Avenue Of The Giants

Monday, July 16, 2007 - Day 25

Distance Traveled - 34 miles

Today was the first day really back on the 101. It's much different than the 1. First of all, I am much further inland now. There is really now sign of the Pacific. That makes me sad, but I know I will return within a few days. The road is much bigger and much faster. So far there has been a decent shoulder for most of it, but there were times with no shoulder at all. Trucks zip by at 70mph. That is scary.

The beginning of the day wasn't anything too special. Left camp around the usual time. There are plenty of trees now along the road, which is nice, but they are not right over the road and therefore do not provide shade. It was a bit hot. So I cruised up the 101 for some miles until I got to the turnoff for the Avenue of the Giants, which I have been looking forward to for quite some time. This is the road that winds through the Redwood groves and hopefully lives up to its name. It didn't start out amazingly. There were few Redwoods and only trees on one side. It doesn't help that the river is all but dried up. After a few miles, though, there were some patches of amazing forest. These behemoths tower above you. Some of them are literally right next to the road. You can reach out your arm and touch them as you go by. I rolled through at a leisurely pace, trying hard to take in everything. Finally I came to a point where I just had to stop and dismount the bike. I found the biggest tree I have seen so far, up close, at least. It is hollowed out at the bottom; looks like there has been some fire through there. I had to take some pictures. Then I just sat and admired the giant and those around it. I thought about how long it had been growing and what will happen one day when it falls over. I tried to imagine what kind of life it has had over the many years - the animals that have lived in it, interactions with people. I really felt like writing a poem, so I did. Maybe I'll share it later. I haven't read it since I wrote it earlier today. I really savored every moment I spent with this tree. Before I left it, I had to stand inside it. That really was an awesome feeling. I found it intimidating to be standing inside something living that is so big. I'm sure there are many bigger to come. I've only traveled a short part of the avenue.

Now I am staying with Eddie and Margaret, the sister and brother-in-law of my old neighbor Liz, who lived a few doors down from my apartment in L.A. She gave me their number before I left, and I thought it would be nice to stay with some people now, since I have mostly been camping for a while. They are very nice and interesting. Their property was built as a little motel, but I guess it was never used as that. So there are a couple little units with garages, and there is a trailer on the property where Margaret's daughter lives. I am sleeping in the back house, which is used as a work room and has mold. It's not too bad. I had a shower, I have a warm place to sleep, Eddie cooked a tasty dinner, and I get to plug in my appliances.

I think tomorrow I'm going to do some work for them to earn some cash. I'll be trimming down some pretty wild grass and brush in the back. It's not a huge area, but the brush is almost 2 feet tall, I suppose, and thick at parts. It won't be really easy, but shouldn't put up too much of a load. This is good. I am in need of some extra money now. Since I payed my phone bill (which was ridiculous last month) and my credit card bill, I ended up having less money than I thought. It's all good, though. I had planned on trying to find some day labor along the way. I'll try to find more as I contine on. I gotta be ready for the road ahead and whatever it may bring. Plus, who knows where I'll be going after this adventure is done?





















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