Two Argentina

December 24, 2008  Mulege, MX to La Ventana, MX

As most of you have already read, we rented a home in Mulege, MX for two weeks and only rode for one of those days. We will definitely pay the price when we get back to riding.  We spent a lot of our time walking through the town and checking out the devastation from Huricane John that hit in 2006 and the flood that hit in August of this year. 

Flood waters were a few feet below the bridge

Hammock time in Mulege, MX

 There are several artisan shops in Loreto so we spent the day walking the streets and checking out the goods. I managed to behave myself and didn’t buy anything since the bike is already heavy enough.

Day trip to Loreto, MX

 I think being off the bike for 2 weeks has made us a little lazy. We opted to grab a ride in a van to La Ventana. This ride would have taken us probably 8 days to complete, but in the van we made it in one day.

Merry Christmas to all our friends and loved ones.

December 01, 2008 Santa Rosalallita, MX to Valle de Jesus Maria, MX

So far this morning has been tough. As we were packing up we noticed that one of the tent poles was severly damaged- probably from the strong winds the day before.  Also, as we were pushing the bike off our hill spot, one of the straps wrapped aroung the hub and ended up breaking one of the clips.   When we started to push the bike towards town, John noticed that we again had a flat tire- this time on the front. Today’s ride continues to be a hard ride with high temps (100 degrees) and a strong wind. By the time we pull into Valle de Jesus Maria we are spent for the day and are glad to be done.

December 04, 2008 Valle Vizcaino, MX to San Ignacio, MX

San Ignacio is a sleepy little village. We basically just spent the day taking care of things and exploring the little town some more.  Stayed an extra night.

Stacie getting some well deserved rest

December 08, 2008 Santa Rosalia, MX to Mulege, Baja, MX

The road from Santa Rosalia to Mulege is similar to what we have been riding for several days. There are lots of small arollos or dips in the road to allow for water run off when it is raining. The next morning when we awoke we met the owner of the camp site and he told us he had a house for rent.  We decided to take the house for the next two weeks and spend the time resting, relaxing and enjoying the local area.

December 12, 2008  Mulege, MX

After kicking around town for a couple days we decided we wanted to head to the beach.  We ended up staying at a beach swimming and kayaking as well as visiting with other people camped on the beach. John and I decided to put a little effort into the ride on the way back and we made some good time. As we were almost to town we had a rider pass us going south. We called him to stop and ended up inviting him to stay with us for the night at the house.  We also invited three other people to stay with us our first night in the house, sharing dinner and conversation. There are a lot of great people on the road and we have been fortunate to meet some of them.

House guest's

Swimming and Kayaking at the beach

November 17, 2008  Pio Poco, CA to Tecate, Mexico

Click images for larger view

The final climb into Tecate, MX was a winding, two hour sunbake, ascent of 2,500 vertical ft. 

Tecate, Mexico

Finally we are across the border.  Friendly people, great food and a real Mexican environment.

November 19th and 20th, 2008, Refugio Camp Ground at La Jolla, Mexico 

Beach at La Jolla, Mexico

We decided being camped right on the beach wasn’t such a bad place to be, so we chose to stay another night.

November 23, 2008  Rancho Ybarra Camalu, MX to Zarahembla, MX

We got an early start on the road.  We only have a short way to go for today’s destination. We had met Al & Nolo yesterday. They are an American couple who have lived in Mexico for 20 years and own a restauraht on the beach.

Gastons Restaurant

Stacie checking out the local beach

November 25, 2008  San Quintin, MX to El Rosario, MX

There are yucca plants dotting the landscape for miles, a few of them showing bursts of yellow blooms. We only had about 10 miles to go to El Rosario when we came across more road construction. The flaggers at both ends of the construction gave us lots of encouragement. 

Cactus everywhere

November 27, 2008  El Progresso, MX to Catavina, MX

Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends and family. We arrived at our destination of Catavina around 11:00 a.m. We found a nice place to stay at Santa Ynez Rancho and spent the rest of the day hiking. 

Baja is renowned for it boulders and cactus

November 29th , 2008  Punta Prieta, MX to Santa Rosalallita, MX    Total so far 2364 miles (3804km).

We decided to take a detour to the beach community of Santa Rosalallita and ended up on one of the most beautiful beaches we have seen so far on the baja. We found a leveled off area on the hillside above the beach, set up camp, dipped in the ocean and hunted for clams and muscles.  Life is good!

November 30, 2008  Santa Rosalallita, MX

Day off from riding. Instead we spent the day leisurely enjoying the area. We were up before sunrise and were rewarded with a spectacular sunrise.

click on images for larger view

November 1, 2008  Big Sur River Camp Ground, CA to Gorda, CA

The fog continued for quite a few miles, but when it finally did clear the views of the ocean were again astounding.

Big Sur

November 5, 2008  Lompoc, CA to Santa Barbara, CA

We started early with a beautiful sunny morning. A couple of climbs early in the day.  We stopped at Refugio State Beach for a break, another example of the great parks in California.

