tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41504694367535985212024-02-07T00:01:35.252-08:00Going South By BikeI am off to explore the Americas
my bike, myself, and whom ever I so meetRobertohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712579829585624733noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150469436753598521.post-74772907062186488932011-02-06T12:51:00.000-08:002011-02-06T12:51:12.319-08:00Guadalajara to here. finding falafel in Mexico<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Another month! and the times I have had in that month!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I left Guadalajara with goodbyes to new friends, and preparation to say hellos to even newer ones</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I thought this to be really cool: every sunday in Guadalajara, a main street is totally closed off to cars. The day is called recreation day, and thousands upon thousands of people are ridingh bikes, running, walking, rolarblading and having a blast! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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My next destination was DF -- Mexico City<br />
To get to DF I was going to have to go through the "most dangerous" state in Mexico, Mitchocan. was it really a risk as it sounded?<br />
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The first night after Guadalajara found me sneaking into an un occupied lot along the edge of Chapala Lake (the largest lake in Mexico), to camp. <br />
prior to camping that night I had been at the water experimenting with a new fruit-vegtable-thing called chyote. The person that I had bought it from assured me that I could eat it raw; I found it to be discustingly bitter and could not believe that people eat this thing. Only when a man took pity on me and offered me some food did I discover that I had been had; the chyote must be cooked, and then it is delicious.<br />
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Day two saw me ride to mazamitla, the last town in Jalisco before Mitchocan. upon entering the town, I decided to seek out a internet cafe to find a hostal. At this in ternet cafe a man was noticing my bicycle that I had left outside, I decided to make a sloppy introduction in Spanish. I ended up getting a free and wonderful place to stay out of it, as well as make some good friends!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David, the youth of the family, and myself comparing bikes</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With reccomendations from the Purkiss family, I made my way to Morellia with a bit more bus than bike, however, I met an avid cyclist of the area and soon had discovered that I had arrived in the gem of Mitchocan for riding. That same day I arrived I started on my way towards some major hillclimbing and some hotsprings. I camped on the side of the road on the way up. The hotsprings were nice, but even nicer was the next day when I met Ruth family who took me in, and together we went to the monarc butterfly migration! It was just amazing!!! Branches BENDING because of the weight of butterflies! how crazy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">branches bending!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth and the family!</td></tr>
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After this I made my way to mexico city by bus, and met Martin and Isa in the bus station who were headed to the same place.<br />
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Upon arriving to DF, it was realized That I wanted to leave DF.<br />
I stayed for three nights, and then went to Oaxaca by bus.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martin and Isa in the Subway station</td></tr>
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I took the night bus to Oaxaca and arrived in the morning, giving me all day to ride about, I made my way to the local ruins and decided I would camp out there.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monte Alban </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboRt80YOJy81MO-MfG6gjMwi5aeMRt9M8tUIyc1HQjvscxb3ciq5lDl-OakSAnMFJ1YE1i4-OsG3LwR7erWqEuh5xW7o2MN0cPM7C05cOhDHSHc9vdC8Y0lsNutDgSMhaGz4cVodrXWw/s1600/IMGP0437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboRt80YOJy81MO-MfG6gjMwi5aeMRt9M8tUIyc1HQjvscxb3ciq5lDl-OakSAnMFJ1YE1i4-OsG3LwR7erWqEuh5xW7o2MN0cPM7C05cOhDHSHc9vdC8Y0lsNutDgSMhaGz4cVodrXWw/s400/IMGP0437.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">good morning Oaxaca!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmpKqYWSfhMLBg1omYH6HBNP3rKqo_d8a66E8D5gf6eywWCfCkwJXucMH7kIrc69HzWVgkXQXFgo0r6YD1_I3LmieRFcn-y5ZRZyMb50W85lhU5Ipdk4bWPPZwl13P5SILp57FQlTukk/s1600/IMGP0443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmpKqYWSfhMLBg1omYH6HBNP3rKqo_d8a66E8D5gf6eywWCfCkwJXucMH7kIrc69HzWVgkXQXFgo0r6YD1_I3LmieRFcn-y5ZRZyMb50W85lhU5Ipdk4bWPPZwl13P5SILp57FQlTukk/s320/IMGP0443.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The next day, by reccomendation of my cuz Denise, I checked out this Giant tree. after which I continued riding to camp in the bushes 40 or so km later.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2P_v22QK26oZ5uU8aoNlM1IBu2W21uc7vk3U3BFUlO51qKahyJucivpiMkvkABBSN3Moel4OEEU2UnE_L99Dg5JAvNQcTDFt0h037PyavrRQY49-ygtaZPY1LDyVaIXHGBrE2aIih0lY/s1600/IMGP0446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2P_v22QK26oZ5uU8aoNlM1IBu2W21uc7vk3U3BFUlO51qKahyJucivpiMkvkABBSN3Moel4OEEU2UnE_L99Dg5JAvNQcTDFt0h037PyavrRQY49-ygtaZPY1LDyVaIXHGBrE2aIih0lY/s320/IMGP0446.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41RO2y2Hm2NUK7vP0lYdTvxQXVqt78WSnE7T3JfeYCRe3WRk97-dzqPuwbAceiqBum09-TCOxUzJFu-Ldcl69hIL1z_5D3yP41CpxAvE9jUPiXfqLd2hnWFYBO1Df51aGuSZWkWOMmFo/s1600/IMGP0447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41RO2y2Hm2NUK7vP0lYdTvxQXVqt78WSnE7T3JfeYCRe3WRk97-dzqPuwbAceiqBum09-TCOxUzJFu-Ldcl69hIL1z_5D3yP41CpxAvE9jUPiXfqLd2hnWFYBO1Df51aGuSZWkWOMmFo/s320/IMGP0447.