Day 4- Calexico to Yuma, AZ

One state down. We rode into Yuma, AZ this afternoon after another day on I-8 shoulders and two very rough frontage roads. Day started with a ride through the Imperial Valley farmlands. It is amazing to see what irrigation can produce in rich alluvial soil. Then it all quickly reverts into the Imperial Sand Dunes.

We stopped for lunch in Felicity, CA, the self-described Center of the World. See above. All. very weird. Lunch was prepared by the Mayor's wife and daughter, all apparently the sole residents of Felicity.

We are staying overnight in a new and quite commodious armory, just east of Yuma. 

Day 3- Live Oak Springs to Calexico, CA

We were rewarded today for our climbing efforts the first two days. We shuttled back up from the campground to Live Oak Springs and started descending almost immediately and at Mile 16 and a rest stop we got on I-8 for one scary 10 mile descent on a 6% grade. My front wheel started to shake but I stopped and calmed my nerves before setting out again.

We saw a bit of the border fence, pictured above, near Jacumba, before entering the Interstate. Also pictured above are Ann, our supreme chef and Serge, her husband and chore boy. 

Lunch for me was a chocolate banana milk shake and water and then off through the Yuha Desert past Exit 6, above, and landscape described as 'moon surface.'

The final 30 miles into Calexico was a bit tedious and anti-climatic after descending almost 4000 ft and then ending at a foot below sea level. Our stay tonight is being hosted by a Seventh Day Adventist mission school. Reminds me of a stop in French Camp, MS along the Natchez Trace where I was fed along other riders at a local school.

Day 2- Alpine to Live Oak Springs, CA

Today's ride is not one that I would plan. However, it had a bit of everything, starting in beautiful sunshine and in the 50's and with me taking a wrong turn out of the campground. That added 5 extra miles through white fenced range land. Cattle were seen grazing outside the fences. Upon rejoining the route I entered Interstate 8 going east and uphill. We stopped at a vista point at 3000 feet above sea level and could see the Pacific Ocean (pictured above) almost 40 miles away. Winds were gusting crossways and into our faces at 15-25 mph. We learned that you could keep a bicycle upright at only 4 mph. Pictured above in the lower right are three flags fully extended in front of a Border Patrol station.

We left I-8 and returned to US 80 which climbed almost continuously parallel to the Interstate. We did have two nice downhill runs but most of our day was a slow uphill climb to almost 5000 ft. We did have a nice stop for coffee and pastries in the cute town of Pine Valley.

The day ended fairly early and with a shuttle back to the campground near Alpine. We will stay overnight here again before being reshuttled in the morning back to Oak Springs to start tomorrow.

Day 1- San Diego to Alpine, CA

We are off after the requisite pictures by Nan and group photo before leaving Dog Beach. Should we be concerned? Saw some emu and ostrich along way. How did they get here? 

Lots of climbing (4000+ft) but not too steep just long. Staying in Viejas Indian reservation campground. Gratifying to have completed first day. 

Day 0

Nan flew out on Wednesday and we drove south stopping in La Jolla to visit a classmate of my father. What fun and Dick is still sharp and full of many fond recollections of my parents and their many travels together. We stayed overnight in the Ocean Beach community in San Diego. Today included getting a predatory buzz hair cut and attending an afternoon long planning meeting. One more day and we depart.

Three Flats

My friend, Phill, pictured above, drove down from Seal Beach to join me for a 25 mile ramble again through and around Newport Beach including a third return to Ruby's Diner, a sighting of kites, above, and a short ferry ride to Bilboa Island. Our ride was interrupted by three flat tires and the attendant time required to replace the tubes. We did find a kindly bike repair shop and a Starbucks to sit and sip while repairing the last flat. All and all not really such a bad day.

Newport Explore

 

Yesterday I had a leisurely ride around Newport Beach, CA, after a stop for Starbucks coffee exploring the Back Bay and it's restored marshland. Very nice trail with hills and turns around the bay. Then on to a short but daughting stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway before exiting towards the Bilboa Penninsula. Returned to Ruby's Diner (pictured above) on a pier for a most excellent BLT with avacado on grilled sourdough with parmasan cheese. Yummy and hope to come back again today.

Rode back upwind on a path along the beach passing one of the only elementary schools on a beach. Looked like the kids were enjoying their recess. Finally reached the end of the path and connected with the Santa Ana Trail and the way home.

Got back in time to see UNC survive a basketball game with Notre Dame- 12 straight wins but who's counting?