Pictures!

If you only have 10 minutes, then scroll down and watch the video. But, if you have a little more time, here are three slideshows of more pictures from our trip.

Road signs take on a new meaning when you are a biker:

We had to get creative with our campsites:

Our bikes went a lot of places:

US Transcontinental bike trip photo video by Pat and Jess

Whew! We have done it! We challenged ourselves to pick 100 of our favorite photos to tell the fascinating story of our 90 day journey. So, with great pleasure and lots of smiles, Jess and I sifted and sorted for hours to select just the right 100 pictures from the thousands we took along the way. A grueling and difficult process for certain. After all each moment we captured is memorable and beautiful in its own right. Nonetheless, WE DID IT! And with what flare! If these photos convey even a fraction of the experience Jess and I marveled at on our 90 day adventure we will be thrilled. So please allow us to share these moments with you now…





The video is approximately 10 minutes long and does have sound so please turn your speakers on and enjoy!

Most computers are slow to upload the information. Tip: if it doesn't play smoothly the first time...play it again!!!

Hanging out in LA

A few days in Los Angeles and my brain has sped up.  Instead of processing the world at 10-12 miles per hour, it has caught up with the faster pace of traffic around here.  Readjusting to the world.....Showering everyday, clean clothes, those sorts of things.

Pat is healing well, but is not a very patient patient.  She only has a splint for her broken wrist (no cast), but is eager to discard that and downgrade to a smaller brace already. Until then, I have been cutting up her food, opening bottles for her, and washing her right hand.  All of which drives her crazy since she can't do those things herself. We did get some vet wrap from the pet store so now her arm is a bright blue, which is much more cheerful than the bland white stuff.

We reached LA several days ago and I still have not completely adjusted to sleeping in a bed and having space to stretch out. Those sleeping bags can be pretty restrictive and train you to lay still or do the rotisserie-thing to roll over. Also strange to cook fresh food and use several pots. There are so many dishes to wash!

We are going to spend the next few days exploring California - north and south, except by car this time. Pat is returning home to Chattanooga in a week, so we are going to try to fit a lot of sight-seeing. We plan to work on organizing our pictures and posting them online this week. No promises, but will let you know when they are ready.

Continuing to L.A.

Before our journey was so rudely interrupted by the previously described vehicular accident, we were biking our way down the California coast to Jess' place in Los Angeles. Today, our ultimate goal is still the same though our approach to the travel is a bit less intense. My cushioned seat back is in its full reclined position and my feet are kicked up on the dashboard of the sporty rented minivan. Haha! Apparently it was the only vehicle for rent in Fort Bragg capable of hauling our bikes on a one way trip to LA.

I say 'our' bikes but really it is Jess' bike and my pile of scrap metal and salvageable parts. The full steel frame of my bike is completely bent in half and the pedal arms are all twisted up. The back fender and rack is trashed as is the left rear saddle bag (pannier). I haven't inspected all the gear yet but I already know I owe Jess a new cooking pot. Regardless, it is all thrown in the back of the minivan.

Jess is having to do all the driving, poor thing, since my now diagnosed broken wrist is in a temporary splint. The radiologist called yesterday to advise of the break. We were already on the road and had to swing by a second hospital for treatment. The wrist will still need some follow up tests and casting in a few days. Anyway, I probably shouldn't drive with Vicodin on board. My bruises are becoming more impressive each day. If you use the slightest imagination you can even see the imprint of the SUV's side mirror on the back of my left arm!

I was planning to take the actual mirror home with me (it was left behind at the crime scene) but the police asked to keep it for the part number and as evidence. The young police officer impressed me with his determination to track down the hit n run driver.

Well, neither of us has/had any interest in continuing down route 1, so we are skipping our way through California vineyards and valleys. Ultimately we will sleep in LA tonight.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Luck

Being hit by a car is a dramatic event and it is a statement that has
been repeated in disbelief dozens of times in the past 12 hours. Luck
- both good and bad. It was a straight section of road with a wide and
clean shoulder. Pat was several feet from the lane. It was the
afternoon of a clear and sunny day. Seems like great biking
conditions. No steep slope. No sharp or blind curves. No cliff. No
guard rail. No fog. No heavy traffic. Not riding in the car lane. No
bridge or strong wind. No obvious distractions for a driver...... Bad
luck to be hit. The good luck is that there was a nice embankment and
shoulder to land on. And we were riding near each other. And her
injuries are minor. And that there are good people in the world who
stop and offer help and put their jacket under your head when you are
laying on the ground.

Bike Trip is Done

First - Pat is okay. She is only bruised and nothing is broken. Second
- Pat was hit by a car yesterday afternoon along Route 1 the costal
drive. It was a hit and run by a large SUV. She was pushed over her
handlebars. Tuck and roll into the embankment. She never lost
consciousness so unfortunately she remembers the entire event. I was
ahead of her and did not see the impact but was close enough to hear
and run back. Some very nice people stopped and called 911 for us.
Fast response from emergency services and there were 5 emergency
vehicles there inc police investigating the crime scene. We went to
the hospital - first time in an ambulance for both of us. The nurses
and doctors did their thing and lots of xrays were taken. Pats left
side is very bruised and banged up. Lots of abraisions and her left
wrist is very swollen but not as much as her left ankle which is
massive. No major damage though. Simply amazing considering the
vehicle and speed. The security guard drove us to a local motel for
the night.

Redwoods

We have spent much of the last two days in awe of the huge redwood
trees as we ride past them. There have been several scenic byways
through redwood groves and we take them all. Majestic and old and
gigantic. I will be coming back here again soon.......There are two
significant differences to this portion of the bike trip. First we
have come across as many bikers in our two days on the Cal coast as we
saw crossing the entire country. This route is pretty popular. Second
the ocean is a new factor. It has been foggy in the mornings and
freezing cold all day long. It has been warming up slightly as we head
south but the blistering hot desert of Idaho and Oregon is long gone.
Thats okay though. I gladly take the redwoods over the sagebrush and
do not mind the enveloping mist that comes with them.