We Made It - Woo Hoo!!

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Imperial Beach, CA at the Mexican Border.

My Paulie was there to meet us - Yay!

·        1,953 miles, average 50 miles per day

·        6 1/2 weeks with 71,386' of Elevation Gain

·        Route: Blaine, WA to Imperial Beach, CA

·        1 flat tire – 1 day without a shower

·        1 day of rain

General routine – 3 days camping- 1 day motel - 3 days camping – 2 nights motel for full rest day.  Massages on rest days.

Grateful

Today we rode 40 miles and took a ferry to Coronado.  Tomorrow an easy ride to the border  and my Paulie will be there to welcome us - yay!
How do I feel?   Grateful beyond measure!  For an epic trip filled up to overflowing on all levels. Grateful for the health and stamina to undertake this venture.  Each day we have been particularly  thankful for safety on the road and the wonderful support of family, friends, and complete strangers that encouraged us at every turn.  Special thanks to my boon companion Melody.  We were simpatico throughout the trip in an other-worldly way.
It is not bitter-sweet like I thought it would be to be finishing.  It is only sweet.  I left nothing on the table and I am ready to be done. Amen and amen and amen.

Looking toward San Diego from Coronado.

Last Night Camping - A Story to Remember

40 miles to South Carlsbad State Beach
We were looking forward to one last night camping. When we got to the campground, it was full. We were waiting in line because I was prepared to beg for a postage stamp sized piece of ground to pitch our tents. The camp hosts offered for us to follow them and they had space for us.  They had an empty big canvas pole tent, brought out a queen sized air mattress, a light, offered dinner, beer, and smores.   We took them up on most of their kind offers.  Not quite sure this counts as camping, but we are happy campers:)
AND we went swimming in the ocean!  Not just wading, a bona fide swim. SO MUCH FUN.

                                   Some of today's bike path by the beach.

                                     Our swimming beach at Carlsbad.

                                                  Serendipity yet again!

We Rode Through Los Angeles!

Wow, clearly I'm impressed:)  Who knew you could really just ride your bike through LA?!  Remember, I'm country girl from. Elk.

Craziest thing, we found excellent bird watching on a dumpy section of the LA River right in town. Osprey, heron, pelicans, stilts, Canada geese, and egrets.  Not to be trite, but you really can find beauty in the most unexpected places.  Also unexpected were horse set ups right in the city by the river.

After announcing 30-40 miles as the plan today, we actually rode 60 to Dana Point. Staying in a wonderful hotel. Hit a lucky bargain.

Long Beach was charming with a beautiful marina.

                                                         Long Beach

                                               Bike path along LA River.

                                    Horse set ups in LA - Who knew?!

Touring Like Tourists

We are in the final stages of our grand journey and determined to enjoy our last few days of beautiful California to the fullest. We're slowing the train down to a leisurely 40ish miles a day.  It felt very luxurious today with 33 miles to Redondo Beach.  We're staying in a motel here.
We started our day with mega traffic through Malibu and finished with 20 miles of seashore bike trail bliss.
I didn't take pictures of the incredible ocean views of all the beaches we rode through. I just can't do them justice.  I expect the pictures to wane from here on out. We're almost too filled up to take them, though here is one of our beach bike trail today.

17 miles of on the beach bike trail!

Turkey Vultures

42 miles to Malibu with ferocious winds.
 Wow, Malibu is pretty hoity toity: ) We camped in a private campground with another view site.  By far our most expensive campsite.  Had a spectacular fresh seafood dinner within walking distance.

This post is dedicated to the unsung majesty of the turkey vulture.  They have been our constant companions since we started in Blaine. So much has changed with the miles gone by, but always we find the big black birds circling and soaring in the sky.  I think they're beautiful and their consistency is somehow comforting.

                                       Our feathered friends the turkey vultures.

Beach Boys

51 miles to Ventura.  The beaches from Santa Barbara south definitely conjure up Beach Boys songs - Surfin' USA!  I rather expect that vibe from here on out.
   We were grateful for bike paths most of the day. We're camping in a private campground in Ventura.

                                                         Santa Barbara

                                                 

                     Awesome new bike path that kept us off busy Hiway 101.