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty dang big tree</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPpBJlxUOp5H-VzuqgYGuiKxsmVgf67Apqm3g2EFSH6l4I-IAGwFrnMYTKIVpXf5Ltsw_ukY7QHDc08ikfObi2gpWA4dSeIANNrbfC6Zxus0b4H-a8HEPUOYkeNQvvAAwyro8WFE6MRA/s1600/IMGP0448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPpBJlxUOp5H-VzuqgYGuiKxsmVgf67Apqm3g2EFSH6l4I-IAGwFrnMYTKIVpXf5Ltsw_ukY7QHDc08ikfObi2gpWA4dSeIANNrbfC6Zxus0b4H-a8HEPUOYkeNQvvAAwyro8WFE6MRA/s320/IMGP0448.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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The next day, I continued on my way towards chiapas by bicycle. the next few days entailed of my getting fed by strangers a whole lot more, getting given cold beers on the road, and doing mezcal tastings! how fun!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQRtshIVXpiiq2I2eQHw989iuwq7AJeSIFHMY4yF9sr31a7EaF_ACasiDUgLgd_8B8oGKMrA6X5q6z-MVrAsloz7mnDYueQHhJh7ihYlKig9LJoHb7HIU_baPf05nTRmbWkJr9-V0_KM/s1600/IMGP0449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQRtshIVXpiiq2I2eQHw989iuwq7AJeSIFHMY4yF9sr31a7EaF_ACasiDUgLgd_8B8oGKMrA6X5q6z-MVrAsloz7mnDYueQHhJh7ihYlKig9LJoHb7HIU_baPf05nTRmbWkJr9-V0_KM/s320/IMGP0449.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzcwC4rA6jIu6MOv3lfJGpqDsWAPQT3ktKylzyqeT_lVCLYgylKXxvqscfI1OAhQxXr5YZQsQ0t_udHbo4Udn-ZBDy8k23MgU5mylgzhidRmkRvW_9njOH-ebXY_wyHN4bLpJqsGnROk/s1600/IMGP0451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzcwC4rA6jIu6MOv3lfJGpqDsWAPQT3ktKylzyqeT_lVCLYgylKXxvqscfI1OAhQxXr5YZQsQ0t_udHbo4Udn-ZBDy8k23MgU5mylgzhidRmkRvW_9njOH-ebXY_wyHN4bLpJqsGnROk/s320/IMGP0451.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">good morning in the field of Agave</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0hhL5czlX6dChCpYBhqx_AEzFE3ydXGedgv_J6kQbizQG-jpIuw9QDXIGqsmubzKRMjH98-5ia_H_iMcKSDzvhQ2zfKArFa2plVJfDxMhgQDrqCvUVxMpZl5Mvy1FptTB1tfwSJ6-KI/s1600/IMGP0452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0hhL5czlX6dChCpYBhqx_AEzFE3ydXGedgv_J6kQbizQG-jpIuw9QDXIGqsmubzKRMjH98-5ia_H_iMcKSDzvhQ2zfKArFa2plVJfDxMhgQDrqCvUVxMpZl5Mvy1FptTB1tfwSJ6-KI/s320/IMGP0452.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99cYWZbK7qvrY1_rRczIYKe3mKibFCFGwfnVw6UEu1LGfxkPiEinFoB3NOXtKMGhOwJKjGQkjqugYvTxo5OhfcknpESwgZQnOY0diDBNitTnJFmAheDYzZzpNMsArRgtg6_irKwA1vAo/s1600/IMGP0453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99cYWZbK7qvrY1_rRczIYKe3mKibFCFGwfnVw6UEu1LGfxkPiEinFoB3NOXtKMGhOwJKjGQkjqugYvTxo5OhfcknpESwgZQnOY0diDBNitTnJFmAheDYzZzpNMsArRgtg6_irKwA1vAo/s320/IMGP0453.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvzTO_1bDB2vBlEeElc49kUxCofozv42UeeHCvdKIL-vQLoA2qlwyDoJE-Cv7OPHxc38srU2Wi9TO126MWc9e2-aulAHwG2Nv_6ReO7fh2wmQ47FY7280rHdZ7sGfZUkFfn7rQLcEXSk/s1600/IMGP0459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7xxwUINfBwCp8ZfDT3qqmed6s6duTg_dogEPYkGVuKhCAPCceK4GhUs-j4zI9gaOviQUFhGg1f8bTWxHVWbIz0EWAtLQKE9BLpaBnlGjEvb8tItvRYOFbS94RhtkNDweS7FhFQAnYF4/s1600/IMGP0460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7xxwUINfBwCp8ZfDT3qqmed6s6duTg_dogEPYkGVuKhCAPCceK4GhUs-j4zI9gaOviQUFhGg1f8bTWxHVWbIz0EWAtLQKE9BLpaBnlGjEvb8tItvRYOFbS94RhtkNDweS7FhFQAnYF4/s320/IMGP0460.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I stayed with a family 60 or so km prior to selina cruz</td></tr>
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After riding for near a week I arrived into Selina Cruz, what I thought would be a beautiful beach town, but it was actually just a port/oil refinery town! I made a point to leave hastily. I took a bus to san cristobal de las casas where I planned to chill out for a while. woof, explore, and learn a bit of spanish.<br />
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I arrived! and imediately upon arriving I went to work finding out about the woofing. I was told I could work and get fed, but there was no room in the woofer dorm. On my way out to maybe find a hostel, I met a girl who was telling me all about her cyclist friends in San Cristobal. after a conversation, we went to a party for one of them, where I was almost imediately hooked up with a free place to stay, free bread, and some real cool cats for friends. <br />
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for the next two weeks until now, I have been making great new friends, and meeting many old ones again. It has been pretty magical! <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Here are some pictures of San Cristobal de las casas and the farm!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-ODVKSKkHiAIqQPLUoU3SynekIv8ogisKq4r0rnnbrWKCh154rhZ86ySXM3GRkDtVdvhesNQ4gISZTw8fP8KD2utN0sWQmKSxnJWBFLlG5WPsvi2C8Qpwde2yGuox8uyPnK3TlG_uHI/s1600/IMGP0520.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-ODVKSKkHiAIqQPLUoU3SynekIv8ogisKq4r0rnnbrWKCh154rhZ86ySXM3GRkDtVdvhesNQ4gISZTw8fP8KD2utN0sWQmKSxnJWBFLlG5WPsvi2C8Qpwde2yGuox8uyPnK3TlG_uHI/s320/IMGP0520.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary and Rodrigo</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcaYaz1DHXm7qkckuV7q3dghu-_JHJ0dqru-YDsOWX3FgqVNvbsTjI829XZf3XxbfH0Dq0fPqualqzVwz-sSwBHTLDtbg8NpJzkZSBPI67gQwwUX92oSkXXE3ZbRkTPpBtSwoLoUQvfQ/s1600/IMGP0521.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcaYaz1DHXm7qkckuV7q3dghu-_JHJ0dqru-YDsOWX3FgqVNvbsTjI829XZf3XxbfH0Dq0fPqualqzVwz-sSwBHTLDtbg8NpJzkZSBPI67gQwwUX92oSkXXE3ZbRkTPpBtSwoLoUQvfQ/s320/IMGP0521.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXOuq-aqn3D2sxihNLAvtAuhM1QWyQiVNYaiKxQ7imH68ii983H4OxDcKVUbocALD9N3YpJrXnJn4cwFg_LHxtnMclA_o_ILo_wD-Z5hrOEq6OJUKpCph-hypQnfHYaTLwnysFpzRgxk/s1600/IMGP0522.