3-days of Rain

After a night in Redding and a day to do laundry and wash Sally, we made it to Patrick's Point State Park via California Highway 299 - the start of our California Coast journey.



















The nice man at the park entrance said we should expect soaking rain overnight.





It's Sunday - and still raining. Darn, the nice man at the park entrance was right. We woke up to muddy, muddy ground, but thankfully, we were dry!






Despite the rain, we decided to hike the 2-mile Rim Trail. We got soaked... even with our nice raingear... completely soaked! We were able to hide in a park bathroom and change into some dry clothes - whew!


With rain expected for the next 3 days, we've decided to travel a few miles south to Arcata, grab a hotel to shower and wash and air-dry our soaked tent.

It's Monday - and it's still raining! Thankfully, there was a break in the raindrops today, so we drove Highway 101 north to Trinidad to search for 2 lighthouses. (We found a memorial lighthouse, but were unable to access the 2 we were originally searching for.)


















Sally the Subaru led us to Samoa Sand Dunes Recreation Area - a windy wonderland of waves, a Coast Guard Station, and enchanting trees.





We dropped off our sleeping bags at a well-known laundry mat that safely washes down bags. We figured it was time to wash them, since we've been sleeping in them for the last 2 months.



I'm writing this from a small coffee shop, Cafe Mokka, in Arcata, CA. It is also a Finnish Country Sauna & Tubs. I'll have to look it up and see what that's all about... It's a busy place - the employees know the customers by name, and they have a cat without a tail! (it is California...)

Click here for more info on Cafe Mokka and the Finnish Sauna & Tubs.




I really like these little coastal towns. They have such character - and the folks are unique - and real.

Humboldt State University is here - bringing a nice youthful blend to the community - and that funky college town vibe we are drawn to. I spotted this house from Highway 101, so we drove around searching for it.


The quotes on the wave are:

"Nothing great has ever been achieved without enthusiasm." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"A wave of creative energy, and all you have to do then is ride the wave." - Eckhart Tolle

"Aloha Friends, I invite you to surf the wave of enthusiasm that is within you, and to use this enormous power inside you to inspire and touch the lives of others." -Jesse Kaono Wedemeyer





I love it - and it looks like the neighbors love it, too!

It's our last night in a hotel. The forecast looks slightly cloudy for the next few days, but no rain. We are anxious to camp again. We don't want to blow our hotel budget in the first month of our year-long trip, plus we like the great outdoors!


Next stop: The Lost Coast, Avenue of Giants, and a 10-mile bike ride in Fort Bragg.