Happy Campers

39 miles to El Capitan State Park

                                       Back to the sea and camping. We're happy: )

                        Rolling hills from Lompoc to the ocean.

North of Santa Barbara

Friday, August 14, 52 miles to Lompoc.

We must be in California. Check out the sign.  We saw a dog on the beach and were sure it was a pig. We've seen so much cool wildlife and we'd like to add a wild pig to the list (as long as it's not too close: )
Big hilly ride today through desert like country. We're in a motel for the fourth night in a row. Definitely a first.  We have another big climbing day today and plan to camp at a state park. Can you believe we miss camping? It's true!  Though the luxury of a bed four nights in a row has not gone unappreciated: )

Swimming With Dolphins

Thursday, August 13 rest day at Pismo Beach. 

While we didn't actually swim with the dolphins, we did get to watch them from the pier at Pismo Beach along with whales and lots of surfers.  We spent much of the day at the beach, enjoyed a picnic on the pier, and finished the afternoon with massages.  Massages by non English speaking Chinese - it was a hoot in its own way and very therapeutic.

               

                                               

                                                     Surfers waiting to catch a wave.

Land of Contrasts

Wednesday, August 12, 55 miles to Pismo Beach. Think we'll take a rest day.
It was fun to see Morrow Bay today because it is a favorite to son Doug. We took a remote back road to Pismo Beach. The contrast was striking within a short distance.
Bluebell (my faithful bicycle) needed new shifter cables and a little spa treatment. Wally of Wally's Bikes did a top notch job.  Now, just to keep up with Bluebell, I may need to find a massage tomorrow.

                                                               Morrow Bay

                We barely saw a car or house on this quiet back road, but we did see a fox!

Elephant Seal Show

Tuesday, August 11 - 47 miles to the
Cambra hostel. Yay, happy for a bed.  We finished cycling through the hills of Big Sur this morning. Nice to do with fresh legs:)  We went through San Simeon and saw the Hearst Castle up on the hill.

The highlight of today was seeing the Elephant Seals.  The most amazing thing happened that was all due to being on the bikes. We stopped at the crowded tourist viewing spot and saw the seals. We rode about 100 feet beyond and there in a little bay were about a dozen seals frolicking, making their unique sounds and putting on private show for us.  It was really something to behold.

           Best pic I could get of the seals.

Big Sur - Wowzer Dowzer

Monday, August 10. Cycled 58 verrrry hilly miles (sounding familiar, right?) from Monterey through Big Sur to camp at Limekiln State Park.  Our camp site was an overflow space they kindly gave us right on the beach.  We watched whales while sipping our camp coffee.  The campsite was in the Lucia Mountains. 

Big Sur is dramatically spectacular with cliffs and rocks and notably, well . . . BIG.  We could spot whales as we rode along.

                                                                  Big Sur

             

                                        We camped right under this bridge.

                                          Lucia Mountains by our campsite.

Strawberry Fields Forever

August 9, 43 miles to Monterey.
We cycled through extensive farmlands again today. Notably strawberries (the smell divine), artichokes (so we ate an artichoke omelette for breakfast), and brussel sprouts (a personal favorite).
We treated ourselves to Motel 6 tonight. Ahhh the luxury.
Monterey is overflowing with tourists for some world famous car show.  If it were bicycles, we might hang around:)

                                                 Strawberry Fields

                                                           Artichokes

Pesky Raccoons

Raccoons have been persistent pests at the campgrounds.  Last night they dug into my rolled down water proof panniers.  I imagine them deftly opening up each thing and discussing among themselves what they want and what they reject.  Maybe I've been on the road too long.
Today we rode 62 miles too our campground at New Brighton State Beach.  We noticed lots of organic farms raising artichokes and brussel sprouts.  Many fields go right up to the ocean.  We saw lots of bicyclists and surfers today.

                                                      Crops grow right up to the sea.

Sunset at our campground beach.

Golden Gate Bridge

Friday, August 7.
We started the day with the much anticipated ride over the Golden Gate Bridge.  It was a thrill I will always remember.

40 miles to camp at Half Moon State Park.

Are You Going to San Francisco?

