Hello Friends

This is our first posting on our blog so we can track our progress across america by bike. I hope you will follow along.

We left Green Valley on February 28 to drive to San Diego to meet up with our friends Dawn and Mike Harris from Washington. Russ and Mike have both had this strong desire to bike the Southern route and now they are finally getting the opportunity. Dawn and I will take turns biking/driving the motorhome.

We left to pouring down rain in Green Valley but weather improved the closer we got to San Diego.

The ride began by dipping wheels into the Pacific Ocean on March 1. We actually were at a beach close to Sea World. Mike and Russ rode 48.5 miles the first day with very challenging hills (upwards of 4000 feet marks) Also, it was very frustrating managing traffic through San Diego. They were really spent at the end of the day. I don't know how you train to get in shape for this type of riding.

We tried to toast the start of the ride with sparkling cider while we put the bike wheels into the Pacific Ocean. I set the bottle and glasses in the sand as I worked on posing the big picture, and all of a sudden, a huge wave came in and swept away the bottle and glasses. The same wave also got our shoes soaked. We retrieved the bottle and glasses and each took a small swig and tossed the rest. (It didn't taste to sandy)

The second day I rode with the guys and even though it was only a 29 mile ride the climbing, again upward of 4000 feet, really took its tole. However, we were done by noon and now can spend the day relaxing in the campground. (At this pace it may take us longer than expected to reach Florida.) But we keep reminding ourself that we are all about the journey and not the destination.

That is all for now. Denise