Vistas & Vibes from a Bicycling Odyssey

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

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Chrissy & Beat (Swiss name)

Here is the Cooking and Service team at the Old West Cafe.
Beat owns the business and does it all.

A hearty breakfast and then off to San Luis

Guess what?
I have a favorable wind this morning and 48 degrees. Perfect riding weather

Ready to Ride

Lot's of sunscreen is required.

Life Preserver Found

You would be surprised what can be found on the side of the road.

Dick Zimick & Hayden

On the ride up North La Veta Pass I stopped and visited with Dick.
What an interesting man and someone who is still going for his dreams. He was a rancher in Montana for fifty years. Dick, thanks for the water and conversation.
Take some time and relax, you are working too hard.

Up and over the summit

Yesterday was a challenging ride.
It felt great to finally see the top.
Oh by the way, it was an amazing ride down the other side.
I met a really interesting and fun couple at dinner last evening. More details at the next posting opportunity.
It's Saturday, and the road sign outside indicates 78 miles to Taos.
Let's have breakfast and hit the road.
Enjoy your day.

Friday, September 21, 2007

Interesting Road Sign

Spanish Peaks

Incredible vistas...

This image is for Cathy and all other Giraffe lovers.

Huerfano Cafe's star server is Teresa. Her aunt owns this fine establishment.

Downtown Walsenburg

This is a nice town with friendly people. It's also the county seat for Huerfano County.
I'm having breakfast at the Huerfano Café. Tasty bacon and eggs with wheat toast and a large glass of OJ.
Nicole, who along with her husband, owns the Anchor Inn Motel, said they have lot's of bicyclists as guests.
I suppose we bicyclists just love to climb mountains.

Good morning from Huerfano County, CO

What a beautiful day we have here in Walsenburg. Colbalt blue sky with gusty winds and currently 68 degrees.
Local library won't open until 10 am so my normal post will be delayed.
Today will be my first major mountain pass. Just ahead, about 20 miles is N La Veta Pass. Elevation is 9413 ft. My calves are burning in anticipation

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.