It's been one week since we left Ohio. Hard to believe I could fit so much into that time. Heck, hard to believe I could fit so much activity and beauty into two days. Today matched and complemented yesterday perfectly. After a restful night's sleep (after we found Ed and made porn shadows on the wall), we awoke and got ready for our ride today. We knew what was coming, 'cause one of the groups had already ridden it! Seems that they were too busy looking at the scenery and learning about sea creatures to find the campsite. So they rode 15 miles out of their way and ended up leaving their bikes at an inn and catching a ride back to the campsite on the van. Our group calls the The Tour de France (Tore de Pants) group, since they are the fastest among all the groups (and also one of the most spread out!).
The ride started with a small warm-up climb and by the time we reached the top of it, the sun poked its head around the corner and took away some of the morning chill. Then we hit, after a short curvy downhill, a wonderful twisting and turning 4.1 mile climb. If this had been here three days ago, more than half our group (The Self-Serving Bias) wouldn't have made it. But today we sang all the way up and talked and even cheered (yes, cheered) every time we went around a curve and realized that the road was still going up. Chip also kept us entertained with his 90 decibel belches. Of course, after the climb comes what everyone looks forward to on the way up: the ride down. And this one certainly didn't disappoint. It was a bit scary going around the curves, but the feeling was so exhilarating and gave such a rush. And the weather was yet again absolutely perfect.
After a few more hills (and downhills), we coasted into the inn where Tour de France had left their bikes. As we were the first ones there, we spread out and took in some of those bright and beautiful California rays. In fact, everybody took the chance to work on their tan. The lunch truck set up lunch and we ate a wonderful meal yet again. I'm going to miss this food when we leave. As usual, after lunch we were the first group to get out on the road. We stopped once along the side to take some shots of some sea lions on the rocks. Unfortunately, some of the guys in the group got a little over-anxious and scared a lot of them away.
About 15 miles later we reached our second destination, the visitor center for the Hearst Castle, after a short stop at a pier across the street. The castle was absolutely incredible. I expected to be underwhelmed, like in Las Vegas, but this wasn't just excess, it was a museum. The house was built to fit all of the Hearst's large pieces of art into (with a little bit of extra, of course). The art inside and out was incredible. Large tapestries, whole ceilings, large paintings, fireplace, archways, tables, silver, everything was here, including a breathtaking view of the mountains and the ocean. The tour guide was a bit cantankerous, but you could tell she really knew her stuff.
After the tour it was a short four mile ride to our campsite, another gorgeous beach front camp site. I got yet another shot of a sunset for Kim (with me in it), but only after I sprinted to the beach to get it. Then I sat for a while with Dr. Tim Burkholder and saw a sea lion bobbing about 40 yards off the beach and some ducks diving through the waves. Then I came back, took a nice hot shower and ate yet another scrumptious meal.
Then Randy and I took a walk down to the beach to watch the stars and listen to the waves crash on the shore. It was great to stare at the ocean and suddenly see white as the wave broke against the shore. I walked around for a while, then met up with Jeff and John from Taylor and we talked and decided we'd stand in one spot until the tide came up. We waited and waited and were about to give up when we were almost washed away!
It's been so beautiful all day and tonight was indescribable. I've never felt closer to this earth or to God. And I enjoy getting to know the guys in my group, although I have noticed that I get annoyed if I'm not close to the front, which is selfish of me. I'm going to try and change that. Now I'm going to read a little Cyrano and then I'm off to bed. Farewell 'til tomorrow.
(aside: the rain we had a couple nights ago was the most rain they've had here in a year and a half) Ɔ
Tunes: over the rhine - when i go (acoustic)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Hey there T., I've never really met you, probably introduced once, but I've heard alot about you. I'm a fellow graduate of the Naz' and also a J-term bike trip alumni ('93). My brother pointed me to your site, so I've enjoyed reading through your posts from the trip. I need to find my journal and start adding them to my blog as well. I'm curious though as to how you come into contact with Bill Bean, my other brother!
Post a Comment