Wednesday, August 6.  30 surprisingly serene miles into Sausalito, much of it on a bike path.  Everything is much more cosmopolitan with great food at every turn.

We are the luckiest tourists ever to be hosted for two nights  by Laura and Grant Willard at their beautiful home in Sausalito with a breath taking view of the bay.

Had the rest day of our dreams  starting with a massage, spending a perfect day with young son Doug and Jess, and anticipating the ride over the Golden Gate Bridge in the morning.  Kind of surreal.

                                                      Thank you Laura and Grant!

Wonderful evening!

Pelicans, Seals, Golden Eagles, oh My!

Tuesday, August 4.  Had a big cycling day of 65 miles to our campground in Olema. We're discovering the California coast is very hilly:)
Ate lunch overlooking a bay full of seals and birds.

                        Lunch spot at Jenner, CA where the Russian River enters the sea.

Off The Grid

I had thought California was the height of civilization.  We've barely had phone service the past three days.  This was a surprise to us.

Tuesday, August 4 - Got a late start after an indulgent morning in our hotel so cycled a shorter day. 34 miles to Salt Point State Park.  Our record has been broken- no shower!  We were sad about that but consoled ourselves with a lovely hike to the beach.

We Don't Just Rough It

We love to camp and typically camp three nights in a row.  Then we're ready for a night in a real bed.  Usually a bare bones motel, just so we get a real bed.  Unless the universe conspires to put you up in a lovely ocean view hotel (very reasonably I might add). Long story but everything else was full and we landed in a clover field called Wharf Master's Inn in Port Arena.
The California coast is very rugged and dramatic.  Can't quite believe we're here.
     Mendocino was a very cool town.  We noticed the quality of food and grocery stores has exponentially improved.  So much real, homemade food. Yum!               Went through Elk, California and was reminded of my childhood home.

                                                      Our fancy pants pad for the night.

                                                              Sunset at the wharf.

                                                          Fancy pants dinner too:)

                                                             Out the door of our hotel.

Elk, California 

Back to the Sea

64 hilly miles to Cleone and are camping at Mackericher State Park. This was our most rigorous cycling day. Saw a hummingbird right by my tent tonight, always good luck in my book.

                                                            Started the day in the Redwoods.

                                                  Finished the day back by the ocean.

It Doesn't Get Any Better

We spent the morning cycling through the Avenue of the Giants.  It was bicycle touring at its finest. There was very little traffic, the road was smooth and (reasonably flat,  and the temperature perfect  as we pedaled through the forest primeval. John Steinbeck said, "The Redwoods, once seen create a vision that stays with you always. . . they are not like any other trees we know, they are ambassadors of another time."
(38 miles, camped at KOA)

Golden Eagle!

Thursday-July 30th - 59 miles on back roads through farmlands.  Saw my first ever Golden Eagle.  It was a youngster sitting on a telephone pole.  We were told at a visitor center that there are
known to be a couple nests south of Eureka so we got really lucky.

Seems funny to see palm trees by farm houses.  Following farmland we went through Ferndale, a cool Victorian historic town and visited their museum. Ended the day on the Avenue of The Giants. We're camping at an RV park and will get to start our day on this "Avenue."

                                           Farmlands with palm trees. Must be in California.
                       

                                                               Ferndale, California.

                                   Not a good pic but the Golden Eagle was a rare treat for us.

We're Girls

Taking a rest day in Arcata. What do we do?  We wash everything!  Sleeping bags, tents, footprints, shoes, clothing . . . EVERYTHING! We're about halfway and it feels good to freshen everything up. AND a shower every day. AND a massage scheduled for the afternoon. We're girls: )

Cool historic hotel in Arcata for the rest day - a tip from the local bike shop.

Blissfully clean everything.

                               

Redwoods

Monday, July 27 - 40 miles to Prairie Creek State Park. Camped and hiked in the redwoods. Saw lots of elk and a bull with the biggest rack I've ever seen - pictures don't do it justice, but it was remarkable.

Tuesday-July 28, 44 miles to Arcata. Rode through Patrick's Point State Park where the redwoods meet the sea.
Lots of hills. Taking a rest day tomorrow.

                                    Elk Herd a short walk from our campsite.