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXOuq-aqn3D2sxihNLAvtAuhM1QWyQiVNYaiKxQ7imH68ii983H4OxDcKVUbocALD9N3YpJrXnJn4cwFg_LHxtnMclA_o_ILo_wD-Z5hrOEq6OJUKpCph-hypQnfHYaTLwnysFpzRgxk/s320/IMGP0522.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cathedral o n the hill was the only spot with sunlight on it</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4iSMASS_4ZD1g7b50Tr2_eGvjbEsU5yTzCBkcdcotTPFAhl2K7Ku43jY6w2DvqGEv4bDMh2rHRUyVL3Lopxvusnvc1EiMmXBVSj7CjiBzK4IsQ85Sewfd8YRQVxfopsiKZqIze70XAU/s1600/IMGP0534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4iSMASS_4ZD1g7b50Tr2_eGvjbEsU5yTzCBkcdcotTPFAhl2K7Ku43jY6w2DvqGEv4bDMh2rHRUyVL3Lopxvusnvc1EiMmXBVSj7CjiBzK4IsQ85Sewfd8YRQVxfopsiKZqIze70XAU/s320/IMGP0534.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the view out of my windows!! super beautiful!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ttxkVO2X43jn-hU_CCj-Zqyv5sbW5RgZ076XcYVwJKwPVpvQRqUpBtD4vP-RAUBimyy7YrvUFBqysp5TTlQrygsZXScNKkG1nVZdrokL8Y6KcR8KaiUg2ICYCwDsWqvhOrcgDYfOZqA/s1600/IMGP0525.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ttxkVO2X43jn-hU_CCj-Zqyv5sbW5RgZ076XcYVwJKwPVpvQRqUpBtD4vP-RAUBimyy7YrvUFBqysp5TTlQrygsZXScNKkG1nVZdrokL8Y6KcR8KaiUg2ICYCwDsWqvhOrcgDYfOZqA/s320/IMGP0525.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lizard on my pack!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">for the graff diggers!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have made myself a cribboard! boy has it earned it's worth!!</td></tr>
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<br />
For the first weekend two other woofers, Mary and Rodrigo from Chile, and I went to Palenkae to check out some ruins. none of us really wanted to pay the entrance fee, which would have enabled us to see the main ruins, but I had been told that the resatored and main ruins were only three percent of the entire city, and that you were able to explore the jungle as well.<br />
This trek was amazing! imagine, walking through on a path of what are visibly building blocks, and along all sides of the trail are falling walls, clear structures (or what were structures) dripping into the dense of the jungle. <br />
As well at Palenke, I met many friendswell at Palenke, I met many friends from prior experiences on my trip, along with some new ones as always. In particular, I met Max from Belgum for a second time after Sayulita! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the lost temple! after walking through the jungle for more than two hours, we came accross it!! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRRUa1P8Rs_FcAFHvqL1ltqyyuIJ30OYS2E3Jh9SIUpW7T2mKFzCkT2zGpwMCvZ6LmHIHZwbmvYd7mMTPMSiuMyKbjJyFZUKP8vFslzPsEeikwzLM37pj82VFX2-oH6jzWEQvPUqg6tU/s1600/IMGP0499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRRUa1P8Rs_FcAFHvqL1ltqyyuIJ30OYS2E3Jh9SIUpW7T2mKFzCkT2zGpwMCvZ6LmHIHZwbmvYd7mMTPMSiuMyKbjJyFZUKP8vFslzPsEeikwzLM37pj82VFX2-oH6jzWEQvPUqg6tU/s320/IMGP0499.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> that crazy max as we climbed a waterfall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a beautiful waterfall!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some mushrooms!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a second water fall!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecvYumIxWkr-RhiIt0srmGhrYvgXIQFv_7iV0-KTx7IsxceXQf7DonNd_9i-bYC0XHtCTIX7yevpVsreZ7MQTQeTQl_Ww1hNGLrnOSIeWT0sNpk7_4NtuiMLk0xrOKVi-ZiS5gZv6VbY/s320/IMGP0470.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the roling hills in the distance</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So now that I am done here, I am headed to Guatemala, checking out some old growth rainforests, more ruins.. ect!!! Talk on the flip side!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rob</div>Robertohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712579829585624733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150469436753598521.post-26868826063739524412011-01-02T00:43:00.000-08:002011-01-02T00:43:42.637-08:00Ha ha, Baja! 3 2 1 Guadalajara<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On November 22, 2010, I woke up in Mexico for the first time on my trip. By request of many for my safety, and probably my own thoughts of danger, I caught a bus to Ensenada from Los Angeles to avoid the apparent dangers of Tijuana. The first section brought me only to the next town. I was shocked at how scary it was to ride on minimal to no road shoulder; especially after being cushioned by the plentiful space on American and Canadian roads. I rode what must have been 40 km on this rather scary road, and another ten through dusty dirt-roads due to construction of a seemingly random series of bridge building projects. arriving into the next town, I was feeling very lucky to be alive, after having what I thought were many glances with death; therefore, I decided to hitch-hike a short distance before settling to camp. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6P97WH_-lHOJc9DvU3zFh-_lMM6BQ_D2bRK8CVKauVvqIOeBFnt52s3JT1ogZELkspxZAZvyP6AmB1F4NEZ7XUmJpCF_0tb3txZPRRpW2ZSbdsm38Ua7P3IITxBdFczA9HZvD7l-iYo/s1600/IMGP0265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6P97WH_-lHOJc9DvU3zFh-_lMM6BQ_D2bRK8CVKauVvqIOeBFnt52s3JT1ogZELkspxZAZvyP6AmB1F4NEZ7XUmJpCF_0tb3txZPRRpW2ZSbdsm38Ua7P3IITxBdFczA9HZvD7l-iYo/s320/IMGP0265.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">that teeny tiny shoulder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This pattern of "bike -- hitch -- bike -- hitch -- bike", continued for the majority of the baja.<div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>top speed: 72km/hr (really fast!!)<br />
