Update #20 - May 02, 2003
Rio Dell, CA - 3,140.4 miles (5,004.7 kms.)

The past week has been wet and cold along the coast. According to the weather reports on the radio, April has been twenty degrees colder than normal. There has been an area of low pressure that has been stuck over the ocean by the California - Oregon state line that has caused lots and lots of rain. It has still been a good ride along the coast on CA 1.
I spent a lot of nights camping in either state beaches or parks. For the most part, the camping fees was just two dollars a night. I stayed at Van Damme SP, Richardson Grove SP, and Humboldt Redwoods SP. The last two stays at state parks were during dry nights and I camped out in the California Redwoods.

The Methodist church in Point Arena helped me with a motel room. I was also given a free room at a small inn in Westport. Because of rain, I got a great home visit in the Mendocino area through the Presbyterian church.

People have been really helpful along the way. My campsite partner at Richardson Grove SP slipped me $20. He is cycling to Fairbanks, Alaska. Some campers at Humboldt Redwoods SP slipped me a few dollars along with some peanuts and apples. I got fooded out through my home visit in the Mendocino area. My food pannier got stuffed. It is a little hard traveling with at least twenty pounds of food.

Getting over Leggett Hill with it's three peaks north of Ft. Bragg and south of Standish-Hickey State Park went okay. It took me about six hours to ride and walk it. At least, this was on a dry day. Standish-Hickey SP was closed so I had to ride to Richardson Grove SP. Today, I finished up the Avenue of Giants (really tall and old California Redwoods in Humboldt State Park). I've got about five days left in Californai before crossing into Oregon.

I can say one thing and that is it is very hard to find any ministers in their offices on Mondays. When I got into Fort Bragg on Monday, I couldn't find one minister available to talk to. I wasn't even able to contact my contact.

I'll try to post an update as often as I can if there are any changes in my plans.