Made it to California and have a few new stories for all of you!
It seems everywhere little foot and I camp happens to also be the place where all the cats like sleep, pee and eat. Thursday we made it into cali and rode pretty late into Palo Verde I had called ahead to the fire department hoping to get a place to sleep for the night but I was informed theres a trailer park that allows cyclists to camp for free with bathrooms and showers also proved! We rolled into town around 9 something and noticed the only place open was a pub. As we put our bikes up against the front of the pub a hot mess of a woman began talking to us. She slurred the whole time, but that's not what made her a mess, it was her outfit that took the cake. Cutoff jean shorts with huge slits up the side, a hole filled tshirt and she was holding a 32 oz styrofoam cup. At least she was nice and was able to kind of point us in the right direction of the trailer park. We went inside and ordered a couple burgers for dinner which hit the spot, at least it did for me! Before ordering, a man sitting at the bar came over to inform us it was buy one get one half off burgers, then he put his hand on lil foot's shoulder. Haha. It's come to our attention that for some reason people like to just place a hand on lil foots shoulder when telling us anything. I tend to just crack up and then we both laugh when the awkwardness is over. Oh man, its too funny!
After eating we headed to set up camp and get some sleep, this was one of those nights where we had to share the space with multiple cats. Ugh, I'm so sick of cats I could really use a good dog chase just to change things up.
Friday we went from Palo Verde to Brawley where lil foots Aunt Debbie Put us up for the night at the Brawley Inn. Such a good nights sleep there but first let me tell you about our ride there. We began for about 40+ miles of no services through the desert and we were riding along side of a two lane highway with no shoulders. Perfect for bikes, NOT. We were stopped for the first time by a highway patrol officer who told us to be careful of the white line and make she if we stop on the sides to get over as far as possible to the right. Thanks officer for your great wisdom, I don't think we would have made it much longer without it. We continued on and made it to a closed store that had a vending machine! We had lunch and put done 4 cans of drinks each. Probably not the best idea hut we needed anything that was cold.
The next 7 or so miles we rode through massive sand dunes. It's crazy how much the scenery changes and so quick. One minute we can be riding on the edges of boulders and canyons in Utah, to deserts in Arizona and now sand dunes of California. I felt like the only thing missing during this part of the ride was Aladin singing 'S whole new world' to me while riding a flying carpet! Haha. We made it to Brawley around dinner time, we bought sandwiches and makings for sandwiches and a 6 pack then headed to the lovely AC of our hotel room. Not too excited happened the rest of the night, just relaxed and got some shut eye!
Saturday we originally wanted to make it to san Diego but because of our late starts and crazy heat of the desert we weren't going to get there til Sunday. But Saturday we went from Brawley to Live Oak Springs Resort. Let me tell you about a bump. Oh man. First the journey there was more desert, long climbs, and another run in with an 18 wheeler. Before you all jump the gun we did not get hit by another truck, nope this time we had a Mack truck call the highway patrol on us. As usual we were riding on narrow highways with no shoulders but as always we ride single file so we don't.block traffic. Apparently this wasn't good enough for one truck driver because a few hours into our ride we were stopped by an officer to chat. Hence the title.... The officer informed us that a Mack truck called in and said we weren't allowing traffic by, what an asshole. How could I or lil foot, being only 2.5 feet wide prevent an 18 wheeler from passing us especially with no oncoming traffic. Such an idiot, but I thought it was funny at the same time. Right where the officer pulled us over there was a boarder patrol station. We walked over to them and asked if they had water, and they did! Ice cold, filtered water, yum!
It was time to ride on, and we stopped in Ocotillo for something to eat before beginning our 3500 ft elevation climb. While eating two guys chatted us up. Jimbo and Clint, who both didn't think we would make it up the hill and be able to continue on. Well we showed them, we dragged ass up and then cycled another 12 miles to get to our intended campsite. As we arrived at the Live Oak Springs Resort our spirits were raised because the bar was open and it was 10pm. The bartender talked up the Campgrounds so much that we were actually excited to pitch the tent and shower up, what he forgot to mention is that he's a massive liar. Oh man, bad enough the sites were all overgrown with weeds and grass, the bathrooms weren't even suitable for a homeless person to want to pee in, and don't get me started on the showers. On top of that there was a monster party going on at some house or trailer and the crazies were walking around. Lil foot was encountered by one when she went to check out the toilets, that was enough for me to not even bother walked to the bathroom, I just peed by a tree. Haha
We couldn't get out of there quick enough on Sunday morning. I slept with a rock on either side of me so every time I rolled over my hips were not happy. Knowing that we would be sleeping indoors on Sunday was motivation enough to get up and get going. It was a 72 mile ride into San Diego and of course the winds picked up the closer to the coast we got. It seemed like we were never going to make it, but finally we reached the last road which becomes a bike path all the way to the ocean! It was amazing to see so many people out on the path. Civilization ay last! No more smells of road kill, instead just the smells of salt water and restaurants. No more mullets on grown men, and some women haha. No more middle America, it was now time for coast riding!
Lil foot had arranged for us to stay with her friend Max who lives in San Diego and he would be meeting us at the beach with his truck to pick us up! He arrived 10 minutes after we go to the beach, with his girl friend Melissa. They helped us inlaid our bikes and head to the water for the dipping of the wheels. It was now official, lil foot and I traveled from the northeastern coast to the southwestern coast on bicycles!!!!! It was now time to celebrate, we went back to Mac's got showered and changed and then headed to lil foots friend from Maine, Kim and Eric's apartment. Kim is originally from Maine and moved out to san Diego after meeting Eric about a year ago. We started off BBQing by the pool then moved back into the apartment to keep the drinking going. I would get into more details of the night but it would take too long and its just a bunch of drunken craziness I'm sure our families can do without hearing about.
Monday was Kim's birthday so of course we had to keep the party going. Before I forget, ee ended up sleeping on the balcony of Kim and Eric's place instead of staying with Max like originally planned. I think that says enough for the kind of night we had. Lil foot decided she would bake Kim's favorite cakes, funfetti cake and cherry cheese cake it was! After a day filled with eating and napping it was time to start the celebrating and games playing! Nothing beats playing board games and seeing how ridiculous it becomes as the drinking continues.
This morning lil foot and i were supposed to get about 60 miles done but due to our 2:30pm start and the shape we were in it was clear that our goal wouldn't be met. We covered almost 40 miles and 30 of them were done right next to the water. So beautiful! The cool constant breeze was perfect and now we are camping right at the beach.
Tonight we'll be sleeping to the sounds of the ocean and of course there's a train only about a hundred feet away, so that will probably wake us up a couple times. Yay.
I believe you are all now caught up. Tomorrow we hope to stay either in Newport Beach or somewhere around the LA area! Then two more days til Santa Barbara and lil foots boyfriend, Eric, will be down to visit.
10 days of riding to go then finito!
Tata for now.
Sasq
Ps. Big thanks to Aunt Debbie for the Brawley Inn night, Max and Melissa for picking us up and housing us a night, Kim and Eric for feeding us and also housing us a night. Also HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIM!
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