Well today is the second day into the big trip and so far things are as good as it could get. I couldnt have asked for a better first day on the road. Estela and I set out from Livermore at 10:00 towards the San Francisco to meet up with Dan, Eric, and Adriana (sorry if I spelled your name wrong Adrianna). The night before the weatherman predicted a huge rainstorm but obviously he didnt know I was starting my trip and rain would not have worked for my schedule. So as things usually work out in my world it was clear blue skies and nice warm temperatures. As I crossed the Golden Gate Bridge I looked back at The City and said goodbye for the next year or so. As we worked our way up Highway 1, which is one of the curviest smoothest sections of roads in California, I quickly realized it takes a little finesse to maneuver a bike with 200lbs of luggage and a Brazilian girl on the back. I quickly decided that Eric and Dan would just have to wait for me at every stop since they were at least half my weight. I will admit that every time Dan would whip past me on my little Honda I had to push the little devil off my shoulder that was urging me on to get on the gas. Though on one really good stretch of corners the devil got the best of me and as I was leaning into one particular corner my foot started to drag on the ground, I quickly realized I had better slow it down and that thought was echoed by the girl behind me who promptly slapped my helmet at the next straight away. After 4 hours of really good riding we stopped off at a great little roadside grocery store and sat for about 40 minutes and basked in the sun reminiscing about the great section of pavement we just rode. The group decided it was time to head back to San Francisco if they were going to make it home at a reasonable hour. So we exchanged hugs and wished each other well and each headed down the road.
That night Estela and I camped outside Mendicino at a state campground, which she thought resembled a scene from a horror movie (which I kinda had to agree).
This morning I woke up and tried waking Estela, who I am finding out isnt much of a morning person, so after several unsuccessful attempts of waking her I decided to go for a jog. Yes you read it correct I went jogging. I decided I had better do something on this trip to stay in shape so I decided to try this jogging thing and I will say I felt pretty good. By the time I got back Estella was up and packing up camp. As we were finishing up the Park Ranger came screeching into our campsite in her full size pickup and promptly got out demanding I owed her more money for staying there. I explained to her that the sign in the front said bikes were $3 per person and even though my bike resembles the family truckster from National Lampoons Vacation it is still a bike. Well after several rounds of arguing I conceded and offered to pay the extra $14 but alas she would not take it and said I would have to go to the front gate and pay which I gladly agreed to. Unfortunately as I left the campground there was no one at the gate so I guess I owe the State of California $14. The weather today was not as nice as yesterday but luckily no rain except for a few sprinkles here and there. But as always the California Coastline never ceases to amaze me with the beautiful ocean views on the left and redwood trees on the right. We even managed to sneak some of the tourist traps in such as the drive through tree and the giant Paul Bunyon and Babe the Blue Ox.
Well after a healthy dinner of Jack In the Box (now you see why I am jogging) we are camping just north of Crescent City. I am expecting it to rain tonight so the tent in nice and cozy with the two of us and all of riding gear.
Well it feels good to be on the road and I am definitely excited to see how road ahead of me is going to change me and the way I look at life.
