Roadside oddities.
We all see them now and again, or we may drive by them on a regular basis and never see the point of any of them.
That's sort of how this trip sort of started. Just go for a ride and camp overnight, see what I can find.
A strange breed of wild boar on Hwy 128 in Alexander Valley.
I hit the road a little later than I wanted to, but I was on the road no less. Hwy 101 to someplace new.
The timing of the late start screwed over the first plan of having breakfast in Hopland California at the Bluebird Inn. Moose had just told me about riding up there and having a meal and how good it was.
Guess that's another ride.
Onward up 101 to Garberville and top off with fuel for the next leg.
NOTE- For those of you wanting, or planning a ride out to this area, a little warning. Garberville is one of the "entrance points?" to the
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerald_Triangle.
A couple of other towns share this, and they seem to be on the Highways where the modern day hippies can hitchhike to, then get stuck. Weed is cheap on the street, and they all seem like "day workers" waiting to get hauled into the farms for a little extra cash working the harvest. But most just seem to panhandle enough spare change to buy some more smoke, survive, and wait for the next missed opportunity.
More on Triangle etiquette later.
Headed out Briceland Road toward Shelter Cove, and then turned north on Ettersburg Road. This changes into Wilders Ridge Road that continues on to Honeydew.
Now these were the roads I was looking for.
This area started to boom in the late 1800's from the logging trade. Camps and mills were made, lots of little roads and communities were formed, and people made it work.
They left behind great old buildings, some that are still being used today. When the logging industry started being downsized, and the remoteness of the area attracted some of the "growers" in the 1960's, a new boom started.
---More etiquette stuff here--- DON"T stop and start taking pictures of all the green houses and fences around compounds. Stay on main roads, and don't venture down what may be someones driveway. They are hard to tell apart sometimes.
I know of two people that "got lost" and had to explain that to the end of a barrel.
The Sheriff is a long way away. This is their land, respect it.
Next stop, Honeydew!
(stolen photo)
Rode past it at first, and then stopped at a Cal Fire station just past it for some local info.
Old fire department patches get swapped around, and I always carry some with me when traveling. Pulled off the helmet, introduced myself and whipped out a patch.
Immediately I was welcomed, given advice on the better county park to camp at, and warned of the weather at Mattole Point Beach campground. I asked about the market in the next town of Petrolia, and was told to go back a block to Honeydew and the market there. So I did to get some last minute supplies and cold beer after a long day riding.
Thank you to my CalFire brothers.
Rode up, killed the bike, pulled off the helmet again and was greeted by an old local asking about the bike. His buddy has an old BMW that "runs forever", and the stories started.
The third question from locals always seems to be "Whatcha doing back here?"
"Needed to get away and ride, seemed like a good place. Always wanted to ride Mattole Road." I stated.
Guess I gave the right answer, and didn't ask any questions.
Great little store with a great selection of basic dry & canned goods, and an awesome selection of north coast beer. Cup of noodles, cheese stick, and a Scottish Ale. (my digestive tract will hate me in the morning)
Next........... Camp.
