Day 21 – Lucia to Morro Bay (70 miles / 1064 total)

The day started rough but I got a lot accomplished today thanks to a fierce tailwind.

When I woke I went to fill my water bottles that I drank the night before. I was fairly thirsty so it was my first move. So I walk over and read the sign above the water spigot; turns out the water is contaminated and should not be consumed. This is bad, I am real thirsty and the closest water is 10 miles south. I actually debated stealing water from another camp site but decide to give the ten miles a go. I skip the morning jacket and sleeves as I want to avoid sweating. It was a little crazy as I wasn’t even sure anything was going to be open.

So I pedaled and in 10 miles I find a restaurant which is also dealing with the same water problem so they served me crystal geyser from 2.5 gallon containers. I loved not having any ice in my water. The waitress was nice and refilled my glass about five times and offered me tons of coffee even though the menu said refills cost extra. The omelet sucked but I ate it all.

Next on the menu was a 1000 ft climb followed by a 500 ft drop and then a 500 ft climb. Because they were early on and I had just had a large breakfast they weren’t that bad. Then I hit the tail wind of a lifetime – it was awesome. I rode it off and on for around 40 miles.

[Damn, something just crawled down my back. Hope it doesn’t bite. I can’t seem to find it.]

As crazy as this is I’ve actually camped in this campground before. It’s a zoo. There are 144 sites and all are filled up. All types of music is blaring and one site even has a piñata set up. I can’t wait for the festivities. And by “can’t wait” I mean go to bed in a few minutes.

There’s a family next to me in which the mom is camped out in a huge tent with a king size inflatable bed. She has two dogs in there and doesn’t want to leave (my table is right next to there tent).

So, I took apart and cleaned out my stove. It works better but not great. I’ve learned how it operates giving me better temperature control.

But that’s not all I got done, I also stopped by the laundry mat and washed my stained clothes. My towel was so dirty I feared it was just getting me dirty after I showered.

Today I met Patrick who is going to ride around the world and he is almost finished with the U.S. (this was his first country). Nice guy.

I met another guy who’s mom works at one of the Long Beach parks – very cool. I plan on visiting.

A word on the red dot. Often I am out of cell phone range. When this happens the red dot stops and is nothing to be alarmed about.

Towns passed:
Gorda (pop. unknown)
San Simeon (pop. unknown)
Cambria (pop. 6,232)
Harmony (pop. 0)
Cayucos (pop. 2,943)
Morro Bay

Day 19 trivia winners:
Russell S. had the most succinct and correct answer and also was able to use the word “boom” – nice.
Dan had an almost correct answer as well.
Kathy came over the top though with the most complete answer. Good job to everyone.

No trivia today.

Maybe this isn’t what Donavan had in mind but here are his lyrics to Catch the Wind, an appropriate song for the day.

In the chilly hours and minutes,
Of uncertainty, I want to be,
In the warm hold of your loving mind.
To feel you all around me,
And to take your hand, along the sand,
Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind.
When sundown pales the sky,
I wanna hide a while, behind your smile,
And everywhere I'd look, your eyes I'd find.
For me to love you now,
Would be the sweetest thing, 'twould make me sing,
Ah, but I may as well, try and catch the wind.
When rain has hung the leaves with tears,
I want you near, to kill my fears
To help me to leave all my blues behind.
For standin' in your heart,
Is where I want to be, and I long to be,
Ah, but I may as well, try and catch the wind.

Day 21 – Lucia to Moro Bay (70 miles 1064 total)

thanks,

sellers