decided name of Bike: Ballena<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXycyu7ajmcSnm2335mroc2fWbLP-MwEmmkkbThBJR9g3tmqQvelLD-WXyY8Q5TwMjdxxbc1T-zRjA_4EaQOleoq_O2u2PiKZ7mcruxUe9dMdDr3ftbtKuEF9cN8vP43BLZaKnWzEKRg/s1600/IMGP0266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXycyu7ajmcSnm2335mroc2fWbLP-MwEmmkkbThBJR9g3tmqQvelLD-WXyY8Q5TwMjdxxbc1T-zRjA_4EaQOleoq_O2u2PiKZ7mcruxUe9dMdDr3ftbtKuEF9cN8vP43BLZaKnWzEKRg/s320/IMGP0266.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giovani from Ecuador, the first other biker I met on the Baja<br />
just out of Guerro Negro</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKtKPnvq3lRA8oOQnytt3x_u6Gs4Yp_-XlwxQmF79150f_fzFpU9dm0RccEfWzKqkyjASA-d3g7MhxB_RlwU3ZRklJJpvHmhYgwVM4LoBieStlWZDINLlBtpJn_YrZrIPczCb0_MCRls/s1600/IMGP0267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKtKPnvq3lRA8oOQnytt3x_u6Gs4Yp_-XlwxQmF79150f_fzFpU9dm0RccEfWzKqkyjASA-d3g7MhxB_RlwU3ZRklJJpvHmhYgwVM4LoBieStlWZDINLlBtpJn_YrZrIPczCb0_MCRls/s320/IMGP0267.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This strange sight that Corona has started using whales as advertising<br />
mascots may have been what inspired the name of Ballena.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-y6RZL2TLLSGeBKICXyVSTFuGWuQolWRB1rfGrQYBqnenjuY774uIRaVQuK5kBw6_ia9e8HqoHTf1XQCWyoWx1_BGEwtiEKC7_xo91u6UZUzXpr79znxQVxQx-9BcEzGvCcQyLc0w25c/s1600/IMGP0268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-y6RZL2TLLSGeBKICXyVSTFuGWuQolWRB1rfGrQYBqnenjuY774uIRaVQuK5kBw6_ia9e8HqoHTf1XQCWyoWx1_BGEwtiEKC7_xo91u6UZUzXpr79znxQVxQx-9BcEzGvCcQyLc0w25c/s320/IMGP0268.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomas, Jonas Nadi y Roberta<br />
I hitched a short distance with this very non english family<br />
it was very good for my spanish, and I learned of Los Cafres<br />
an Argentine reggae band who I am listening to as I write this.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div>From where I got dropped by this family, in Santa Rosalia to arriving in the next town of Mulegé that day, two strange things happened. One, I experienced a parade complete with cage of 10 or more live tigers and a shirtless man dancing on top, and I also met more fellow touring bikers than I thought I would see on the entire coast of North America. I am sorry I have no photographic evidence of the random tiger concentration.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUanlj9QgNQ7DCNaVIzrhWgujOFT2qLCOPYjMWDt_C5C-_sABhfnolRpTdWLwyav9j9UTax36X_frXvQYUPe4uhN0uaao2JgSFXwJK52p7UWJwLBmCa4NkUKLW5jw-JsgkbbzbSMm32A8/s1600/IMGP0269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUanlj9QgNQ7DCNaVIzrhWgujOFT2qLCOPYjMWDt_C5C-_sABhfnolRpTdWLwyav9j9UTax36X_frXvQYUPe4uhN0uaao2JgSFXwJK52p7UWJwLBmCa4NkUKLW5jw-JsgkbbzbSMm32A8/s320/IMGP0269.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">showing the contrast, (above) barren, to (below) 7 other cyclists<br />
for me this was crazy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJZeKtP8zf0q5dmrxSvRv9sdCB_mnK5HYh2JLO1HFV_wvOcaqInpkoItAKBFiG_t7SJOmKnPzGLOFEWFZCmC1s1xNJgIcD8CebV5HVutCB8-whfrVoQI6pNkYnjSFcfqnuv3PlZNLFls/s1600/IMGP0276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJZeKtP8zf0q5dmrxSvRv9sdCB_mnK5HYh2JLO1HFV_wvOcaqInpkoItAKBFiG_t7SJOmKnPzGLOFEWFZCmC1s1xNJgIcD8CebV5HVutCB8-whfrVoQI6pNkYnjSFcfqnuv3PlZNLFls/s320/IMGP0276.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">plus me makes 8 cyclists</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyM4aOqEpOCvHVDNPdJEolxUxhjTd6BNpg3cIzlxOikUt47MiEV-1h-gL6VApedX90NtMRfxf80NbNZhaNBf-IXn7ZrJYqftSFvf8aKQr_U4XsL3qgfKGB34KnE_bHroLk02KZ4zU5Qto/s1600/IMGP0271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyM4aOqEpOCvHVDNPdJEolxUxhjTd6BNpg3cIzlxOikUt47MiEV-1h-gL6VApedX90NtMRfxf80NbNZhaNBf-IXn7ZrJYqftSFvf8aKQr_U4XsL3qgfKGB34KnE_bHroLk02KZ4zU5Qto/s320/IMGP0271.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we all rode to a beach 40km out of Mulegé the next day<br />
really nice</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtVZyaFRkwxCKRlI7G8ZWccsiSiKxZBrZGzF79rPWcKnwffMItGcY61fjpKhuXpNmeMe3dTR18Zd_ImGDuiMvQxGCRUkh-twMBJl5Y2nNIJ9hB995OvsF0EtJ4mr5B0I9C6OtowtPVk0/s1600/IMGP0272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtVZyaFRkwxCKRlI7G8ZWccsiSiKxZBrZGzF79rPWcKnwffMItGcY61fjpKhuXpNmeMe3dTR18Zd_ImGDuiMvQxGCRUkh-twMBJl5Y2nNIJ9hB995OvsF0EtJ4mr5B0I9C6OtowtPVk0/s320/IMGP0272.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">am I back on the island??<br />
these broken islands make me think of home: beautiful</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsUIy-aC7N7PFKrJHMuET_HM3oIYTjsETbJ03fB4Dlb4Fk5y1XbQc9Bai6v-ZUli6AAaP5yRWbY8PPQLwNe8xIQTbkY1Sbg4E0tb3J9miAUWDaylZNaBAPyo3nt06E1tChV7UR6eNcLc/s1600/IMGP0287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsUIy-aC7N7PFKrJHMuET_HM3oIYTjsETbJ03fB4Dlb4Fk5y1XbQc9Bai6v-ZUli6AAaP5yRWbY8PPQLwNe8xIQTbkY1Sbg4E0tb3J9miAUWDaylZNaBAPyo3nt06E1tChV7UR6eNcLc/s320/IMGP0287.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">riding into the camp site</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGLQOYDh7PA7VQK0tPpMfGGQNDXYw82WwO6PfczWTTFfbRUwYGoAPM86T6lZr6aREg9jAwqhAfSXyx3gTflaJORf5CjNHnOqeWV7X1tXTJZK_ExnbHHchoDOpZR2MXuxdW9cdxPxnTz8/s1600/IMGP0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGLQOYDh7PA7VQK0tPpMfGGQNDXYw82WwO6PfczWTTFfbRUwYGoAPM86T6lZr6aREg9jAwqhAfSXyx3gTflaJORf5CjNHnOqeWV7X1tXTJZK_ExnbHHchoDOpZR2MXuxdW9cdxPxnTz8/s320/IMGP0275.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After this beach we got to, there was a decent amount of climbing, the down hill and beer at the bottom were refreshing. I separated from the group after the beer, they wanted to do less of a day than I did; I was on a mission to catch Brendan, one of the group who had moved on before the rest of us. