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…it was farewell to our friends hayley and rob in los olivos…off to another familiar face in San Luis Obispo.  After a late start, we ventured through endless vineyards and the rolling hills of the wine vallyes.  We knew we would be in for some cold/wet weather approaching the next few days, but a restful stay gave us momentum to beat the chill and battle mother nature for the HOME STRETCH of our journey. 

60 miles later, we found ourselves comforted by the funky college town of San Luis Obispo, home to Cal Poly University and more than 19,000 students.  Here we met up with a good friend, Jack Lamont from Merrowvista Summer Camp.  It was wild to see 3 camp friends in less than 24 hrs….so far from the white mountains we’re all used to.  Jack joined us for a delicious dinner of honkin’ burritos and pizza….that’s right…we sure can eat.  He then showed us to our deluxe accomodations for the night in his college dorm room common area.  We assured Jack that the close quarters were not an issue, rather a familiar sight on our trip.  Thank goodness for the indoor space because that night  brought a monsoon of wet weather and wind with temperatures dropping down.  The following day was no different but we had to pedal forward, battling the elements and hilly conditions.  It was on this day that most of us found ourselves talking to the headwind with intense fury, the occasional profanity thrown about and a frequent feeling of defeat….Seriously, the headwind was consistent at about 20 mph with gusts up to 20 or even 40mph.  As if we were made of hay, we were tossed along the highway, yet always away from the day’s destination.  We finally reunited in Cambria, a great friendly town tucked away in deep valley just before the famous Hearst Castle.  Here we were lucky enough to meet our saviour for the night Jim.  He was ringing the bell for the salvation army outside the grocery store and after a brief chat about mutual cycling adventures, he was kind enough to let us stay in his vacation trailer in the backyard.  We cannot thank Jim and his wife Tish for their endless kindness, sharing homemade butternut squash soup, oatmeal, stories , their adorable dogs (molly and belle), and their incredibly generous donation to the Merrowvista Scholarship Fund!!!!!

A comfy stay left us well-prepared to enter the remote stretch of coastline known as BIG SUR.  Grand in every measure, this stretch lives up to the hype we’d been hearing even back in New Mexico and Arizona.  Mid Morning we past the infamous Hearst Castle….neglecting to visit due to a tour charge of $30 per person.  The hillside view was sufficient and in fact, we were more concerned with the absolutely ridiculously hilariously akward and entertaining Elephant Seals abundant in one specific cove along the route 1.  For more than an hour, we watched in disbelief as these 1000 pound sea creatures showed off their many personalities and crowd-pleasing antics.  They would battle, blush with a fin covering their huge beady eyes, nuzzle up to a friend, squirm across the sand mounds, and belch unbelievably loud….even more boisterous than our Champion Belcher JeanMarie Gossard….we did not think the day would come….but she has officially met her match. 

The pacific continued to inspire and impress….the mountains meeting the harshness of the ocean with cliff and crashing surf.  We were lifted from the sea on roads somehow carved out of the mountain side, curving narrowly around the many inlets.  It felt like a video game, surely we could not be so lucky to be a part of this environment, part of the winding roads and power of the coastline.  We would battle the switchback curves than experience the most epic downhills slides, throwing us seemingly into the raging waves.  Yet we were never truly decieved by the land….instead it was the most real biking some of us had experienced…needing to replace the hinge on our jaws from too much awe.    Our ocean side lunch spot was alright…..are you kidding….it was the most stunning/heart-stopping view  we could ask for to gorge ourselves on the ever nourishing peanut butter.  the afternoon brought more of the same…..thousands of “Oh My Goodness” moments.  That night we ended up in the very very very small town of Lucia with maybe 50 townies, maybe.  A general store, restaurant, and lodge is Lucia, the whole of the town.  With no other options and a frost warning in effect for the night…not to mention Rica’s black-lung coughing/sickness….we gave in to a wonderful cliff-side cabin at the Lucia Lodge for the night.  Certainly a splurge for us, but well worth it for the view, MINTS on the PILLOWS, and a continental breakfast that surpasses all the rest. We must give a shout out to our new friends Jessica at the front desk who was a huge help and fantastic company while we entered our slightly usual debate about spending money.

The morning feast set us up for another PERFECT day of biking along the big sur coastline…..

To be continued…. more about our fantastic stay in Carmel!

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