McGrath- An act of kindness

Got so lucky last night! Showed up to McGrath state park at sunset to find that the entire area had been closed for over a year! Luckily an employee of the park was coming in for his shift, he was dressed in street clothes so I was a little sketched out but he called the park host and let me in! I was relieved to meet Shawn and Geneva the park hosts, incredibly welcoming and kind, I got a free shower and we talked for a while about this and that. It's great to know there are still nice people out there that care about other people, and nice to see it first hand. Had they not let me stay I would of had to ride 20 miles to the next park in the dark! I feel blessed today. Thanks Shawn and Geneva, and Mel. 

Pictures from the morning at Refugio. 

Louis from South England

"I've done a minimal amount of dips and push ups that means I can eat pancakes, that's how it works."

Big Sur!!

Instead of taking a rest day yesterday I biked 70 miles through the Big Sur (most elevation of the trip), nbd. It was such a beautiful ride riddled with coastal cliffs, various shades of blue ocean and humpback whales! Despite the brutal 1000ft+ climbs throughout the day, it was an amazing day. Blasting down those hills at 35mph with the ocean on my right was  a dream come true, and so fulfilling. It's hard to describe the feeling you get when you reach the summit of a monster hill and then go down, I'm afraid if you've never done you can't comprehend the emotion. Had a grand ole time at San Simeon St. Beach with Louis, Mima, John, and Ryan telling stories about the day.. Some animated stories about being rejected wifi passwords, the laugher was rolling! Oh and elephant seals!

Santa Cruz - Sunset Beach

What a long day yesterday covering 105 miles from SF to Sunset Beach about 17 miles south of Santa Cruz. I used a bus for 30 miles to get out of SF but then biked 75 to the camp because it was such good riding! I passed the Lighthouse Hostel that my friend told me about in Pescadero and it was so perfectly quaint and positioned that I wanted to stay but because of the time I was making I could not! The road is full of these decisions and you know which ever you make will change your life so much. Because in that moment if you stay you will meet countless people with stories, but at the same time you will miss something else so you must live and be happy with the path you choose and know that it's the right one because it's the one you chose. So I passed into Santa Cruz around 2:30 and met Kristin who was a local born and raised and she gave me some good info and we reminisced about touring and travels, she was very kind to point out local roads which I ALWAYS take. Nothing like having a local point you in the right direction, but always I follow my heart. Cruised around pacific Ave before heading south again to my camp, lots of culture, coffee, books and surfing in that area. So then I went to camp and met a couple from Holland robin and Shira and Jared from Michagan . The camp provided me with beautiful sunsets and soft ground, I love that. So this morning I've met jack a local to the area and we rode about 10 miles together and he's given me info about roads to avoid traffic, and bike tales (my favorite), and also how he is expecting his first grandchild! Congratulations Jack, it was wonderful to meet you! Having coffee and found a free book to read which seems perfect for my life right now, I've never believed in destiny so much before this trip. Oh, and this is the strawberry capital of the world! So there are strawberry fields far as the eye can see, and the smell of fresh berries is intoxicatingly fresh! 

San Francisco, alas!

It's been a few days since I've posted because service is shotty in Northern California! The last few days have been so beautiful! I'm now following route 1 and the hills wind up and down the cliff sides just like you'd see in the car commercials! It's tough, and grueling and a bit frustrating at times but there is always the ride down, and the view from the top which makes it all worth it! Yesterday climbing a mountain I almost gave up because I skipped lunch and was depleted but a cyclist came along and gave me a granola and I was saved! San Francisco is so beautiful and coming over the Golden Gate near sunset was absolutely stunning, I'll post a picture so you can see for yourself! It's starting to feel weird, like a brand new trip because almost all the people I have been riding with and meeting are finishing in SF, but I continue on to San Diego! So it's also exciting to know I'll be meeting a whole new crew in the southern part of California, another adventure. Although I am sad to see my friend Willi go, because he can always make me laugh and his smile lights up a room, what a nice soul, he's pictures below. Also, a campground named standish hicki had the most unbelievable swimming hole when I saw it I immediately said "I'm staying another day", I love having the freedom to do this! Oh and I met two nice girls from Seattle, Hillary and Bri I did not forget y'all! Nice girls out on a one day trip, that seemed to be happy and have life figured out. 

Avenue of Giants

PRiding through the red woods again today, slept in them last night what a great experience that was. Today I make for camp right before the famed "Legget" climb to 1800 feet from 1000, and then all the way down to 300 feet. That's the agenda for today/tomorrow and I will be in San Francisco this weekend! It seems like it's flying by! 

