by Liz

Day’s mileage : 40

Running total : 1,202

Ascent : 3,968ft

Today was a day of coves, cows and more sunshine. We were on Highway 1 for most of the day and it was tranquil, meandering above the ocean and weaving inland. On the coast we crossed numerous bridges with views of turquoise coves with sand, surf and big rocks out at sea, cove after cove. Inland we passed cows with moos (today’s sound), cows with views and cows grazing on low-lying prairie meadows. 

Highlights were gorgeous vistas, amazing weather (blue sky, sunshine, temperature 12-13 degrees), a strong cold tailwind, good road surfaces, riding through a little town called Elk, three deer sightings, a red-winged blackbird glossy black with a ruby insertion in its wings, beautiful rows of trees lining the roads (who planted them?) and careful drivers. 

The best moment was seeing a little hummingbird hovering beside a tree as we stopped to scrutinise a dubious Komoot route up a gravel path. My second sighting on this trip (the first was at Nancy’s) and Philip and Cathy’s first. The route got a resounding no confidence vote. 

Lowlights are hard to find. Except Cathy encountered a creepy man outside the supermarket in Point Arena. 

For the past week or more my mantra has been don’t wish away a single mile. I did to begin with, worrying whether I had the energy for the afternoon’s miles. Now I savour every mile, even the ones at the end of the day. And yesterday and today I’ve been thinking don’t spend a single mile rushing, regretting or worrying. Not one. Every mile is for savouring and nothing else.

We are very touched by the number of friends and family who are following our blog. It means a lot to us to have your support, it feels like an extra tailwind. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the charities we are raising funds for.

Additional notes

Albion to Gualala, Mendocino county, CA

Left at 10.15am. Arrived at 4pm.

Weather: Sunny. Cold (12-13 degrees) with a strong tailwind. 

Landscape: Over yesterday evening’s huge bridge with amazing turquoise cove to the right. Several more bridges and turquoise coves with white surf and various shaped rock islands. Ocean to the right and meadows with hills beyond to the left. Not many homes on the ocean front, it was mostly unspoilt. Fields of cows. Point Arena. Alongside the turquoise, glistening ocean from Point Arena to Gualala. 

Towns: Elk, a sleepy town. Point Arena, a town with a real heart and community feel.

State roads: The 101 was quite busy but we lost much of the traffic after a junction with another road, after which it was very quiet.

Breakfast: Scrambled egg on toast. Banana, raspberries, yogurt and Bonnie’s granola.

Lunch spot: On a tree trunk at Manchester Beach overlooking sand dunes and a sliver of sea visible where it met the horizon. 

Dinner (P): Roasted veg with Mexican cheese, outside around the fire pit, rather cold so we didn’t linger. Strawberries, banana and yogurt. Tea and chocolate. 

Wildlife: Turkey vultures. Four deer. A red-winged blackbird (I loved those), glossy black with a ruby stripe on its wing. Another deer, this time with antlers. We read about the Point Arena mountain beaver who lives there and nowhere else in the world, and has existed for 50 million years. A little hummingbird hovered near a bush as we were examining the map part way up the gravel track. 

Plants: Wild iris. Scarlet pimpernel. 

Things we saw: Wonderful views while waiting at roadworks traffic lights. More lines of big old trees lining the road near to properties. The Catholic Church in Elk overlooked the ocean. A garage also in Elk built in 1901 and still a garage. The signs on trees in Point Arena that read ‘No human is illegal’ and ‘All lives have value’.

People we spoke to or saw: Three laden cyclists going in the opposite direction (into the headwind!), looked like a mum, dad and adult son, and we all waved enthusiastically. 

Incidents: A mix up over cheese in sandwiches and whether it had been randomly left in the fridge by a previous guest. A random man outside the grocery in Point Arena who asked C creepy questions. Komoot sent us up a gravel track to our accommodation but we smelt a rat – signs saying Private and the potential for unleashed dogs.

Shopping: Arena Market & Café, Point Arena. 

Accommodation: ‘Stairway to Heaven’, a loft above a big garage in the woods, very peaceful, every window looking out on trees. C slept in the eaves.

Today’s sound: Cows mooing from a distance

Today’s smell: The coffee shop in Point Arena grocery store.

Special moments: Thinking – don’t spend a single mile rushing, regretting or worrying. Savour every mile. Tea and cookies on arrival. 

Positive experience from my journal: Seeing the hummingbird. 

Appreciation from my journal: Taking myself for a dusk walk in the woods in pursuit of independence and adventure.

Blog comments from Jenny, Cathy Hingley and Lorna.

Video: Trees with signs at Point Arena (22s).

Mementos: Arena Market & Café receipt, Point Arena. Stairway to Heaven card.