Safe Return Doubtful

49 miles (79 km) – Total so far: 1,354 miles (2,179 km)

Distance 49 miles (79 km) Time riding 4 hours 23 minutes Max speed 35.8 mph Average speed 10.9 mph Left at 8:10 am Arrived at 2:45 pm

Many of the villages on the Avenue of the Giants and 101 are feeling the economical downturn. It could be for them that because of the fires and the drought it is worse. Many cafes and motels have closed down and many houses have been abandoned. It is the end of the season now also, some schools returned on Monday and the rest will return next week. The campgrounds are at about 30% occupancy; some people returning after long road trips, and foreigners who do not have the necessity to get back to work so soon.

This morning was the remainder of the ride on the Avenue of the Giants, no big hills and the huge redwoods ensuring shade from a clear sky and a hot day. After a coffee at Miranda it was back on to 101 for some miles to Garberville. It has been surprisingly difficult in the last 3 days to get internet access here, and I resorted to hitching into to someone else’s signal while in the shade in a fuel station. The cafes didn’t have it. Garberville is the biggest place for some distance.

The late morning then brought hills, the biggest yet along the coast, up and down to 250 meters from 100 metres quite regularly. Since Rio Dell the route has been following the Eel River upstream.

Garberville

Tacky roadside entertainment – the legend itself is an interesting one, and I believe it is based on actual people – or bigfoots

Still following the Eel River

Drinks break at the end of the Avenue of the Giants

The State Park camping is across the road from the Peg House – an excellent reputation and very good food and draught beers including Lagunitas IPA