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 Monday,
June 21
Crater Lake National
Park, OR to Prairie Creek Redwoods
State Park, CA
233 miles
We drive north along the
west side of Crater Lake along towering snow banks. The higher east
road is still snowed in. There is a considerable chill in the air as we ride
the dry, two lane road between the snow banks and those of us with
heated vests have them cranked up. Anyway, we stop
several time to gaze at the lake and take photos. The scale and
beauty of Crater Lake are simply astounding.
We emerge from the north
gate of the Park and head southwest on Highway 230 for a delightful
cruise through the sunlit forest. We pick up Highway 199 in Grants
Pass, Oregon and continue our southwest journey to the Pacific Ocean
and the Redwoods. Scott, Joe and Eric arrive in Cave Junction,
Oregon before the others and spot a book store and coffee shop on
the main street. We make a beeline for it as Pablo, Pork Chop and
Uncle Bob roll into town. After espresso and some huge, fresh baked,
chocolate chip cookies that are so big and dense that you'd hurt
someone if you threw one at them, we come out looking for the guys.
It takes about 10 seconds to figure it out. A big sign outside the
Red Garter Saloon stating "Bikers Welcome" clues us in. We find them
resting inside in air conditioned comfort.
Refreshed, we continue on
Highway 199 and once we cross into California, the riding really
picks up as the road twists and turns through the hills and forests.
The best of all is the road between
Jedediah Smith
Redwoods State Park and Crescent City. With continuous twisties,
perfectly paved and banked through the redwood forest, it is an
absolute treat.
At Crescent City, we head
south on Highway 101 down the coast. We set up camp in the
Prairie
Creek Redwoods State Park. That evening, we dine at the world famous Palm Cafe in Orick.
The rib eye steaks are superb and the waitress talks us into some homemade pie heated up with ice
cream. Wow! They take real good care of us. We head back to camp
with full, happy tummies and enjoy a relaxing evening around the
campfire at the edge of the redwood forest.
Click here for Day Four: The
Trinity Alps
Click here to return to the
California Cruise ride summary. |