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The first night brought me just past loretto, I was forced to turn in by darkness. I found a little restaurant on the beach, where I hoped to grab a hot meal; the restaurant was closed, but the family who owned the place was around. I asked if I might be able to stay on the beach for the night. I was very willing to pay, however, they were quite insistent that I did not, and gave me hot chocolate too. I believe that my exchange came later when the two children of the family came around to share some popcorn with me (which I had wisely bought in Mulegé) and I helped them out as they practiced their english and I practiced my spanish. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyShiMkg6yA6r3oTmrcyNO-yquLbDDoVESGWHbwGahBIHA7ACvtt-1ZfQ6mEu8IZ5H8hSE7LuEB1j2QhZ-GuqDQef2DW4ZwD5SvK2kePRUr29O0bHpXWxr60ppOp6OWfa142PeGwhIqMU/s1600/IMGP0286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyShiMkg6yA6r3oTmrcyNO-yquLbDDoVESGWHbwGahBIHA7ACvtt-1ZfQ6mEu8IZ5H8hSE7LuEB1j2QhZ-GuqDQef2DW4ZwD5SvK2kePRUr29O0bHpXWxr60ppOp6OWfa142PeGwhIqMU/s320/IMGP0286.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Francisco, Jesus, Maria, Yessenia and Ramiro<br />
at Vistal Mar</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlUmXp6v5RehSwjp1LGZ4ps6-ADXS1QaV1tA_ZxFisxiUV0U1wOUnx3cH22wh2TA-u_aWtMeh8Cv8Ww1JvaAga5gNIM-83Z0mFdsAry7h4VGPOvo1J0hl51BwM7hRiOguOcV09NsKkWI/s1600/IMGP0283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlUmXp6v5RehSwjp1LGZ4ps6-ADXS1QaV1tA_ZxFisxiUV0U1wOUnx3cH22wh2TA-u_aWtMeh8Cv8Ww1JvaAga5gNIM-83Z0mFdsAry7h4VGPOvo1J0hl51BwM7hRiOguOcV09NsKkWI/s320/IMGP0283.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">real beauty of a sun set</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocB6cDpBhscye_bMsxq-e5MQqcfo1VXtSiZXbiiiCcazIXpPslXUkTQDvh3UeEy9nBQh6zt5fR39QkoXUCeiO7Z7ZRPSWgAxjEw4K__K-mWndWNx4Qcz2cgih0BmEUeUKJMTLp4YMudc/s1600/IMGP0285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocB6cDpBhscye_bMsxq-e5MQqcfo1VXtSiZXbiiiCcazIXpPslXUkTQDvh3UeEy9nBQh6zt5fR39QkoXUCeiO7Z7ZRPSWgAxjEw4K__K-mWndWNx4Qcz2cgih0BmEUeUKJMTLp4YMudc/s320/IMGP0285.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
From Vistal Mar, I rode about 100 km and still no sign of Brendan! I knew that he could not be too much further ahead because he liked shorter days than that, so I though I would hitch hike a little to try and catch up so I could have a camp partner for a night. I got a ride real fast with a road cyclist from Los Cabos (he was driving his truck, not his bike). I was astounded that we did not see him even after 100km. I asked to get out because I wanted to do at least a little more riding, and it turned out that I missed him by about 10 minutes. I did however meet four other cyclists, one of which is a former FKSS alumni like myself!! crazy small world. we found a free place to stay that night thanks to the kindness off a taco restaurant owner.<br />
The next day we made our way to La Paz: the final destination on the Baja.<br />
Almost immediately after learning about the morning nets that some marinas have, I went to the clubhouse and made it known that I was available to crew to the mainland. At the marina, I met travelers Matt, Nydia, Dave and Jo; all of whom, with myself made the crew of one Captian Jim's "Kanga". We then made our way to La Cruz, just 20km North of Puerto Vallarta.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUT6S1selvD8Vi41-06CuYOqbcmkQDuMdamOUCV2pS1w_fCxpLg3HU2DZx9w84r_OBe5m6qf4FJDyFIqZrB2_bNacEYaH_D2Za7bd7OtTiVGpJsjeIIe5Ei3gboJ4d5RI52kyriJBpSg/s1600/IMGP0288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUT6S1selvD8Vi41-06CuYOqbcmkQDuMdamOUCV2pS1w_fCxpLg3HU2DZx9w84r_OBe5m6qf4FJDyFIqZrB2_bNacEYaH_D2Za7bd7OtTiVGpJsjeIIe5Ei3gboJ4d5RI52kyriJBpSg/s320/IMGP0288.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good morning Marina</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0Ola_w7pEX8GsbOK-PtM4bkHcjWN4ha-vpLQjDuoAjwN7Bw2abE-tPKIzIcI27gBb1VlXQ1Z7sqgU1ayaJijoKoL4gJ1pc9mvaplveh1lWYpZXckckZz7pMP-W8NnLBz6wNa9NOMwCY/s1600/IMGP0312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0Ola_w7pEX8GsbOK-PtM4bkHcjWN4ha-vpLQjDuoAjwN7Bw2abE-tPKIzIcI27gBb1VlXQ1Z7sqgU1ayaJijoKoL4gJ1pc9mvaplveh1lWYpZXckckZz7pMP-W8NnLBz6wNa9NOMwCY/s320/IMGP0312.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">jo and nydia juggling in the sunset</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNbpjM-rwY5epP2CiTulTiA5B7e_jnUzNrnIS2LpGP_3jQndYf2AaYsWkeMN4nxXJmL4SHDTpRIYVh4XqnlNQ1DGpa_sN2OVplrI0DztYjI5Z6Ipk876HYlUaZDcy__OumwQI6MDtXGU/s1600/IMGP0293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNbpjM-rwY5epP2CiTulTiA5B7e_jnUzNrnIS2LpGP_3jQndYf2AaYsWkeMN4nxXJmL4SHDTpRIYVh4XqnlNQ1DGpa_sN2OVplrI0DztYjI5Z6Ipk876HYlUaZDcy__OumwQI6MDtXGU/s320/IMGP0293.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is Matty the Ausie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TDShP3a26rGHMklMKUec4K37jVJBBQWZPktHHlqYNXELCckK5qhDQVSj36hTN_5Ge7_roUn06CDm5iBsKZiH1DwstaV-mwDryf5_YVxdDaHGUPGFWTabiSYCbwC0ytsDHW3MubkZ65U/s1600/IMGP0299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TDShP3a26rGHMklMKUec4K37jVJBBQWZPktHHlqYNXELCckK5qhDQVSj36hTN_5Ge7_roUn06CDm5iBsKZiH1DwstaV-mwDryf5_YVxdDaHGUPGFWTabiSYCbwC0ytsDHW3MubkZ65U/s320/IMGP0299.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jo is climbing the rocks at the mushroom rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1TtXMjImzdXJoyNDDmOprDdkQE1LbglhXAz2XmWX_tmeVq2aYRlbmqvNyaYqHGQ7Wsmlmpn8ONFJ4xmvNSKG4AvudCeZdcJ9Ond0DAtXdmWMF6vO2gbKtL4Dtg43iYG6ua2f8KzVgyA/s1600/IMGP0294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1TtXMjImzdXJoyNDDmOprDdkQE1LbglhXAz2XmWX_tmeVq2aYRlbmqvNyaYqHGQ7Wsmlmpn8ONFJ4xmvNSKG4AvudCeZdcJ9Ond0DAtXdmWMF6vO2gbKtL4Dtg43iYG6ua2f8KzVgyA/s320/IMGP0294.