The day after we left Holbrook, AZ the weather got progressively better as we drove west toward California. Snow and elevation changed into sun and desert. Sunglasses on & layers of clothing off! It’s a long ride and a huge contrast between northern Ohio to California. Amazing sights and differences in people and places along the way
Thanks to my neighbor Joyce for emailing a quote that struck me as very appropriate as we get into our 3 month adventure crossing and re-crossing the USA:
Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. (Helen Keller)
On Saturday, we arrived in Newhall (Santa Clarita), CA. We’re visiting Dave’s friend Ric, from Ohio University days. He has a great home in the canyon country north of Los Angeles. Sunday was a barbeque with another OU friend Charles. The women had a lot of fun staging a picture of the guys to match one taken in college:
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- 1978
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- 2013
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- Still got it!
On Monday, Dave and I drove down to Santa Monica to cycle on the Santa Monica Beach & South Bay Bike Path. I spend a lot of time on the Rails-to-Trails website, www.traillink.com, looking for trails to ride around the USA. This one was one of my favorites — along the beach on the Pacific Coast. We road 15 miles through Santa Monica, Venice Beach & Marina Del Rey. Great scenery & people-watching.
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- First we washed the truck to make it look like it belongs in CA!
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- It’s a popular path
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- Wide bike lanes with pedestrian lanes on both sides (if only walkers would use them!)
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- Santa Monica pier originally built in 1908
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- View from the pier
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- On the pier
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- Vibrant colors
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- Can’t get away from Route 66!
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- Venice Beach Boardwalk
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- Marina Del Rey
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- Pacific Palisades
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- I have to include a gull photo
Tomorrow we drive to San Diego. Grateful to Ric for providing such a nice respite after our days of cold weather on the road. Did I say there’s an outdoor jacuzzi that I’ve enjoyed four times? And the huge moon behind the palm trees?
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- Contrast this…
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- With this!
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- I’m liking it!
Joan – you have the “gift of blog” and I’m really enjoying your words and pix. I think everyone is happy that you’re sharing this adventure. I guess Dave is waiting until he actually starts cross-country on his unicycle before he updates… men! Keep on truckin’
there is something about california…wheeling along that path must be great. Curious how the west coasters take the one wheel??
Beach + Bikepath = great combo, especially for me! we were glad it was a cool day, not too busy. Dave got lot’s of positive reactions & we actually met another unicyclist. He said he had not seen others.Thanks for writing.
I like your photos! Did you see any crazy people on the Venice Beach Boardwalk? That pool looks very inviting. Lucky you.
Can you post a map of your anticipated route?
So do you start tomorrow? Post a map of your travel route. Be safe!
Tomorrow the RIDE begins. We’ve been tourists in San Diego since yesterday. Beautiful city. Love the views. I’m trying to post a broad route. If you go to Dave’s blog, he’ll be updating a google earth map as we go.
Joan, your picture of the jacuzzi looks a lot different than Dave’s.
I told him it’s okay to create humor at my expense if he also posts kind comments and good pictures of me. It’s important to keep the Support Person happy. ;-))