The Breakfast Club: Patrick's Point Camp-out

Saturday–Sunday, 15–16 Aug 2015

Pictures start here

Markus writes:

We met at Marvin’s in Novato on Saturday morning 7:30 am. That proved a bit more difficult than it should have been since that section of Grant Ave. was blocked off due to a classic car show that coincidentally happened to be on that Saturday. Breakfast was great though and well worth the extra wait for a table. After breakfast we took 101 north to Cloverdale. From there we took Hwy 128 over to the coast and then North on Hwy 1 to Fort Bragg where we stopped for lunch at the usual place. Off the freeway Tom and I took the lead while Carl followed at a more mellow pace not trying to pass RVs and other slowpokes as much as Tom and I did. So it wasn’t a big surprise that we arrived at the lunch destination a bit earlier which gave Tom the opportunity for a quick power nap on the lawn.

After lunch we headed north on Hwy 1 until it met back up with 101 at Legett. The next hour was a bit uncomfortable with high temperatures and haze cause by the wildfires until we reached Scotia where it started to cool down again just as Tom had predicted. Not much to do from there but follow 101. Through Eureka we used the “Tom Bypass” by the golf course to Old Arcata Rd. which is much nicer than going through downtown traffic. Since it was already getting late, we decided to head to the campground first, set up camp and then go for dinner and essential supplies. At the campground they tried to turn us away because they were full. Luckily Tom had made a reservation and we were all set after a bit of discussion if we could have three license plates attached to a single campsite. The ranger apparently wasn’t familiar with the state park policy regarding motorcycles. This was all the more surprising after I found a camp site with several sportbikes and a support truck. Camp set up was quick and we headed right out for dinner. At the park entrance we asked the rangers for advice regarding dinner in nearby Trinidad and they recommended a burger place. Other than that there didn’t seem to be much in Trinidad and McKinleyville would be our next option. But Tom and Carl had been to a place called “Seascape” which looked like a decent alternative. Spectacular views (see pictures) and the dinner was really good justifying the extra expense. Of course Tom had to run into one of his high school buddies again! Can’t take that guy anywhere along the North Coast ;)

After dinner we went to the local Murphys for the required essential supplies aka beer and then back to camp which we reached just after dark. It hadn’t cooled down too much, so we opted for no camp fire. After playing with Luci, the inflatable camp light, we found the LEDs were capable of putting out some subdued amber light which was a perfectly suitable replacement for the camp fire. A large beer bottle and several Knopfler songs from Tom’s new Bose BlueTooth speakers later we were ready to call it a night.

When I got up Sunday morning, Carl was already busy making a decent cup of coffee with his Aeropress. I thought about doing the same, but then changed my mind and rather went for a walk to find a good lookout spot and delay the coffee until we got to a real breakfast place. Only a few minutes walk from our camp site was a spectacular lookout. I took out my phone to take a nice panorama shot and to my big surprise found 3 bars of signal. Much better than at home or in the office! So I texted my wife a few pictures of the great views that left her speechless and then headed back to camp. In the meantime Tom was up as well and after hanging around for a while Tom and Carl wanted to take in the views as well and appointed me as their guide. By now the sun had already come out a bit and you could see that fog was slowly building up. Still great views though and Carl took some nice shots as well. We continued our hike along the rim trail and found an amphitheater. Apparently we had missed an event called “Treasures of the Tide Pools” the night before. To make up for it Tom gave us a lecture on the features of the “Humboldt Honey”. In the picture Tom can be seen talking about Bobby McGee’s dirty red bandanna. Since I had been appointed scout, finding our way back from there became my obligation. Not sure if it was the shortest route, but I got us back to the camp site.

After a quick tear down and check for stuff left behind in the ramshackle wooden “bear box” we took off for breakfast in Arcata. The place apparently was known to Carl and Tom as a hippie place. Luckily not too many “Humboldt Honeys” there. The greeter turned out to be a goth chick featuring raven black hair with obligatory pony tail and bangs, spider web stockings and combat boots. The pancakes were some of the best I had: big whole wheat cakes with a copious amount of blueberries baked in. Yummy!

After breakfast we got ready for the long trek home straight down 101. After temperatures got hotter and we got into the haze of the wildfires still burning to the east we pulled over at Frank and Bess Smithe Redwood Grove for a good rest which Tom and I spent on top of a big redwood log and less adventurous Carl on a smaller log. Feeling much better and well rested we continued on south on 101 through scorching temps. One more gas stop near Willits - I think - and then for last big haul south. (Tom says the stop was in Laytonville). Carl went a bit slower but eventually caught up with Tom in Cloverdale while I got split off when I made another quick stop. Nevertheless we all beat Bay Area weekend traffic and got home around 6:30 for a much needed shower and something cold.