October 12, 2007---Huntington Beach Arrival
Reaching the Pacific Ocean after 42 days on the bicycle
Route Overview
Minneapolis to Huntington Beach
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Salinas Pueblo Missions
Camping in Bernardo, NM (2nd night in a row of camping)
Good evening from Kiva RV Park and Horse Motel.
"Climbing up hills is the meditation and the masochism of bicycling." George Brunell
How about this for a change. This is our second day of riding together and interestingly, our second night in a row of camping. Judy, the manager of this nice RV Park where we are camping has been so helpful and kind to us.
It seems after riding all day and eighty-two miles we ended up in just the perfect location.
Since no food is available for purchase, Judy actually provided us with baked beans and bread.
Thanks Judy for your hospitality.
Now lets go back to yesterday (Wednesday).
Chip had arranged for several other bicyclists to ride with us to Madrid, NM. This was a distance of about 22 miles and is a perfect route for bicycling touring. You may be interested to know that Madrid is the fictional home of the movie "Wild Hogs". It's a fun, eclectic community of artists, and other talented individuals living a wonderful life.
On the ride to Madrid, George and I were joined by Chip, Edwin, Ian, and Roger. We had a really perfect day for riding and we arrived in Madrid in about an hour and fifteen minutes. Chip, by the way did really well riding, and even decided to refuse an automobile ride home and instead bicycled back to Santa Fe. Way to go Chip.
We spent about two hours in Madrid visiting with many different people. First, it was a pleasure to meet Chip's boss, Joshua. He creates and sells a beautifully unique style of high end waterfalls that are simply fantastic. You will find his work in homes and businesses across the U.S.
It also was fun meeting and talking to two "Tour Directors" for an adventure bicycling touring service. Backroads offers guided trips to out of the way places across the globe. Christine and Angelisa were out bicycling on their day off, and were spending quality time in Madrid.
Thanks to both of you for sharing your enthusiasm and insight into this exciting vacationing opportunity. We hope to see you again on one of your trips. Christine lives in Montana, and Angelisa splits her seasons between Hawaii and Arizona.
After saying goodbye, George and I continued southward to Escobosa. This ended up being wilderness camping 101 for Dennis McCoy. We are talking no official campsite, just range land behind a small church. I was "out of my comfort zone" big time, but managed to stay alive the entire 12 hours of camping. Howling wild dogs added a new dimension to this experience, as well as the numerous pick-ups and cars that used the gravel road nearby.
But, you know what, I survived and actually felt good about the experience. We had no dinner, and then no breakfast again this morning. Traveling here in rural New Mexico is really isolated.
No cell service and few convenience stores. Bottom line, when you see a service station, stop and buy everything you may possibly need for the next three days.
Did you notice that our weather yesterday and again today was picture perfect?
Sunny and beautiful for two days with great road conditions. Despite George's four flat tires in two days, we are off to a great start.
George is Mr. Humor. He is so talented and funny. Everything we see and do revolves around fun and exciting. Riding with George already has improved my bicycling skills.
It's tough to report, but I suffered my third flat tire this afternoon. Those darn "goat-head weeds"!
Well, that's it for tonight. It's time to put my head on the blow-up pillow, and my torso on the blow-up air mattress. By the way, it works fine when you inflate it. (Yes, I have figured that out.)
Enjoy your day, and thanks again for all the wonderful feedback.
Keep those prayers coming our way.
PS: AS previously mentioned, cell service has been hit and miss (mostly miss). So it may be a few days before additional photos are uploaded.
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