The split

The day started very well, we got up early, ate, and headed out. I had to stop in Fort Bragg to get some cash at the bank and when I came back our trip had changed.

Heidi wanted to go to Yukiah to visit a monastery she had seen years before. That would entail taking a train there because it was about 50 miles east. She decided and got on the train in like 15 minutes, George and I were dumbfounded and had no idea what to do. I tried to figure out a list of things we should give her in case of something but all I could think of was tools. George gave her his multitool.

I didn't stop her because I knew she could take care of herself. She was more able then both George and I combined. She had to go there for a reason that I do not want to talk about so I understood her decision to go. I just wished she gave us a better heads up than 15 minutes. I barely was able to get a hand wave before she left.

George and I rode on, it felt weird with only the two of us. We got to Mendocino State Park to see the best coast I've seen on this trip. I saw that something was eating up George.

We headed up further and he stopped me. He wanted to go back. About 5 miles back there was a highway heading to Yukiah. He was going to go back and try and find Heidi. He was worried about her, I think he thinks it is his fault she left. Well we traded gear really quick on the side of the highway and he was off. We shook hands, looked eachother in the eye. He went back.

So why didn't I go. One of the biggest regret I have with this trip is not doing it solo. But that wasn't the case at this moment. For me heading to Yukiah meant another day away from home. I can't explain it, I really want to get home. It is not the comfort, or the lack of responsibility, I really can't explain it. I need to get back and finish my med school application. I need to get back because I miss my girlfriend dearly.

This trip has brought a lot of light into me. And I feel like I'm finally ready to go back to the real world.

So folks, I'll be home in about 2-3 days. I'll be pushing myself fairly hard to get the miles in to get back home. Only 135 more miles baby and I'll be at home watching the Tour de France.

California

We finally made it to California. We had to go through an easy peezy fruit inspection at the border. All they asked was if we got any and I said no and on we went.

The route took us towards the countryside, trying to get away from 101. We hit Crescent city and prepared ourselves for a huge climb, 1300 ft, that was coming up in a few miles. We did it just fine, only took about 45 minutes, and then we had to prepare for another one after. Oh it was a long day, lots of climbing but we are done with it and thats that.

On the way down we stopped to check up on a cyclist that had a flat tire. His name is Brendan and he had just started. He is from Vancouver, BC and he doing the same exact route as us. I'm sure we''ll run into him lots.

On the way to the campsite, we had to go through this highway filled with redwood trees. It was probably the most amazing thing I've seen this trip. It was getting towards dusk and the fog was rolling in. It complemented the mysterious and old trees perfectly. We rode through that forest so slow that Brendan had caught up and passed us. I took so many pictures but none of them did the trees any justice.

The campsite was alright, lots of mosquitoes. We were a bit too tired to do anything with all those climbs so we just went to sleep after hiking around in a big circle.

Back to reality

Getting up with the smell of bacon and eggs was wonderful. I'm sure all of us had forgotten what it was like to wake up without a sense of duty. All of George's friends, and ours too, had cooked breakfast for us. Then they all pushed us out of the campsite so they can take pictures of us as we rode along the highway.

It was a fairly easy ride. Nothing much happened and the scenery was the same the whole way down, beautiful. After looking at constant beautiful coastlines and beaches, I started to feel as if everything was the same. I wanted to get to the California border as quickly as I can but we had to make a stop at Harris beach, 7 miles from the border.

The campsite was great and we saw our friends Kelly and Matt. We also met an older touring crowd, David and Richard. They were heading the same way too.

Night came in quickly but we were able to make it out to the beach for the sunset. The setting of the sun marks the end of the day but I just don't understand what is so great about it. People were practically lining up at the beach to watch it. Right after it was finished, I mean immediately right after, people just got up and left. I just don't understand.