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgMEENr_svD9tXpOVb_nqeuipfxem4Pjk3sNWBQNWilqwBgNZPjdacAJMk6g_tiM241WQmhJxwLGiS9wO7U3q6UJQRY3WcDSvj_XOKLFmAaVdjOKW7E7u8FoXmYx5SeZe-0ixI1nL2rY/s1600/IMGP0300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgMEENr_svD9tXpOVb_nqeuipfxem4Pjk3sNWBQNWilqwBgNZPjdacAJMk6g_tiM241WQmhJxwLGiS9wO7U3q6UJQRY3WcDSvj_XOKLFmAaVdjOKW7E7u8FoXmYx5SeZe-0ixI1nL2rY/s320/IMGP0300.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the famous (but fake) mushroom rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxtYH1hCVB5YqpUmzwthoNZPoRIBL2qwA5MdCmjFD0-XLevf1bJrvZskg6xbOZrLoSDH-r3mhaddaKLX894d6y9lioBgKA2r4MQXjOvdB0LQTj7cpl9OJpeBevCCDDLOV5sNv3AZmYGc/s1600/IMGP0301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxtYH1hCVB5YqpUmzwthoNZPoRIBL2qwA5MdCmjFD0-XLevf1bJrvZskg6xbOZrLoSDH-r3mhaddaKLX894d6y9lioBgKA2r4MQXjOvdB0LQTj7cpl9OJpeBevCCDDLOV5sNv3AZmYGc/s320/IMGP0301.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">buenisimo sunset</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuLizUMMDoQzNZIhTkxpxqC3k7gtIV_TnRLL1fm8lCPCiHvklzHBGTMw-LUZaVDCfqbnQ1kSx2pzcZsMw-8fm4ciTwR8A3TM06FqI2ofiWZVoNfUbTUau3o-lTn0B4iUj5w1mSIwVz_c/s1600/IMGP0302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuLizUMMDoQzNZIhTkxpxqC3k7gtIV_TnRLL1fm8lCPCiHvklzHBGTMw-LUZaVDCfqbnQ1kSx2pzcZsMw-8fm4ciTwR8A3TM06FqI2ofiWZVoNfUbTUau3o-lTn0B4iUj5w1mSIwVz_c/s320/IMGP0302.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYGwoGpRA2_d1OjD7KTPWl0jWKiii5SS9UFDr9DSs7r2fkN4bkRmwNKV1_afl9kqbV75J7TRSO2aHcjWebSc7zd7mubop58J7Kq_taKvSwEMWDnQcvsAHOm1xd8FoEXUyCm8cC7hQZyc/s1600/IMGP0303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYGwoGpRA2_d1OjD7KTPWl0jWKiii5SS9UFDr9DSs7r2fkN4bkRmwNKV1_afl9kqbV75J7TRSO2aHcjWebSc7zd7mubop58J7Kq_taKvSwEMWDnQcvsAHOm1xd8FoEXUyCm8cC7hQZyc/s320/IMGP0303.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-DD_K98mHoBcTKQSCP52AmxS_JCx_70KSyO91Ed5mj9mMsepy-GyJpdbQLMEzJA5dRobcIbJpjCSUDudftyJwZ50nbcNJyQBRRZeHXL8sI0yvPSbZK_Cyp4iM1wawwFrayns49q3jF4/s1600/IMGP0304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-DD_K98mHoBcTKQSCP52AmxS_JCx_70KSyO91Ed5mj9mMsepy-GyJpdbQLMEzJA5dRobcIbJpjCSUDudftyJwZ50nbcNJyQBRRZeHXL8sI0yvPSbZK_Cyp4iM1wawwFrayns49q3jF4/s320/IMGP0304.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmsh0YV30vUO57qSdrcVac-yN9dUWppQaoBJk664UuZCDVDwzs_u1m8KP_1pHTYnVMdcm6QV6s9v0Ous9qQzFRR44fybY0k1p1FwDpdoPzMiP_KQ0T6AnUdpYtkrMx68n8cUQrhcSQAg/s1600/IMGP0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmsh0YV30vUO57qSdrcVac-yN9dUWppQaoBJk664UuZCDVDwzs_u1m8KP_1pHTYnVMdcm6QV6s9v0Ous9qQzFRR44fybY0k1p1FwDpdoPzMiP_KQ0T6AnUdpYtkrMx68n8cUQrhcSQAg/s320/IMGP0305.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">maybe too many sunset photos?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAb_Qfiir70SetMqUmhr8VwPn5ckloyl-L1Bby5UXAZHEFKjAliKw9YLmLJBCQhY4HGpy22RttJbucADA7MKNBzQB-VRyP0F-uOlpHt11-ow8fHQsI0EkhJ1eltx7DAWD99PVYWQ_N0KM/s1600/IMGP0306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAb_Qfiir70SetMqUmhr8VwPn5ckloyl-L1Bby5UXAZHEFKjAliKw9YLmLJBCQhY4HGpy22RttJbucADA7MKNBzQB-VRyP0F-uOlpHt11-ow8fHQsI0EkhJ1eltx7DAWD99PVYWQ_N0KM/s320/IMGP0306.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mosquito filled mangroves</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs21r3UkXSJ_MZq9jOiBAjrN4vuXMOSrrR_u4A7LUSIJNQNbxqHxaFyUwpmFE91SoaHRdO7I1gvdio49P_cOOK_b2WYYtEGvdsTGS2rGPfNB5rLebTgpAsT2hQSl6TI0IOz6BWu8bGe6w/s1600/IMGP0307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs21r3UkXSJ_MZq9jOiBAjrN4vuXMOSrrR_u4A7LUSIJNQNbxqHxaFyUwpmFE91SoaHRdO7I1gvdio49P_cOOK_b2WYYtEGvdsTGS2rGPfNB5rLebTgpAsT2hQSl6TI0IOz6BWu8bGe6w/s320/IMGP0307.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nice camping spots!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBie5-rO0cOJ_bYpLUYsLnWcT4VB75GZiyc3kmYLLKc4aiPMH9nEbWS1Vv8pxCEkloXm-s-NIwfJ0GCzoVnMW7EbWsi-wVkvNsjP9XewI_bCjga4KcEcmSYbO_omjurNupS9fMQp_C78/s1600/IMGP0308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBie5-rO0cOJ_bYpLUYsLnWcT4VB75GZiyc3kmYLLKc4aiPMH9nEbWS1Vv8pxCEkloXm-s-NIwfJ0GCzoVnMW7EbWsi-wVkvNsjP9XewI_bCjga4KcEcmSYbO_omjurNupS9fMQp_C78/s320/IMGP0308.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this was just such a classic beach! so nice, but there<br />
was more than one observed stingray casualty</td></tr>
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<br />
I decided to let jo try my camer under water!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbC7p5mSdqFkNG6JjkswkAttAFnpdfrWC-ZXiUNSYMqKIaTaONggfXIu4MTWdS9O0Uu1fAQr02QJhttYgperoebskQueoODCUvMkoolK4f5Iy1_N6X9en-WCgrsfv_J6xyjntxFYnZ9Y/s1600/IMGP0320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbC7p5mSdqFkNG6JjkswkAttAFnpdfrWC-ZXiUNSYMqKIaTaONggfXIu4MTWdS9O0Uu1fAQr02QJhttYgperoebskQueoODCUvMkoolK4f5Iy1_N6X9en-WCgrsfv_J6xyjntxFYnZ9Y/s320/IMGP0320.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Cg_CBK4-YwqgtNFOg2dJzioSRWaKe9OGls8ytNNJjAjkeQdoG031FIwF3bhOiS23NEjVyPFhFPl9KPcrfiNmWxsK1G1lD7ttO7k6X19-Zq3Kp0q8eFJ3Dzoc07rZfqoQPqNhG4yuqT0/s1600/IMGP0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Cg_CBK4-YwqgtNFOg2dJzioSRWaKe9OGls8ytNNJjAjkeQdoG031FIwF3bhOiS23NEjVyPFhFPl9KPcrfiNmWxsK1G1lD7ttO7k6X19-Zq3Kp0q8eFJ3Dzoc07rZfqoQPqNhG4yuqT0/s320/IMGP0322.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there's Jo</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEOElhPeH0GeL_-kg0hs5oPTDQO6ztYYyJYnDRzlWvkO5acHoGTkfI6oJWcIzBm9jST-PzHJwrPjGcAQytSjx04nSEcqND646jv0mMvFulf41r6erpCukV_B8J0YpEjkWfR2OrIPYahA/s1600/IMGP0323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEOElhPeH0GeL_-kg0hs5oPTDQO6ztYYyJYnDRzlWvkO5acHoGTkfI6oJWcIzBm9jST-PzHJwrPjGcAQytSjx04nSEcqND646jv0mMvFulf41r6erpCukV_B8J0YpEjkWfR2OrIPYahA/s320/IMGP0323.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCT71svX7HkDbFSZir1EPWWVU5xfZmMGuM5suRzA8xUcOtXz_MF-P2yGx35hPf8_dXnP33QwLW68IBi_bvI8xdAK15rEUi0NTjiStInCX3sXk8giAfB7GVpee0IJ9aVThEsFvZUbHn2A/s1600/IMGP0325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCT71svX7HkDbFSZir1EPWWVU5xfZmMGuM5suRzA8xUcOtXz_MF-P2yGx35hPf8_dXnP33QwLW68IBi_bvI8xdAK15rEUi0NTjiStInCX3sXk8giAfB7GVpee0IJ9aVThEsFvZUbHn2A/s320/IMGP0325.