Arcata

Unknowingly walked into a bar called Humbrews last night to find out they were streaming a phish show in a back room on a projector, score! This town is so quaint and they have a public square were everyone congregates. Everyone seems to be so happy and friendly I love it! Just when I didn't know where I was going to sleep last night around 10 pm after walking out of a pizza show some guy asked where I was staying and offered his yard to camp, thanks Tofu! 

Some more photos from yesterday:

Random Photos

Cali

8 days later and I've reached the Cali border! Not done yet... #SeattletoSanDiego

Jesse M. Honeyman State Park.

Made it last night to outside of Florence, OR, where I set up at a biker camp in the state park mentioned in the title. It's 5$ and you get a shower and to meet with other bikers, to hear stories and experiences from all over the world and turns out a lot of people have the same destination as me. Met people from Australia, France, Colorado, and Canada all heading in the same direction. We camped and had a fire and hung out, this is the exact experience I've been looking for, to meet people and hear about the adventure. We are taking a well deserved rest day today and checking out the sand dunes, and hopefully my first dip in the pacific even though it's chilly! All is well, tomorrow we head for Coos Bay/Banden area as we begin the second half of Oregon. Pictured is the camp, talk to y'all later. God bless, and thanks for the support. 

Sincerely-J

Made some friends!

Met two bikers that are on the same route and schedule! Nice to have some good company, set up camp out side of tillamook behind a church! Sleeping good tonight! 

Oregon Coast

Astoria/Seaside

Morning!

Made it to Astoria, OR last night what a beautiful town and full of kind people. It was the weekend of the #Regatta2015 Festival in Astoria so it was alive! I went to the wet dog cafe/Astoria brewing company and had a few cold pops they were delicious! I made a couple friends there Kim, and Renee that I broke bread with that was lovely and also met a local bartender Vashti that was very like minded, we enjoyed the sunset together. I set up camp in the Astoria Pioneer Cemetary which was deeded to the town in the mid 1800's. Over 500 buried there but only about 20 marked. This morning I passed through Seaside where they are holding a beach volley ball tournament, I must have fallen in love 100 times over. The town is set on the edge of the mountains which surround the beach on all sides. The way the fog rolls over the mountains to the water, and when the sun rises it's truly breathtaking.

Videos : Captains log.

Check the Facebook for video updates! 

Mountains

OI How many people can say they've bikes the Olympic mountain range? Well at least one because I just did it. I'm on my way in to Aberdeen Washington to complete my first day on the road, and it was the most mentally, and physically trying day of my life. After conquering one mountain, another would come and completely demoralize me, and another, and another. Gonna get a good stretch in so I can hopefully ride tomorrow but right now I can hardly walk! As my grandfather would say, "suck it up kid". On a postive note, I did run into a fruit stand which saved my life. I bit into a peach and I forgot all about my trials. And there was a fresh spring that I filled up my canteens with! That was the highlight of the day. 

-J

Bremerton Fairy!

Taking the fairy over to Bremerton, then it's on to Aberdeen! First day of biking is about 80 miles. It's chilly out here on the Puget Sound, but the sunrise over the water/Seattle is a sight to see. Fair well Seattle. 

Seattle: Part 2

Hello y'all,

Took the Burk Gilman Trail down to the Hiram M. Crittenden Locks that control the flow of water to the Puget Sound and got to see how the operation works which was very cool, and efficient! Surrounding the locks is the Carl S. English Botanical Gardens which I love me some gardens, was very quaint. Took the bridge over the lock to see the parks on the opposite side which included Discovery Park, Magnolia Center, and Fort Lawson. The Discovery Park provided a perfect skyline photo which I'm sure many of you have seen if you've seen a picture of Seattle and Fort Lawson is an abondoned military housing station which seemed very eery in the middle of all that! After that I made my way down to the Gas Works Park which is pictured, where I relaxed for a while on a hillside overlooking Seattle. Gas Works was my favorite stop of the day. On the way back to Brad's I stopped at Magnunsun Park which turned out to be amazing as I caught the #PianoInThePark for the second straight day! A man plays in a discreet park location in front of the water it was very serene. Brad cooked dinner tonight I'm excited, time to go! 

-J

Seattle

First day in Seattle was absolutely amazing! West Seattle is my favorite, it reminds me of a much nicer I-Bay with sand beaches and mountains in the background. Seattle center is incredible with so much going on around the Space  Needle. My saddle bags fell apart with all the weight so I had to purchase new ones , which was a financial set back and I almost broke my I phone! It's a realization that this trip won't be perfect, but the small mishaps will make for tremendous stories and memories that make it perfect in the end. The wonderful family I'm staying with have two boys that are fun, interesting and funny. The icing on the cake was there is a block party on my first day! The food is amazing to cap off about 60 miles on the bike today, and some guy has a kegerator.. His name is Tim, I like Tim. Feeling blessed in this wonderful place. 

-J