Trip to Trinidad

[Ben70_imp]

I used the excuse having the eye doc in Eureka follow up check and cleaning the carpet in the 5th wheel to run over to Trinidad, where I spent most of the summer sans CB.
Left Chico 8-ish Monday and went south to pick up Highway 20 west, where once out of the valley the road gets nicely twisty through grassy oak strewn hills.

Soon I arrived at the east end of Clearlake and stopped to fill up and grab a snack before continuing along the north shore of the lake.
It's quite scenic and there was light traffic as we are getting out of tourist season. Started bucking a head wind which continued for the rest of the day.
Continued west to 101, then north as the oak woodland gradually gave way to conifers, and redwoods became more profuse. The highway was mixed 4 lane and 2 lane, quite pleasant with light traffic. Stopped at something called the peg house for a hot dog and Gatorade. Ended up getting beat up by the headwind and was glad to get to Eureka, then on to Trinidad where my opulent borrowed 5th wheel awaited. 310 miles and I was pooped.
Tuesday got up, cleaned carpet, saw the eye doc, and took a few local pics.
Fish camp

Scenic but non functional lighthouse. The town of Trinidad is behind me, Trinidad Head is the mound in the distance and the harbor is between here and the Head.

This morning, headed back via 299. A fire tore through a few weeks ago and destroyed some small resorts, homes and businesses along the Trinity River. Didn't get any good shots on the way home, the ride was alternately great, with hardly any traffic (because of highway construction) or crummy and slow for the same reason. Ended up getting to Redding, then south to home. 310 miles over, 234 back and a little pooping around over there for 559 round trip. Bike ran great and got lots of compliments.

Ben

[Cormanus]

Great report, Ben.. The bike is indeed looking compliment worthy. Nice looking coast too.

[GaryMNM_imp]

Very nice, looks like a great outing and clear skies. I usually end up hitting the overcast sky when I've been along the central and northern coast.

I couldn't tell from the pic's, is that some type of backrest set up you have or just an additional bag/pack?

Either way thanks for sharing and taking us along Ben, nice pic's and write-up.

[use2b_imp]

looks like fun , i love the coast and scenery you guys post so thanks.
nice looking ride also Ben

[Ben70_imp]

Hey, GaryMNM, that is a camera backpack made by Manifrotto. I like it because it fits nicely on the OEM rack and the contour sort of mimics the tank shape. It is a bit different from a regular backpack in that it is well padded, and the bottom(or front, mounted as it is) can be separated with a zippered internal flap and has a six-pack container looking divider in it for lenses I suppose. All of which gives it structural integrity so it doesn't look like a flat beach toy if all you have in it is sunglasses and chapstick. Or you can remove all that and just stuff it full. It shows up on their website as Advanced Camera/Laptop backpack Active 1. Good for daytrips. I found it at Costco around Christmas last year for about $50. Lists for twice that on the website.
Re. the sunny skies, now through the end of October is a great time to visit the north coast. Of course, anything can happen.
A few bonus pics...



Ben

[GaryMNM_imp]

Ahh, now I can see it. More great pic's, thanks and thanks for the bag feedback.

Here's a couple cases in point. This was a tad further north of your run, Crescent City, Battery Point vicinity. Brisk, damp, still nice but no popping colors due to lack of sunshine.

[Ben70_imp]

Still, that's a nice shot! There is a lot to be said about the aesthetics of fog. Just don't try to say it to a sailor trying to find his way into a foggy harbor.

Ben

[Cormanus]

Oh, gee, don’t talk about the aesthetics of fog to a motor cycle rider working his or her way through an early morning pea soup number. The moisture gradually accumulates in your visor ‘till you’re quite blind and won’t blow off as easily as rain, in part because you can’t ride quickly enough. A couple of the more difficult rides I’ve had have been in fog.

Having got that rant off my chest, I can now confess to agreeing with you about how pretty Gary’s photos are.