Pacific Coast, Day 16: Arcata, CA to Rio Dell, CA

Until I reached the charming town of Ferndale, about 33 miles in, today’s ride was a pretty uninteresting mix of multi-use trails and noisy, but comfortable, US 101 highway.

Ferndale bears striking similarity to Georgetown, Colorado, the town I grew up in as an adolescent. There are so many beautifully maintained Victorian buildings, and if you put Georgetown, Colorado and Ferndale, California end-to-end, it would be a challenge to pick out where each started.

While I was looking for a place to get lunch, a worker struck up a conversation with me from across the street, and I told him Ferndale looked like the town I grew up in. He asked where that was, and I told him Georgetown, Colorado. He said, “Oh, I know Georgetown – I lived in Northern New Mexico!” I said “I AM FROM TAOS, NEW MEXICO!” So then I crossed the street and we talked for a few minutes. Sadly, I forgot to get a picture.

Nothing else to report, but tomorrow I will start heading through the best part of the redwoods!