Beautiful and Busy

To Tomales, California -- 64.7 miles, 12.1 mph, 4150 ft.

This morning was our last with Don, Joan, and De Ann. Don has been in charge of food and was determined for us not to go hungry. We have been super fortunate to have friends and family join us along the way -- Meg’s family in Wisconsin; my family in Minnesota; April’s friends and family during the two weeks to Eugene; and my family again here in California. Thank you Laurie, Keeter, Patrice, Craig, Sharyl, Don, Joan and De Ann for providing much appreciated meals. Special shout out to Bob, Nemo, Jerry, Don, April, Kevin, Kirk, and Sue for pedaling along with us and for new friends Bobby, Andrew and Emma.

After our scrumptious pancake breakfast, we hit the road just before 9:00 with plans to meet one last time, thirty miles up the road. The story of the day was similar to yesterday, but without the kick ass tail wind -- lot’s of up and down and no shoulder. The ocean, shoreline, and golden hills were spectacular, though it was often hard to appreciate it as us “captains” were focused on the white line.

The “SAG” crew met up with us at a small roadside parking lot for lunch and an extended rest break. Dex and Kylie scampered down the hillside to the rocky beach to explore. They seem to have a limitless energy supply. We said our farewells knowing we’d all be together again soon.

Dex and Kylie far down on the beach

The hills for the rest of the day were ever present. By the end of the day, I was definitely getting a little weary. Up, down, up, down, up, down -- 4150 ft of up according to my GPS, which puts it among the toughest of the entire trip. The brief exhilaration of every drop was immediately followed by the reality of another climb. My derailleur, at least, is getting a hell of a workout.

Just before six, we finally made it to Tomales. We realized in Bodega Bay (where we had phone service) that the only hotel in town was full. There also were no camping options, according to our bike map, for another twenty miles -- something we definitely weren’t up for. Fortunately, a man in the general store said we could camp in the town park. It’s not officially allowed, but would probably be ok. With clean bathrooms and a nice gazebo area, we were set. So we'd unexpectedly have one more night in our cozy tent. T minus two -- two more days to home!