Basically our cue sheet today said turn left out of the hotel parking lot in Fort Bragg, go 60 miles, turn left into our hotel in Gualala, all on US 1.  I think only one truck passed me all day (it is Sunday), but there were plenty of cars.  For the most part, they were courteous, not crowding me on the road with little or no shoulder.

It was suggested we take a slight detour into Mendocino around mile 10.  Mary B and I took a bit longer detour, riding along the Mendocino Headlands State Park area before pedaling through the town.  Some stopped for coffee, but we continued on, meeting up with the sag near a Coastal Access spot, where divers were out, seemingly collecting crabs.

We crossed the Navarro River and rode into Elk.  I stopped briefly for a soda and to eat my PBJ before facing the big climb of the day:  16%.  I never walked; I stopped twice for photos and breaths before climbing back on the bike to complete the uphill.

Of course, around mile 45, I took a side trip to see the Point Arena Lighthouse – that was a bit of a challenge as the wind was quite blustery (20-30 mph) and mostly at my face for the two miles out to the lighthouse. This is the tallest lighthouse in California (151 ft) and the first to be built of concrete and reinforced steel (in 1908) – the previous brick one, built in 1870, was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake (the San Andreas fault is nearby).  The ride back to US 1 was more pleasant with mostly a tailwind.

Speaking of wind, we had a delightful tailwind much of the day, from NNW, but occasionally we would have a turn to the west and have to cross the wind – hang on tight!

All of the towns that we passed through today had populations less than 500, until Gualala, population 2,000.  The literature indicated it is an artsy community, but I have seen little evidence.

The marketing literature also mentioned coastal prairie and steep sea cliffs along this section of US 1 – I can vouch for both.  There were some small herds of cows in a few places, otherwise brown brush and crashing waves, and a lot of ups and downs.

Garmin:  66.87 miles, average speed 10.9 mph, 4364 ft ascent.

Problems with the internet; hopefully Relive and photos in the morning.