Category Archives: California

Thank you Andee, Cary, and Nicole

Wednesday July 22, 2015, 115 miles (185 km) – Total so far: 9,634 miles (15,504 km)

Two days 115 miles On our second day in Oxnard my sister Tish made us reservations at the Embassy Suites at Mandalay Bay Beach. It was a very large room for the six of us and we spent a few hours sorting through our gear and discarding lots of weight for Andee to take home in the truck. We had a great time visiting, swimming in the ocean, and attending free happy hour at the hotel. Monday morning we said our goodbyes as Andee, Cary, and Nicole drove off in the truck and Tish back to San Diego (about 4 hours south by car). Thank you to Andee for the 6 weeks of driving support and Cary for 2 weeks. Also thanks to Nicole for the 1600 miles of being our cycling companion. For someone that only had 30 miles of previous cycling experience Nicole started the ride with a bang and never slowed down. Jocelyn really enjoyed having a partner that could keep up with her. Once again Jocelyn and I were on our own and had a very windy ride down the Pacific coast. We missed our riding companion Nicole. Several times this day I spotted a white truck riding nearby and thought “There’s Andee…” either on her way to shop for dinner, do laundry, or find our next campsite. She had the hardest job in the last 6 weeks as we just rode our bikes and she did the rest. We will miss her and Cary.

Since I grew up in Oxnard I have been south on the coast countless times by car so seeing everything by bike was a very different experience for me. The wind stopped and the sun came out around Santa Monica and Jocelyn found a 20 mile bike path on the numerous beaches we passed including the very interesting Venice Beach where I let my video run almost the entire time. What a very unique collection of people and activities!

As we neared Los Angeles International Airport on the beach we could hear all the planes departing directly overhead but because of the thick fog rolling in we couldn’t see them. It was all very eerie. We were soon in Redondo Beach at a friend’s house. Nansea and Pete used to live in Cocoa Beach but two years ago moved in with Nansea’s parents’ Esther and John right up from the Redondo Beach. Jocelyn went to school with their daughter Aja. We were very warmly greeted by them all and were served an excellent dinner and much conversation. We were soon exhausted from the long day and sound asleep.

The next morning we had an excellent pancake and fresh fruit breakfast. We discussed different paths to Long Beach to avoid the very busy San Pedro area along with the oil refineries in Torrance and Wilmington. Esther called the local bike shop that suggested taking Pacific Coast Highway to Long Beach then dropping down to the waterfront on a bike path. We followed this route and except for a few busy trucking areas transporting containers off ships it turned out well. We continued along the beach on this excellent bike path to Huntington Beach where we are staying two nights with my brother-in-law Jeff and nephew Perry.

A tent view by Jocelyn at El Capitan State Park.
A tent view by Jocelyn at El Capitan State Park.
We met Janet in Malibu who offered us her new drink.
We met Janet in Malibu who offered us her new drink.
This describes the drink.
This describes the drink.

1436982567019

Home again!
Home again!
Our group after 1600 miles and an excellent beachfront room compliments of my sister Tish.
Our group after 1600 miles and an excellent beachfront room compliments of my sister Tish.
Our view of the Anacapa and Santa Cruz Channel Islands. I grew up scuba diving these beautiful and bountiful islands full of fish, scallops, and abalone. Anacapa is only 11 miles from Channel Islands Harbor. I knew people who operated the fishing and diving boats and was able to snag a free ride whenever they needed help on a charter.
Our view of the Anacapa and Santa Cruz Channel Islands. I grew up scuba diving these beautiful and bountiful islands full of fish, scallops, and abalone. Anacapa is only 11 miles from Channel Islands Harbor. I knew people who operated the fishing and diving boats and was able to snag a free ride whenever they needed help on a charter.
Cary and Tish in front of Santa Cruz Island.
Cary and Tish in front of Santa Cruz Island.

P1090313__1280x331_

Saying goodbye after 6 weeks of cycling and support.
Saying goodbye after 6 weeks of cycling and support.
South along Pacific Coast Highway.
South along Pacific Coast Highway.
Surf's Up at county line.
Surf’s Up at county line.
A delicious lunch of steamed shrimp and clams.
A delicious lunch of steamed shrimp and clams.
Beautiful Malibu.
Beautiful Malibu.
Lots of nice beachside homes.
Lots of nice beachside homes.
Surf's Up at Malibu's famous longboarding surf break.
Surf’s Up at Malibu’s famous longboarding surf break.
Some houses are right on the water.
Some houses are right on the water.
A mid-day beer break.
A mid-day beer break.
A really nice bike path through Santa Monica...
A really nice bike path through Santa Monica…
...that just keeps going and going.
…that just keeps going and going.
Very interesting Venice Beach.
Very interesting Venice Beach.
What an interesting collection of people and activities!
What an interesting collection of people and activities!
Then the fog rolls in.
Then the fog rolls in.
Our hosts in Redondo Beach, Nansea and Esther. Also thanks to their husbands Pete and John.
Our hosts in Redondo Beach, Nansea and Esther. Also thanks to their husbands Pete and John.
Sometimes you must cycle through busy areas.
Sometimes you must cycle through busy areas.
A different kind of "Avenue of the Giants".
A different kind of “Avenue of the Giants”.
The Queen Mary.
The Queen Mary.
The bike path continues through Long Beach.
The bike path continues through Long Beach.
When I worked for Sea Launch in 1998-1999 I temporarily moved my family to Sunset Beach. Catalina Island on the right.
When I worked for Sea Launch in 1998-1999 I temporarily moved my family to Sunset Beach. Catalina Island on the right.
Taco Surf...an old favorite hangout.
Taco Surf…an old favorite hangout.
We rented this house right on Sunset Beach paid for by Sea Launch. What a treat.
We rented this house right on Sunset Beach paid for by Sea Launch. What a treat.
Huntington Pier, Surf City USA.
Huntington Pier, Surf City USA.
This is where Andee and I were married in 1979.
This is where Andee and I were married in 1979.
A treat to visit Jocelyn's Uncles Jeff and Chip, Andee's brothers along with Greg from Washington and Cam from Oregon in previous posts and my nephew Perry.
A treat to visit Jocelyn’s Uncles Jeff and Chip, Andee’s brothers along with Greg from Washington and Cam from Oregon in previous posts and my nephew Perry.
Getting ready for our daily ride...not!
Getting ready for our daily ride…not!
One of my old favorite hangouts throughout my California years is Blackie's by the Sea in Newport Beach. This is a view of the bar front...
One of my old favorite hangouts throughout my California years is Blackie’s by the Sea in Newport Beach. This is a view of the bar front…
...and rear.
…and rear.
My old shipmate from the USS Hoel DDG-13 early 70's is Ed. We still get together whenever we are in state. Thanks Ed.
My old shipmate from the USS Hoel DDG-13 early 70’s is Ed. We still get together whenever we are in state. Thanks Ed.

Untitled