John and Andrew at Refugio State Park, CA

 November 11, 2008  Santa Monica, CA to Newport Beach Aquatic Resort, CA 

There are several marinas as we head south. Along stretches of grorgeous beaches there are beautiful boats.

A nice day to sail A coastal view

 November 14, 2008  Del Mar, CA to Point Lomo, CA     Total so far 1836 miles (2954 km).

Today’s ride was a very pleasant 25+ miles. A good portion of it was on bike ways wandering past beaches. We are both feeling pretty strong and healthy and really enjoying the riding.  We have been very fortunate to make new friends along the way and re-acquaint with friends we haven’t seen in a while. Life is good!   

Mission Beach Boardwalk

 For those of you who think they could never attempt a ride like this, think again!

Home for the night

October 16, 2008  Crescent City, CA to Prairie Creek Campground

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The majesty of the giant Redwoods is something you hold for decades.

Redwood

October 21, 2008  Standish Hickey State Park, CA to MacKerricher Beach State Park, CA

Our reward after Leggett Pass

 The road winds back and forth into little coves then dropping to sea level.  The ocean is magnificent.

View from Highway 101

Corte Modera Creek

Pebble Beach, CA

Carmel Mission

We are now at the camp ground and chowing down on caramel popcorn and licorice.  Trick or Treat!

Tuesday, Sep. 30, 2008 

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It took a little finess to fit every thing on the bike but we managed it.  Today we rode from Bellingham to Deception Pass.

Bellingham

Wednesday, October 1, 2008    Deception Pass to Quilcene.

We are getting a later start than we ususally do. It is 9:30 a.m. and we are usually on the road by about 7:30 a.m.  It’s turning out to be another beautiful day with a few clouds and some sun.

Stacie on the Port Townsend Ferry

October 4, 2008      South Bend, WA to Puget Island, WA.

We set out again this morning riding in the rain with head and side winds up to 25 mph. The afternoon brings intermitent sunshine and tail winds, but still lots of climbing.  This is a very beautiful part of the state that we have never been to before.

October 6, 2008 Astoria, OR to Nehalem, OR.

On to Nehalem, over a couple 500 foot climbs to the state park. We decided to rent a Yurt for the night because there is a big storm predicted.

Oregon Coast

October 11, 2008   Washburne State Park, Or to Reedsport, OR

We woke up to a clear and cold morning, dressed warm. We climed to the Sea Lion Caves with the Pacific Ocean awash in a crystal clear sun rise- unbelievable beauty!

View of coast near Sea Lion Caves

Stacie under sign

 

Saturday September 13, 2008, 35 miles (56 km) - Total so far: 35 miles (56 km)

We decided to get some miles since we have been off the bike for about a month due to getting ready with the house and all. Our route this day is north of Bellingham to Ferndale.

The Lummin Foot Ferry

Whatcom County doesn’t only have natural beauty to offer but also cultural diversity. We attended a local festival in Ferndale that was honoring Mexican/American Vets. There was great Mexican food and music to be had by all.

A great Day with excellent weather.

Stacie had her last day at work Friday. Her boss and office gave her a nice send off. We have been busy moving our “stuff” to a container we rented.

We picked up our bike from R and E Cycles in Seattle. Really great shop and thanks to Scott, John and Smiley for the great service.

We did a test ride around Seattle with Patty and Brian, great friends! We spent the night at their place and struck up another friendship with Joe who happened to have worked with some old friends of mine in the ski business.

We have a mess in our basement where all our riding gear is spread out. I put together a preliminary packing arrangement on the bike. I am sure it will change as miles pass by.

I will be leaving my job in another two weeks and we are looking forward to having the house empty and rented soon thereafter.

The weather can be a tad wet in October along the Pacific coast so we would like to get going.

Stacie and I have been fortunate or even blessed by having an opportunity to live in one of the most beautiful places on earth, Bellingham, Washington. We have raised three children over a three decade stay in Bellingham which allowed us great jobs, snow skiing, fresh and salt water access. So why are we choosing to leave on a bicycle to South America?

We have been bicycle touring advocates for almost 20 years, beginning with touring the state of Washington, then a ride to San Francisco and later a trip from Washington State to Maine. We believe it is the most independent lifestyle an individual can subscribe to. Bicycle touring affords an inexpensive means of touring that is highlighted by sights, smells and sounds one will not experience in an automobile or even on a motorcycle.

There must be something in our blood that allows us to take a step as big as a bicycle tour to South America. I say this as one of our daughters lives in Hawaii, her twin sister lives in Salt Lake City, and their older sister lives in Argentina. All of our children live a lifestyle that one could easily say is “outside the box”. Even my mother was a pilot instructor in the Navy during WW2. Well not to be outdone, Stacie and I have made the decision to ride. Not for a few hours, or days, weeks or even months but possibly a year or longer.

I am a middle aged white guy of 56 years. My wife and life-long companion, who I refer to as my young bride, is a forever 23. And we are heading south. South through Oregon, California, Baja, Mexico, Central America and if all goes well into South America. Argentina!

Our plan is to be leaving around the first of October. Wish us luck!