Vistas & Vibes from a Bicycling Odyssey: Sep 25, 2007

Minneapolis to Huntington Beach

Pedaling a bicycle to Huntington Beach, CA has been my dream for more than five years. On September 1, 2007 the journey will begin. This blog will document "people" and "places discovered" along the journey. Welcome to a different way of seeing America. Enjoy a virtual ride!
Pics from first day
More pictures from the morning take off! http://www.jonsmithers.com/dennis090107-cathy/
Some really fun pics here.... http://www.jonsmithers.com/dennis090107

*** If you would like to leave a comment for Dennis or read what others have written click on the word 'comments'. Do not click on the envelope icon. ***

Itinerary

DAY #	DATE	MILES	TOTAL MILES	DESTINATION
1	Sat 9/1	71	71	Gaylord, MN
2	Sun 9/2	55	126	St James, MN
3	Mon 9/3	57	183	Spirit Lake, IA
4	Tue 9/4	50	233	Sheldon, IA
5	Wed 9/5	58	291	Sioux City, IA
6	Thu 9/6	56	347	Tekamah, NE
7	Fri 9/7	39	386	Elkhorn, NE
8	Sat 9/8	67	453	Milford, NE
9	Sun 9/9	80	533	Hastings, NE
10	Mon 9/10	55	588	Holdrege, NE
11	Tue 9/11	73	661	McCook, NE
12	Wed 9/12	76	737	Haigler, NE
13	Thu 9/13	71	808	Cope, CO
14	Fri 9/14	41	849	Last Chance, CO
15	Sat 9/15	61	910	Elizabeth, CO
16	Sun 9/16	34	944	Columbine Valley, CO
17	Mon 9/17	63	1007	Colorado Springs, CO
18	Tue 9/18	0	1007	Colorado Springs, CO
19	Wed 9/19	70	1077	Pueblo, CO
20	Thu 9/20	75	1152	Walsenburg, CO
21	Fri 9/21	62	1214	San Luis, CO
22	Sat 9/22	60	1274	Taos, NM
23	Sun 9/23	48	1322	Santa Cruz, NM
24	Mon 9/24	31	1353	Santa Fe, NM
25	Tue 9/25	0	1353	Santa Fe, NM
26	Wed 9/26	67	1420	Tijeras, NM
27	Thu 9/27	68	1488	Contreras, NM
28	Fri 9/28	79	1567	Highways 52, NM
29	Sati 9/29	59	1626	Quemado, NM
30	Sun 9/30	75	1701	Vernon, AZ
31	Mon 10/1	74	1775	Forest Lakes, AZ
32	Tue 10/2	70	1845	Sunflower, AZ
33	Wed 10/3	45	1890	Scottsdale, AZ
34	Thu 10/4	26	1916	Sun City West, AZ
35	Fri 10/5	82	1998	Wenden, AZ
36	Sat 10/6	61	2059	Parker, AZ
37	Sun 10/7	59	2118	Desert Center, CA
38	Mon 10/8	90	2206	Desert Hot Spgs, CA
39	Tue 10/9	45	2251	Calimesa, CA
40	Wed 10/10	38	2289	Highland, CA
41	Thu 10/11	31	2320	Anaheim, CA
42	Fri 10/12	17	2337	Huntington Beach, CA
43	Sat 10/13	0	2337	Huntington Beach, CA
44	Sun 10/14	0	2337	Huntington Beach, CA
45	Mon 10/15			Fly to Minneapolis, MN

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

We made it to the top

Jerry, Dennis, George, & Chip at the top of Mt. Picacho (8400 ft)

Three Amigos

Chip, Dennis, & George at Dancing Frog (Chip's home)

George and his Trek Bicycle with a "BOB" trailer.

George is ready to ride. The only question is can Dennis keep up with this IronMan rider?

Chip's Backyard

Another picture perfect day
in Santa Fe.

Taking a Hike (Day 2 in Santa Fe)

Greetings from the Land of Enchantment!

Relaxation was the key word yesterday. It's really comfortable here at Chip's house and this atmosphere puts you in the right frame of mind. We enjoyed an outdoor lunch in his gazebo that is nestled between lots of vegetation and beautiful trees. A cascading waterfall fountain stays on continuously and helps you to fall asleep at night. He has done a marvelous job of landscaping, and you just want to wander around the yard examining all of his Native American collectibles.

On Monday afternoon we visited Chip's new neighborhood library and then prepared for dinner at home. Chip's friend, Jerry, joined us for dinner and then another friend, Dan, stopped over for dessert. A tasty salad along with grilled chicken and a sweet bean side dish made for a fine dinner. All of us enjoyed the food as well as stimulating conversation.
Comparing notes about life in general, we agreed that we all were blessed and should continue living each day to the fullest.
Jerry is a retired judge and his insight was really interesting. He has lived in New Mexico since age 14, and brings a good perspective to any discussion. We tried to talk Dan into bicycling with us to Madrid on Wednesday, however his business schedule may interfere.

This afternoon (Tuesday) we are headed up Piacho mountain (8400 ft) for a five mile walk. That will keep the muscles toned and ready to resume bicycling tomorrow morning. I can't wait to spend a week riding with George. He is an adventurer extraordinaire with the greatest personality.
Humor will be "front and center" in the George and Dennis Road Show.

We plan to go out for dinner tonight and sample some local Santa Fe cuisine.
That sounds like a super plan! Wouldn't you agree?

October 12, 2007---Huntington Beach Arrival

Vistas & Vibes from a Bicycling Odyssey

Minneapolis to Huntington Beach

Route Overview

Itinerary

Blog Archive

Read about the trip in the Eden Prairie newspaper......

Do you think Dennis will make it to California?

An epic journey of more than 2000 miles. Untold encounters with the heart and soul of America. Surely this experince will change Dennis, but in what way? Cast your vote now.