Eureka! (I have found it!)

We spent two days in Eureka and a bit in Arcata; we rode from our campground into Arcata where we were craving a good breakfast so we ate at The Big Blue Cafe referred by our friend, Amy. It was just what we were craving, pancakes, eggs, syrup, and cold refillable water.

The little town square in Arcata is pretty nice and had some drum circle banging away lookin like this is what they do everyday. After a little checking around we decided to head into Eureka and drop off our bags and stuff at our friend, Ainsley's mom's house. 

The directions to the house were simple enough except with the last direction, 'take the second lane', simple enough it seems. We see a mailbox with the address number and we set our bikes against the outside of the house and make ourselves 'presentable' then proceed to the door. Once at the door and already knocked, we notice the house number is much different. Door opens, not Ainsley's mom's house. Just passed the house looks like an alleyway, hence 'take the second lane' to a gated house with the an open front gate where posted signs warn of dogs, great. As we approach the house, two dogs start barking and running at us where I strategically place my bike between myself and the dogs to did out these springer spaniels want nothing more than to sniff our mystery scents on our bags and selves and gives us kisses.

After some knocking and seeing no cars at home we thought no one was home which was a possibility so we pulled up chairs from the front porch and was just kicking it when 15 minutes go by the front door opens...Brennan, Ainsley's brother, semi-greets us. He tells us we can bring the bikes to the backyard and setup our tents wherever; the backyard consisted of a severe slant down to a lumpy section then up a large embankment to a smoothed out gravel patch maybe 30-40 yards away. Not ideal. We found a small flat strip on the opposite side of the house and moved our bikes over there in a dazed state. Brennan showed us to the backyard then went inside and said nothing else, a man of few if any words.

We lingered around on the back porch for almost a half hour when I went inside kindly inquiring Brennan's name to ask to use the shower and after no response or activity of life so I showered. As I finished showering and shaving I had the door open to clear out the hot shower fog, when Ainsley's younger sister walked in not knowing we were even here. I scared hear, being a stranger in her bathroom (clothed thankfully) and toting a mustache.

That evening Ainsley came over after work and showed us around town then we went to Winco to pickup dinner supplies. We enjoyed a nice evening of good food and catching up.

The next day we awoke to an empty house. They said to make ourselves at home and have whatever they couldn't replace so we enjoyed cereal; I will just say one of the main things I miss is cereal. We kind of just hung around the house catching up on news and skyping with Larissa until 1 then we went to explore old downtown. 

Old downtown is a pretty cool place with interesting architecture, cool bookstores, a good bagel store, and a water front where I sat and read for sometime then went and got some amazing homemade ice cream. 

It was a nice day off out around town. That night we hung out at the house chit chatting and eating pizza. Thankful for our generous hosts for opening their house.