Free camping in town means getting up at first sign of sunlight. Good thing I set my alarm, because sunlight wouldn't come for the whole day. Mendocino before rise was even nicer than it's usually happening main drag. I sat at the cafe for a long while hoping the damp cool air would leave; I'd wait two whole days for that.
Highway 1 was way more pleasant the last two times when the overcast clouds held no percip, now it was grueling. In Point Arena I turned the corner into town to see a fully loaded Vaya. The owner of this Vaya was Donald, a 3 year off and on again cycle tourist on his "final ride" (I find it hard to believe that anyone can have a final ride). He too was waiting out the rain. We shared the cover of rain at the cafe at the foods store for a bit and talked of touring, rain, weather, the beautiful places and what it all means. His company helped me realize that the rains would pass and that comfort and discomfort is only passing.
I pressed on to Gualala where I searched for a dry haven once more and when it never ceased I called my Gualala Point Regional Park my resting place for the night. After a wet night covering everything in mud, I did the same I did the last time I was there, and escaped back into Gualala in the morning. The weather report said clear skies that day, let's hope.
Turns out this would be the day of the total washout. After Fort Ross Highway One becomes really scenic and beautiful road. The road climbs up to over 500' dropping straight to the crashing waves over the rocks. It's gorgeous, but the rain made all the beauty shit. My legs were starting to give out under the added weight of wet and mud. I'd been changing in and out of wet clothes constantly to the point where I feared I'd have nothing left by the time I hit Bodega Bay. The climb was not the worst of it though. Once over the top the rain pelted my face on the fast descents, my brakes were squishy and the cliffs were still steep; I was staring my mortality in the face. I took it carefully, as much as I was dying to get to Jenner. Despite the death defying feats, when I got to Jenner I took solace in the little cafe in town with some great espresso, vegan sandwhiches, and vegan cake (for only 2 bucks a slice! killer!), just what I needed as I squished on the floor. I felt bad for being a mess, but I just couldn't stand it anymore. At about 5 30, I took off once again in the rain to finish up the final 12 miles to Bodega Bay, a flat romp that actually did go by quickly, passing by the many beaches, surfers, and photographers out on this crap day.
Setting up camp in Bodega Bay was not ideal, as the rain was still falling and now I had sand to contend with. By the time I was in my sleeping bag nothing was dry. I was miserable and felt defeated. I met my match, water from the sky. Lesson learned I need to get better wet gear and smarter with dealing with it.
Thankfully, the next day was much better. The weather cleared by 11 AM and once I had hit Valley Ford the sun was shining beautifully on the cow pastures of Sonoma. After a brief afternoon in sunny Petaluma, I dropped into Larkspur, calling this wet and rainy 3 day tour over. I grabbed myself some Marin Brewing Co. for dinner as I waited for the ferry. Just before I grabbed the ferry the sun baked me dry. I had made it. Camp was over, the rain was over, and I had a shower and more beer that night. Only a few days in town, time to plan, then get back out there. There is plenty of summer left to go.
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