Day: 4
Location: Eureka, CA
Miles Today: 302
Total Miles: 695
Departure (at last;) a reverse, a REVERSE and some adventures.
An apocryphal and ancient Chinese person (or maybe it was a fortune cookie fortune author from Bayonne,) is supposed to have said that a journey of ten thousand miles starts with a single step. True enough either way. What that person did not suggest is that the long distance traveler start by stepping backwards. The One Lap enterprise began with a drive north to Ashland, Oregon and reversed field on day 4 by returning south a couple hours on I-5 to Redding and then west on the Trinity highway (299) to Eureka and the Pacific. Our drive north on Hwy 1 will begin on Day 5 from Eureka.
This complication had the pleasant effect of allowing the Colonel to spend a few more hours in company with Mrs. Colonel Boot, something devoutly to be desired. The Colonel does and will miss her every moment he is away.
This reverse was planned. The second reverse was not. About two hours into a two month solo trip the Colonel hit a deer on lovely Hwy 299. This has never happened to him before and he does not recommend the experience. Certainly terminal for the deer, the event was merely unpleasant for the Colonel. He was able to drive away with the windshield and airbags intact; also the radiator, alignment and headlights. There is some nasty impact damage to the hood, which can probably not be opened without a pry bar. Since suicidal deer have been known to roll though the windshield during these events, our guardian angel did good.
Speaking of which, two German tourists in the trailing car very kindly stopped to be sure things were as well as could be. They too were shocked that there was no more damage than there was. Bless them.
The driver is always responsible whatever happens. On a clear, dry road, moving at moderate speed -- who's hurrying -- the Colonel never saw the deer before impact.
Once is enough, once is once too many, in fact.
Tomorrow a report on walking through Weaverville and dinner at the Samoa Cookhouse. And US 1 Northward
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