Pacific Coast 1st 2 days

Pacific Coast Highway at Crystal Cove

I've uploaded photos from the 1st 3 days of biking.  link to the web album I'm new to sharing pictures on Picassa so if your reading this and can't view the pictures send me an email and I'll add you to the sharing list I haven't written online since getting off the train because I've met so many wonderful people every day that I've had little down time. The kindness of all the people I've met has been incredible. I started meeting nice people as soon as I got on the train in Rochester and the positive encounters have been continuous ever since. I have kept a hand written journal with notes and used this to put locations and captions on the pictures.

My first day I biked from Fullerton California to Dana point (about 55 miles). It was an easy 6 mile ride out of the train station to the Coyote Creek bike trail. Once on the bike trail I passed a constant stream of bikers and runner along the slightly downhill ride all the way to Seal Beach. From Seal Beach I would ride the Adventure Cycling Coastal route (very easy to follow and safe biking roads despite the high traffic due to dedicated bike/walking paths or bike lanes on the roads most of the way).

Only 15 miles into this 3000+ mile trip I had my first temporary biking companion. I met a very nice local doctor (who specializes in infectious disease) who was out cross training for an ultramarathon. He had to turn around after a few miles as he had a run planned with another person but gave me some advice and wished me well.

I stopped around 4pm in Dana Point and bought $1 of unleaded gasoline for my new camp stove and went to check in at the Doheny State Beach Campground. I found the campsites but couldn't find the registration desk. Norm Hough was outside working of his RV so I asked for directions to the Check in desk. He and his wife Fay invited me to pitch my tent on their site. Then they invited me for dinner. Norm and Fay have traveled extensively across the USA since they retired. They shared their stories and gave me some great advice about camping that will come in handy as I head out into the desert next week. The next morning they invited me for coffee and breakfast treats. I shared some of my Mom's homemade banana bread (they send compliments to my mom for her baking) then packed up for the next days adventure.

Day 2. Dana Point to Cardiff by the sea (43 miles).
Setting off alone, only 5 miles into the journey, I came across Vicki and Warren (college students from Berkley studying Envirnmental science and Biology respectively) who had fully loaded bikes. Then while in Camp Pendelton we picked up 2 more local riders (also college students...unfortunately I can be bad remembering names) who helped us pick our way through some of the busier parts of town. I enjoyed spending the entire day riding with this group until I reached what I thought was going to be my destination (Norm and Fay recommended South Carlsbad State Beach). The Park Ranger at Carlsbad informed me that if I biked 7 miles further to the San Elijo State Beach they have special Biking rate of $6 (instead of $35). I'm all for saving money so I rode there and said goodbye to me new friends as they continued on to a friends house about 10-15 miles further down the coast (see picasa pic of myself with Vicki and Warren).

With only about an hour of daylight I setup camp quickly then cooked for the 1st time with my new multifuel stove. There was a beautiful sunset (see picture) with views of the ocean from my picnic table as I ate dinner then off to bed early. The ear plugs came in handy as all the coastal campsites are close to the road and the train tracks. I'm thankful to Ben and Dianne for my Christmas Gifts of a comfy camp pillow and sleeping bag liner (gets pretty cool at night) as I'm sure I wouldn't have slept nearly as well without them.

Weather has been perfect both days. Mid 60's and sunny.
The only downside of the trip is being away from my family and friends.
-Jeff