ALPINE TO JACUMBA HOT SPRINGS 47 Miles

Saturday 3/6 day starts with looong climb out of Alpine then a 3 mile climb on I8 scary but not as bad as I imagined and not too much debris on the shoulder. Sag stop is farewell to califoo- he goes home tomorrow. Weather cold (40s?) cloudy seems to be getting colder. A lovely 3 mile descent into Pine Valley with a reward at the end of a grilled cheese sandwich and hot chocolate at the Pine Valley diner- a food combination I would generally avoid but oh did it taste good!! Put on rain gear and booties to stay warm-More and more and more climbing. LOTS of border patrol trucks zooming here and there -went through a roadblock. Picture of the wall is included- (I'm biting my political commentary tongue) - an impromptu stop at La Posta diner - here is a picture of Ms.Penny Nickels (yep that's her real name)and the Duke. Started raining after La Posta - last 17 miles rain, fog, wind but Katie and I put our shower caps over our helmets , turned on all of our blinking lights and carried on in fine fashion. Margaret - it was an Iberico ham afternoon but maybe a little colder- I thought of you the whole way! Arrived drenched and cold at Jacumba Hot spring Lodge, a motel with its own strange (je ne sais quoi??) charm??

some good daily quotes are emerging - today's was Carols description of hills---"terrain features" and Amys "this isn't a death march"

Linda's food is made with love and delectable!!

WE ARE OFF

Fri 3/5 San Diego-Alpine, CA 34.5 miles
Up at 6 after a restless night- warm oatmeal ,fresh fruit at the van in the parking lot. The big weigh in- only 3 lbs. over and she let it slide - whew! 8am group take off, single file down the road to Dog Beach.Verklempt the whole way!! Foo , Barney, Sheri and lot of family/friends of the group meet us there. Photo opps galore, paparazzi all around for the rear tire dip in the PACIFIC!!!!

We start the ride, have a Sag stop in a lovely county park at 12 miles, master a few hills and make it to Alpine by 2 pm-logging in 34 miles. Weather was fantastic 45 at the beginning of the day and and shot up to 63,sun, not much wind. Talk of rain and wind tomorrow but we will deal with that then. We have begun! Foo in Alpine tonight to visit Rocky so I get to see him for dinner tonight and then another send off tomorrow

THE GATHERING DAY

but before gathering yet ONE MORE emergency trip to REI. Foo does not think the duffel bags will work. As we enter the store with my full duffel , our salesman Brian from yesterday took one look at us and walked away!

Once the bag change is done we head to SD to meet in the hotel. 3 hour meeting with the group, tension , anxiety,emotion, excitement not far below the surface for everyone. The consensus is LET'S GET GOING!!! But not until tire repair class with Carol and lovely banquet at the Holiday Inn- perfectly cooked salmon, crisp veggies and a frisee salad- "at the holiday inn"- go figure! Roommate Katie from Wisc is just as nervous as me and was at the same REI yesterday, buying a new suitcase!!

THE LAST LEISURE DAY

Weds.3/3 one more emergency trip to REI and the 100's of acres of blooming ranunculus in Carlsbad , a lovely Peruvian lunch in Del Mar and then a stroll to the hand gliding cliffs of DelMar. Notice hand glider with his dog (my favorite part!) Packing, unpacking ,repacking to try to meet the 50 lb WT limit on bags.

BERNIES BIKE SHOP

Tues.3/2 It all begins at Bernies! Went to OB( as the locals call it) to check on my bike. Roger who owns Bernies was there with calm words of encouragement ...and there was my bike , reassembled, tuned up and roaring to go. WT (WomanTours) will pick up bikes from Bernies on Thursday and deliver to hotel. Heard his horror stories, one bike has not arrived, being shipped 11/2 weeks ago , another , in a fancy bike box was damaged in transit. Made a trip to REI for a bike bag and additional duffel bag purchase. Just need to get on my bike and get going or I will start rethinking all of my equipment/clothing choices-oooh those second guesses are not good!

Bill, Roger remembered you!

THE BLOOMING DESERT

Monday 3/1 More adventures today with a trip to Anza Borrego State Park in Borrego Springs for a hike in the desert which is starting to bloom. Extra treat- stag horn sheep and coyote sightings. Hiked into Palm Canyon where total desert surrounds groves of giant, prehistoric looking California Palms- only palm native to California. Talked to bikers on an Adventure Cycling 7 day loop ride out of San Diego. I seem to be suceeding at staying calm, being a tourist and trying not to think about my giant adventure ahead!!

SAN DIEGO ARRIVAL

2/28 Sunday Arrived midday for a few days of R&R (won't I need that later?!) with friends Barney and Sheri. Lots of bikers everywhere. Spent the afternoon hiking around Cabrillo National Park in Point Loma before heading to surfers paradise, Cardiff- by- the- Sea. Shot from Point Loma shows a thumbnail of first day of biking -- the sea, the city, the mountains. Gritty details to follow on Friday!