Thursday June 25
Here is a shot of Vegas from yesterday.
I thought it might be fun to show the packing of the bike this morning. I rarely do anything the same way twice, but this has become important to me. A road lesson is to put everything in the same place every time, that way you can find stuff and also not lose stuff.
First into the trunk are all the toiletries. Smash them down good.
Computer case next with the cables to so much stuff. Camera, phone, GPS, 2 Ipods, internet card, and computer. It JUST fits.
Lay the yellow bungee across before closing.
Dry bag with clothing and one blanket goes on the Givi rack. One bungee holds it fine.
Duffle with tent, foam mat, thermorest pad, heavy blanket, umbrella, long johns, and frog toggs goes on the seat. Hook the yellow bungee that goes thru the trunk to the handles.
Cross it all with three red bungies.
Run two small green bungies from the Givi rack to the handles of the duffle. This is secure, but I can get in the trunk in seconds if needed.
SPOT on the right brake reservoir with Burt's Bees for the lips and Carmex for the nasal passages. (It really helps!) And cramp buster for the long stretches.
GPS on the left.
Comb and sunblock in the glove box.
Water, book and pen, my skirt, carabiner my sandals onto straps, and load Ya'll.
The last thing on the bike is me.
What is this flower? It is so pretty.
Riding out of Bakersfield was a treat. I was riding between orange orchards. When next to one, there was a definite lowering of temperature. The weather was 70's and sunny. Ideal! I passed a bunch of fields where hamburgers and steaks were being grown, too. At McKittrick, I got into some bodacious curves.
Along the way there were seriously old live oaks. This one was not close to me but I bet it has a 6-8 foot diameter. That would make it close to 20 feet around. 2000 years old, maybe?
I remember thinking it should be illegal to feel that good! I picked up 101 in San Luis Obispo (home of Cal Poly U) which put me on Highway 1!
OCEAN!!
I am going to wear myself out.
Every rock was covered with sea birds.
I saw a sign that said Elephant Seal Point...
The sound they make...how can I describe it? Let's see. I laid in the tub and the small of my back created suction which stuck it to the tub. When I yanked it loose, that sound resembled the voice of one of these uttering one syllable.
These little guys were everywhere
Yum.
My near future.
Hello there.
Ya'll having fun.
This low cloud hung around all day.
Cliff repairs.
Sweet.
Look at that color.
Stopped here for a sandwich.
I met the guys who rode these bikes to Austin and back.
Rode on.
I was getting tired and started getting tight and trembly. I am sure it was a combination of cold, nerves, and excitement. All day I had to keep reminding myself to BREATHE. This was an amazing ride start to finish. I think it would be a safer ride done from North to South because so many of the pull offs and view points are on the ocean side. I was making left turns across traffic all day.
I am meeting Fitty at Alice's Restaurant in Hondo for lunch tomorrow!
I got a call from Hannah last night that she had broken down at 820 and Berry on her bike. Seth was on his way to her. I woke Bill and Rachel because I forgot about the time change. They took a trailer to Hannah. Bill got the bike to run well enough to get it to Seth's shop and followed Hannah there. I am VERY grateful! It was a bad kickstand switch combined with a bad clutch switch thingy.
And Dale did it because I basically told him he couldn't.