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVXgoCL63W538J7JbF2rPxCslx9IeTNp2xdKOMPjJ9D5tDx6FyURWbVK9w5zRUU4-0aTgF0c2fo-KOZfbiU4KSMkW-vHW37w428tEIARk7iQa-xlYDuFxxK0UthC6OVu2FE995acOkfs/s1600/IMGP0326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVXgoCL63W538J7JbF2rPxCslx9IeTNp2xdKOMPjJ9D5tDx6FyURWbVK9w5zRUU4-0aTgF0c2fo-KOZfbiU4KSMkW-vHW37w428tEIARk7iQa-xlYDuFxxK0UthC6OVu2FE995acOkfs/s320/IMGP0326.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaCeH1_U7irfBGtRLUGUJN0nwUx7xQhQqMGZnvPvxRhdTdo3_fL0hJE4ChCsYkbBkvSNre3VB1NaOloPxcmMjrHiSsk-uMkkIRwD6FdXhcmV1N6T7pQ9HK50l8yMjc3QLvjkroh-lZyc/s1600/IMGP0327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaCeH1_U7irfBGtRLUGUJN0nwUx7xQhQqMGZnvPvxRhdTdo3_fL0hJE4ChCsYkbBkvSNre3VB1NaOloPxcmMjrHiSsk-uMkkIRwD6FdXhcmV1N6T7pQ9HK50l8yMjc3QLvjkroh-lZyc/s320/IMGP0327.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dROn0xleh1at0uhE8xE6P-MUI9hcsXPf_WNQOa85ehovPeGzrVzQcvng6frQUrslKOcPAVveQe_moNa4rpqvYSVt2juhjuyE-Dulo8RgkiRbXY0QuQf3IX6uhbAxYHZnZPXhW5g9wz8/s1600/IMGP0329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dROn0xleh1at0uhE8xE6P-MUI9hcsXPf_WNQOa85ehovPeGzrVzQcvng6frQUrslKOcPAVveQe_moNa4rpqvYSVt2juhjuyE-Dulo8RgkiRbXY0QuQf3IX6uhbAxYHZnZPXhW5g9wz8/s320/IMGP0329.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nydia and myself are not the strongest swimmers,<br />
goodthing I had my dry-bag and mat was around to pull us back to the boat!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjZ_HU-lWGzKMi_O5HzpbqzuVbDlSX_ich77J9SQe0clf8mXhHZq1k_mTime-IwOcajRmWdoZslsmTFvCTjBfN0WMloPuJ0Sb-rJncHRNR0JnqsVFQxryaW14RRo4hhc_085yx55btfE/s1600/IMGP0335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjZ_HU-lWGzKMi_O5HzpbqzuVbDlSX_ich77J9SQe0clf8mXhHZq1k_mTime-IwOcajRmWdoZslsmTFvCTjBfN0WMloPuJ0Sb-rJncHRNR0JnqsVFQxryaW14RRo4hhc_085yx55btfE/s320/IMGP0335.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is on the second night of the voyage, we had a really cool jazz show<br />
to fall asleep to. This was so nice!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4J3zu4K-aZSQ2SnV7btHmbIKF_5zT8rWhvgtBoU9L92ge8b7xIz4FYcHo2zi6yIgzjiSn4YlOTp3v7HFQM_2aYBGATVh-asEx3De6Pfk7pNBNToivzJUnQMaIixntVJ5aPamAJlTxQ4/s1600/IMGP0341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4J3zu4K-aZSQ2SnV7btHmbIKF_5zT8rWhvgtBoU9L92ge8b7xIz4FYcHo2zi6yIgzjiSn4YlOTp3v7HFQM_2aYBGATVh-asEx3De6Pfk7pNBNToivzJUnQMaIixntVJ5aPamAJlTxQ4/s320/IMGP0341.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tighten the Jib!! Fly the Spinny! close the hatches!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrOQP1aeCH0wnDvfGq32eQ7HUd-VJOfmzMpdK_oI6c_fFYZb-9738ShWAnNa3YeSdGAByBJYn2DbpwMt50ZarTdNFcmLV_6ajyuMATE5U8eu5zp9lsdcN9XTMhj7ujzg1di89r3ee4R4/s1600/IMGP0343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrOQP1aeCH0wnDvfGq32eQ7HUd-VJOfmzMpdK_oI6c_fFYZb-9738ShWAnNa3YeSdGAByBJYn2DbpwMt50ZarTdNFcmLV_6ajyuMATE5U8eu5zp9lsdcN9XTMhj7ujzg1di89r3ee4R4/s320/IMGP0343.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our beautiful spinnaker </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEUg_ZCp2dyBmNaXQqSnJfN0NVDaYc8LFM3ojrWn7wPZuZXpnku9IgpLzl5z5cDjTBZc8dqy3hKU_SE6nXtplhXkklEZBdebjWB05KYo4aS0wf9txw8rWAg8x37SRzBncmH6e46XlpZ8/s1600/IMGP0345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEUg_ZCp2dyBmNaXQqSnJfN0NVDaYc8LFM3ojrWn7wPZuZXpnku9IgpLzl5z5cDjTBZc8dqy3hKU_SE6nXtplhXkklEZBdebjWB05KYo4aS0wf9txw8rWAg8x37SRzBncmH6e46XlpZ8/s200/IMGP0345.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZR-Ki0S6UrPqQ85LmS_ntxoQP9plVUCWOeJ-XIicjLa9-3gnlGxk1uMpYgtxshaDg6SVlToB3OxhD-CivdZzNJucewBj0Jq822UHzUhmMCrhnWpWGair2cWBLPtJgh_dBRydWHXO4p1A/s1600/IMGP0346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZR-Ki0S6UrPqQ85LmS_ntxoQP9plVUCWOeJ-XIicjLa9-3gnlGxk1uMpYgtxshaDg6SVlToB3OxhD-CivdZzNJucewBj0Jq822UHzUhmMCrhnWpWGair2cWBLPtJgh_dBRydWHXO4p1A/s200/IMGP0346.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jo wanted to have a swing into the ocean. and swing he did.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOErwh7RQ6waB-aezMYIn4Abkh1ly-k11_ZVPPe3B4Rw4FjW7Y6AtorP283fjPvKAP9nEelRqplLj21XCoGh9pQD7M8F8k6DdPMtz6qbVKfd085xPIO0NqKEpE0CNhQWQnMtObEWRycY/s1600/IMGP0358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOErwh7RQ6waB-aezMYIn4Abkh1ly-k11_ZVPPe3B4Rw4FjW7Y6AtorP283fjPvKAP9nEelRqplLj21XCoGh9pQD7M8F8k6DdPMtz6qbVKfd085xPIO0NqKEpE0CNhQWQnMtObEWRycY/s320/IMGP0358.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a very content Jo in the row boat</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">We made a short hike to the reef reserve around a nearby point. I tried my camera for a turn</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUuQHDzBS2MWNxNc7KxHMrtAsCyLTdhAA9M3Chn0Fb9C5q5ewYvhIcs1oNOEracT43tZVUGwiJ8gjf-jvr4s3Lts3q7SBDPXRM82oZdXHgjgAfSkmQ1FLqFta2hB-CD6sub78mZWkLRY/s1600/IMGP0362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUuQHDzBS2MWNxNc7KxHMrtAsCyLTdhAA9M3Chn0Fb9C5q5ewYvhIcs1oNOEracT43tZVUGwiJ8gjf-jvr4s3Lts3q7SBDPXRM82oZdXHgjgAfSkmQ1FLqFta2hB-CD6sub78mZWkLRY/s320/IMGP0362.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5tpU4OCRjhgWL5StThheKiVtZVObER1tAlsoQbK-I3RDMd_0QlJJCZZzPcG-E9NQnjgzk1d5MQtcXsPqz9Q6CkMqt4TmvzIAMG4Dm3sH9HS1yna0fCRAk-oHSjBIIVBVQ-n9DJ9L_TY/s1600/IMGP0363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5tpU4OCRjhgWL5StThheKiVtZVObER1tAlsoQbK-I3RDMd_0QlJJCZZzPcG-E9NQnjgzk1d5MQtcXsPqz9Q6CkMqt4TmvzIAMG4Dm3sH9HS1yna0fCRAk-oHSjBIIVBVQ-n9DJ9L_TY/s320/IMGP0363.