on your driving trip.

    What a cliffhanger. What did Bob miss north of Florence? Hmmm…

    Someone rode out to meet you?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As to your - 'did someone ride out and meet you' comment. Brad could tell you quite a story when he has time to blog it. I was the sensible one staying home tracking the two of them like a child tracking Santa on NORAD. It was like a train wreck, I couldn't watch and I couldn't look away. The theme from Bennie Hill should have been playing in the background........

      Delete
    2. That;s funny! Looking forward to the story. It was a shot in the dark guess based on Brad having Friday off...

      Delete
    3. Richard:

      I'm waiting for the story too. I waved at a few motorcyclists heading south and I think I may have waved to Brad too, but didn't recognize him as I wasn't expecting to see him.



      Delete
  2. Nice pics. The foggy ones remind me of some I got of bad weather coming to meet me on a ride down the South Island's West Coast. We rode straight into the weather and got soaked...

    At least it was only fog and cleared up nicely for you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew:

      It started out as mist, then it started to rain but shortly after it stopped and the sun came out. It wouldn't be the first time that I have had to ride all the way home from Oregon in the rain

      Delete
  3. Bob, You pack an alarm clock on a road trip? Wow, I don't even ring a watch.

    I rode up 101 once but it was clear that day. It would be neat to see it all foggy.

    How did the Pilot Road 2 tires hold on your trip?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Erik:

      I bought a small alarm clock so I could get on the road at 8am every day. my bike also has a clock but I didn't want to keep changing the time. I thought it would be easier to change the time on my alarm clock

      The Pilot Road2's are going flat from all the interstate riding. There is now a ridge on both front and rear tires. Other than that, the tire still has lots of tread left

      Delete
  4. Excellent! I loved Port Orford... Aw heck, I loved the whole coast.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lucky:

      the coast would be better with less tourists whom slow the traffic. I was just trying to make time and get where I wanted to be so I turned left at Florence

      Delete
  5. There is nothing better than a sit-down breakfast at some local diner. I'm glad you didn't waste any of that bacon.

    I am impressed with your ability to take pictures as you ride. I am too fearful. Any tips for wielding a bike and camera at the same time?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David:

      hope you had a good trip too.

      I started to have a sit down meal to relax rather than eating fast food all the time and try to have a more nourishing meal

      I like to snap photos but there is not always a place to stop, and also many times you have to make a U-turn and come back, or slam your brakes on to stop in time for the photo. I thought it was just easier to shot whilst riding. Saves time but you have to be careful.

      Firstly I have a camera where the lens does not extend, plus it is shockproof and waterproof and it is tethered so if I have to drop it fast, I can do that without damaging the camera. Just make sure you can operate the controls with only your left hand. I don't understand why they don't make a left handed camera for riders like us

      Delete
  6. Can't wait to hear the story ... of what might have happened (sounds like the surprise was on Brad :(. Glad you made it home. Nice foggy coastal pics.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen:

      I'm waiting for the story too.

      I like foggy photos too. You have to overexpose them a bit so the fog doesn't look gray.

      Delete
  7. Bob, not the post I was expecting, and now I find there's a further post no one could have expected. The whole thing is beautifully foggy, just like that beautiful shot of the fog shrowded coast.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David:

      earlier it was misty and a bit of fog on Hwy 101 so I was worried that I wouldn't be seen. then it rained for about an hour. The day started cold but later in Corvallis it was humid hot, in the mid 80's or higher

      Delete
  8. BTW, "West towards Eugene" would've been the really long way 'round.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Richard:

      I nearly did ride to Eugene, then I had to ride north back towards Corvallis, so it felt like the long way 'round

      Delete