Vistas & Vibes from a Bicycling Odyssey: Oct 8, 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

Monday, October 8, 2007

Joshua Trees

For those who may not have seen a Joshua Tree.

Dinos Rock

A local attraction for all to enjoy.

A Good Samaritan

Out of the clear blue desert sky came an angel to my rescue. Meet Mike Scott, husband, and father of four young children. Mike was off work for the holiday, yet he took time to ensure that I safely reached the frontage road in Cabazon. I was at a point where bicycles were not permitted on Interstate 10, and there was no frontage road available.
Mike loaded my bike in his Honda Minivan and drove me about seven miles to the first frontage road.
Without this wonderful Samaritan I would have been in a potentially dangerous situation. God Bless You Mike.
(Don't worry, I more than made up those miles by later following several frontage roads that were dead ends, and required a lot of back tracking.)

Old Vehicles never die in the California Desert

Is this a bus or one of the first motor homes? The name on the grill is Flexible. Any ideas as to when it was put in service?

RC Model Airplanes on my mind

Hello to my brother Daryl.
I saw this Hobby Shop and thought about all our years of flying radio control airplanes. Love to you, Janet, and the boys.

CHP's checking on my safety

Special thanks to Officer Eric Brewer who stopped to verify that I was OK.
I had pulled over for water and was inspecting my tires. It's reassuring to know that Law Enforcement is always there and ready to help you.
Thanks for your service Officer Brewer.

Desert Beauty

Moving out and heading towards Desert Hot Springs.

City of Many Murals

29 Palms is best known for the US Marine Base located here.(My father would be pleased that I stayed in a place focused on the Marines)
Murals are also popular and decorate walls all over the city.

Life is good at the Sunset Motel in 29 Palms, CA

One Big Desert to Cross

This Vista played over and over all day. Can you believe the high temperature was only about 80?

God's beauty surrounds us everywhere we go.

Riding a Century to 29 Palms

Perfect weather conditions and 5 liters of water motivated me to move tomorrow's ride to today. So, I'm pleased to report a bicycling Century was achieved. It took all day, plus two hours of night riding to make it happen. George, your night riding training came in handy.
Final tally shows; 109 miles in 9 hours and 12 minutes. Average speed for the day was 11.8 mph.

6ood night from 29 Palms, CA.

October 12, 2007---Huntington Beach Arrival

Vistas & Vibes from a Bicycling Odyssey