SF to Spreckels

Rounding out the November portion of my trip, I started heading down the coast. Getting out of San Francisco was neither easy nor scenic, filled with hilly suburbs. Past Pacifica the world opened up, and I had the ocean. I've been riding along the Pacific for the last three days, and I absolutely love it. I camped 11/28 at Half Moon Bay, just over the dunes from the water. Sunset was good, but the play of light on the clouds after the sun went down was phenomenal. I met my first cycle tourist there, Bart the Belgian. "If you can find your way on a bicycle, you can find your way through life," he said. I dig it. On the 29th, I rode down to Santa Cruz. I felt like I was a monster possessed, spinning up hills in a large gear. A wicked tailwind certainly helps. I saw my first bobcat in the "wild", crossing highway 1 where Big Basin Redwoods empties to the sea. Soon, the ravenous hunger returned. Thinking I'd have to hold out until Santa Cruz, I was delighted to find the Swanton Berry Farm along the way. Jammed up and ready to go, I made it to Santa Cruz in the early afternoon. On the outskirts, the rich sulphury smell of brussel sprouts got me hungry all over again. The minty breeze of eucalyptus did nothing to abate this. In Santa Cruz I passed the amusement park, but saw no vampires (probably because the sun was still out). I went to the Santa Cruz Bicycles factory, and met again the roadie I talked to in Napa. He gave me a tour of the place - oh so many objects of desire there. I camped that night east of town, on a bluff over the beach. Friday, I rode through much farmland on backroads. They grow artichokes, strawberries, and celery, and artichokes and strawberries, and artichokes. I rode inland to Spreckels to stay with Natalie, a friend of a friend. We went out for dinner in Monterrey with a friend of hers and talked at length about their dissertation work on digital literacy and educational software. Natalie has been a gracious host. Moreso, her inquistive nature has led to all sorts of pickings apart of Josiah, which has been more fulfilling than the sort of "who is Josiah?" that typically results from new interactions. I've learned a bit too about a singular person, and have a richer life on account of it.

Today I'm headed down to Big Sur, and then down and down the coast to LA. I'll be away from computers until then. Instead, I'll be with the sky and surf and sunsets, and maybe some artichokes.