Apparently AT&T could care less about the northern coast of California. Even in Fort Bragg, the biggest town around, I barely had connection.
Here’s the short version of the last few days.
Tuesday: Arcata to Benbow/Richardson Grove State Park. It was hot but I rode 98 miles / 158 km. It took a looooong time. My map sent me through the industrial part of Eureka, a very historic looking small town called Fernbridge, a very hippy place called Garberville. Most significantly I rode the 30 or so miles of the Avenue of the Giants. HUGE trees for almost all of it. Amazing. This was all inland. I camped in a hiker/biker spot with Tony and Cathy from Minneapolis. They are great. Tony in particular is very funny.
Yesterday I rode to Russian Gulch state park near Mendocino, 130km. My day started with what I thought would be a punishing 1000+ ft climb in the heat. Maybe I have grown some climbing legs because it was no problem and took under an hour. Then there was a sweet downhill and a few hours later I was back on the coast on HWY 1. I rode a few miles on a beach trail that was pretty spectacular. Another hiker biker spot for the night with the Minnesota couple and some other bikers.
I am writing this from a cafe in Elk. Hoping to make it to Salt Point State Park tonight.