Day 9: Brookings, OR to Eureka, Calif.

We departed from Brookings, Oregon to Eureka, California along the iconic Highway 101 a day filled with breathtaking scenery and unforgettable experiences in the way of many hills to climb and Gregg gutting it out with his sore leg. Starting in Brookings, we were greeted by the fresh ocean breeze and the sight of rugged cliffs meeting the Pacific Ocean. The route took us through charming Crescent City, where along the road we saw several large elk in a field and passed the Battery Point Lighthouse. This is an active lighthouse that serves as a private aid to navigation. Its oil lamps were first lit on December 10, 1856. Lighthouse keepers still reside there.

We rode through quaint villages like Klamath, Trinidad and Orick which consisted of mostly farm lands. The route also presents numerous opportunities for wildlife sightings, from bald eagles soaring overhead to seals basking on the rocks along the shoreline.

As we pedaled further south, we were treated to panoramic views of towering redwood forests that line the highway, offering a sense of peace and tranquility as we rode through these majestic giants. The scent of pine filled the air, and the dappled sunlight filtering through the fog filled canopy created a magical ambiance that is unique to this part of the country. Redwood National and State Park is home to the tallest trees on Earth. The Parks also protect vast prairies, oak woodlands, wild rivers, and 40 miles of rugged coastline.

Entering Eureka, we were greeted by the Victorian architecture of this charming city, with its well-preserved historic buildings including our hotel, the Eureka Inn which is a well maintained historic building with beautiful paintings of many famous people who have stayed at the hotel over the years (Nancy Regan, Shirley Temple, Walt Disney, etc.).

It was a long day of riding with many stops for Gregg to give his sore leg a break, but he endured both the ride and the pain and made it to Eureka. The ride today totaled 106.39 miles with 6,197 feet of climbing in 7 hours and 37 minutes with an average speed of 14 mph.

We wrapped up the day with a casual dinner at a nearby steakhouse, or more accurately, a neighborhood bar. The food was decent. As we strolled back to the hotel, we made a pit stop at Living The Dream Ice Cream by the harbor, where we enjoyed yet another stunning sunset.