I sit on a comfy recliner in a friend's house in Pacific Beach, San Diego, finishing the coffee I got on my four block walk down to the ocean to gaze at the surf, soak up the morning sun, and play some frisbee with my brother this morning. After a 12 day bike ride down the PCH from San Francisco to San Diego, where we faced inclement weather (supposedly one of the worst set of storms the California coast had seen in two decades), and cold nights in and out of the tent, Leigh Ann (my girlfriend of nine months, dear friend, and hearty and well-tested traveling companion) and I finally arrived in San Diego last Sunday. The first leg of the trip was a bit trying. It tested my patience and Leigh Ann's tolerance and mental toughness. Although we were blessed with good weather up until Big Sur, our pocket of sunshine did not hold up the second week. As we carefully plotted our course from Gorda, on the southern edge of Big Sur, to Los Angeles, it was stressful trying to cover distance in between rain storms. The looming threat of rain was a constant thought in the back of our minds. Although we got thoroughly soaked at some points along the way, the sun always came out for short bursts of warmth and light, and the green hills and swampy farmlands never looked so magical, glistening with their raindrop jackets. We found hosts to take us in on three different nights during this leg. It was great to feel welcome in these towns and made me feel part of a community bigger than anything I had known. That these people would open up their hearts and their homes to two weary travelers on bicycles is something special. Thank you Richard, Terry, and Leslie. Even when we did not plan it, we would find kindness from people along the roads, in parking lots, along the cliffs of southern california.
A couple highlights along the way: an organic strawberry and kiwi farm just north of Santa Cruz where we were able to do some jam tasting, and where payment for coffee and other goods was on the honor system - put your money in the box, take what change you need, with no one to govern it. It was nice soaking up the sun in a red chair in front of the store, overlooking the PCH, a field of yellow wildflowers, and the ocean beyond. Our last two days of riding was in pure, unhindered sunshine - a nice welcome to so cal. A beautiful sunset, and even more glorious sunrise on top of the ridge at San Onofre St. Park, our last campsite.
Since arriving in SD, there has been a lot to take in: sight seeing, old friends, old coworkers, and some taking care of business (application to USD grad school, and fixing up the trusty steed for its next leg through Baja), but it seems as if things have finally slowed down, at least for the day, and at least enough for me to sit here in silence, reflecting on things accomplished and things to come. I am enjoying all the amenities of societal living (stoves, refrigerators, chairs, beds, shelter, computers, cars, friends) while I have them. I got two responses from people that have shown interest in riding with me as far as the tip of Baja. One response was from a 20 yr old guy from Manitoba, Canada, who started his trip in early September. His name is Jordan. We met the other day and he seems like he will make a good companion. He managed to plant enough trees for the Queen last spring to finance his trip south. The other response was from a girl, Laurel, who is 26 and from Oregon. She is a field biologist and works during the spring and summer and has the winters off. I will meet her in just a few short hours. I have secured two places to stay my first two nights in Mexico. One will be in La Mision, a small town in between the beaches of Rosarito and Ensenada, and the next will be in Ensenada. These hosts should make for a smooth transition to Baja. After Ensenada, we will be far enough away from the chaos and congestion of the border towns that I will feel much more comfortable camping out. I am excited to get to know my two new traveling companions and for the sights, experiences, and adventures that await south of the border. My legs and rump are primed, my gear is tested and restocked, my bike is cleaned and tuned, my health is great, my spirit is high. Plans to depart are set for Monday, Feb. 1. A big thanks to the family, friends, and strangers who have helped me make it this far.
I am ready and open for whatever awaits me...