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneyuash_Od-70ICWLHVC2DvOIbg3L2fmhips_9cLldtiYahMObn7G-VKRqkRfde9MbK5SG4QU8y0s6pzMg2J4BpQ-AwXtGB46LYMmU6vIU1ZpxaRUgLhGNxm1IG1icAhHnsuIzeUqs4w/s1600/IMGP0364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhneyuash_Od-70ICWLHVC2DvOIbg3L2fmhips_9cLldtiYahMObn7G-VKRqkRfde9MbK5SG4QU8y0s6pzMg2J4BpQ-AwXtGB46LYMmU6vIU1ZpxaRUgLhGNxm1IG1icAhHnsuIzeUqs4w/s320/IMGP0364.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spotted fish?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGpVg8qBI5ElhtdnHlU0Iy0q1pf8s-xRoY26U4A-nFHSlJQscPeiGFhlhDRYHiZFTtZz_i-oSZICskzhRoTdFgw0U5qYE62SsKJRNCuqbBcijC8kZCYVPs6c57-IHtlaLbR3nP0999lI/s1600/IMGP0365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGpVg8qBI5ElhtdnHlU0Iy0q1pf8s-xRoY26U4A-nFHSlJQscPeiGFhlhDRYHiZFTtZz_i-oSZICskzhRoTdFgw0U5qYE62SsKJRNCuqbBcijC8kZCYVPs6c57-IHtlaLbR3nP0999lI/s320/IMGP0365.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPeGzSrMLEwFz-zmV0nQIA-KLjlJEirImDJPxHB8Yt4J6Ae57SJ9E20Mkfi8CFBog2KBXtgMsL-WoUGkMDUdU3wQlraeNEMopsjL8dz3iOWovgLiH8UPL2gmtiOXzKpriYbc_vYBs50E/s1600/IMGP0367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPeGzSrMLEwFz-zmV0nQIA-KLjlJEirImDJPxHB8Yt4J6Ae57SJ9E20Mkfi8CFBog2KBXtgMsL-WoUGkMDUdU3wQlraeNEMopsjL8dz3iOWovgLiH8UPL2gmtiOXzKpriYbc_vYBs50E/s320/IMGP0367.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I bet this guy got tired of me following him around, or maybe he's used to it?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGI3xVhhBFqIvU1gGwH7vA0T6m1yhy3OWz_OjJ6VTDPuNRVEsQPSW4b0kdTzp7lp4Us5XWhAOLpr7XZ6CALNqU0SgVhYLNXLTpI8x1Kp6h3SDhMmamTDvLtFuOft1K8K3EZREKOys4ys/s1600/IMGP0370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGI3xVhhBFqIvU1gGwH7vA0T6m1yhy3OWz_OjJ6VTDPuNRVEsQPSW4b0kdTzp7lp4Us5XWhAOLpr7XZ6CALNqU0SgVhYLNXLTpI8x1Kp6h3SDhMmamTDvLtFuOft1K8K3EZREKOys4ys/s320/IMGP0370.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so, this reserve, it is supposed to be the only hard reef in the sea of Cortez</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92_B_33yS7fAlpx3zYKIaHkBSmfuof5VT1Ha7FWX2JzhDLkmBEWD_xPuG3LJAdJtKgiN0K6jkmqK6rIr9ARqQs1AI_o5h5CiygAfUsy8ltaG3zYQdBQBfuqE96_mJSOATXzrbT3PcWog/s1600/IMGP0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92_B_33yS7fAlpx3zYKIaHkBSmfuof5VT1Ha7FWX2JzhDLkmBEWD_xPuG3LJAdJtKgiN0K6jkmqK6rIr9ARqQs1AI_o5h5CiygAfUsy8ltaG3zYQdBQBfuqE96_mJSOATXzrbT3PcWog/s320/IMGP0371.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beautiful starfish</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_XfyEbne4ahaRIQoidOmitolodRnDkUmyfrXUishc5VyEfX8ET-BQmBwfLMXbiJdfOpG2d5aDGNIWBMMqBrfe28nTt0YYtYVHChuaRBTtRT7J1ioZgwdS8NhyXJKr7-MMHlenGiGsXM/s1600/IMGP0373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_XfyEbne4ahaRIQoidOmitolodRnDkUmyfrXUishc5VyEfX8ET-BQmBwfLMXbiJdfOpG2d5aDGNIWBMMqBrfe28nTt0YYtYVHChuaRBTtRT7J1ioZgwdS8NhyXJKr7-MMHlenGiGsXM/s320/IMGP0373.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these little guys were cool!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUi-kpU2BG4Zam0i0Oc3MPK_l9Sxwy3SFGoo6h2SNm4z9A6ZtTnBhBV0cWZBJzv32asxE8mfl0GZu7hi4_tX2gmuXrnrJZDIGXgpKB-7wjRQOzte_rBkMfYbe9S7oVMiShIrqHNmQUiw/s1600/IMGP0374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUi-kpU2BG4Zam0i0Oc3MPK_l9Sxwy3SFGoo6h2SNm4z9A6ZtTnBhBV0cWZBJzv32asxE8mfl0GZu7hi4_tX2gmuXrnrJZDIGXgpKB-7wjRQOzte_rBkMfYbe9S7oVMiShIrqHNmQUiw/s320/IMGP0374.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">two angel fish</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on the way out of the water</td></tr>
</tbody></table>after that snorkel, Kanga and it's faithful crew headed for La Cruz. A trip, that at any other time would have been the best sailing trip to make. unfortunately we did more than 48 hours of motoring. When we finally arived into port, all of us were happy that the sail had ended. <br />
Jo, Lydia and Mat were all headed to a place called Sayulita: a supposed surfer and hippie haven. The three caught a bus there, and I rode the 25 or so km. The town of Sayulita was a really cool experience, full of surfers and hippies of course (even though there was no surf to speak of)! This town is where I was introduced to the magical Ballena, also known as gywoma: a 1.2L bottle of beer. I met more Vancouver Islanders than I can shake a stick at, and many many other people from other places! Sayulita was filled with good vibes, good people and good times. I also met Alfonso and Kirsty who invited me to their family christmas here in Guadalajara.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dis be de reggae band<br />
man they were good!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhPaxWJMMY1qfEGI_urNGq4sjj3Vnfwbm-7wesDA5L-36aMiWTu2fRS2a5n-z1VFSWIXGRZbx2nHj5kJzxcZgc3kdFs8czzofjANdQvJHvtBw9SquuQFqAv0H9KGR2KFnaHbuHwfZoqU/s1600/IMGP0391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhPaxWJMMY1qfEGI_urNGq4sjj3Vnfwbm-7wesDA5L-36aMiWTu2fRS2a5n-z1VFSWIXGRZbx2nHj5kJzxcZgc3kdFs8czzofjANdQvJHvtBw9SquuQFqAv0H9KGR2KFnaHbuHwfZoqU/s320/IMGP0391.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the sun setting in sayulita</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYLbO_2-cZrs8RlT7F0pB4JlhMb_Xzrqatx9gfpAyJpT8Pl7or3VoaGtPAELHZsXXeVMfN4tjLSpjF_F5SBmm7G3XQjsL2FMYCGCgD-bM_7_ty4NYbBG4C1lziAZbIFjtNrsw3v1eDsE/s1600/IMGP0396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYLbO_2-cZrs8RlT7F0pB4JlhMb_Xzrqatx9gfpAyJpT8Pl7or3VoaGtPAELHZsXXeVMfN4tjLSpjF_F5SBmm7G3XQjsL2FMYCGCgD-bM_7_ty4NYbBG4C1lziAZbIFjtNrsw3v1eDsE/s320/IMGP0396.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my favorite camping spot is at the middle left: a secluded beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjvS46UoqMxRmBwr3xv_5th-SXzkLGxhGokJVDePNofPCnL0gxYFhQtb_IvwZA-emAkqVS1vhFcnZMyBybcgG5PVqSff2TyK4vS93VBhjiyVo3p7d3amSPr2c9OlLST3DQKsXoJysHek/s1600/IMGP0399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjvS46UoqMxRmBwr3xv_5th-SXzkLGxhGokJVDePNofPCnL0gxYFhQtb_IvwZA-emAkqVS1vhFcnZMyBybcgG5PVqSff2TyK4vS93VBhjiyVo3p7d3amSPr2c9OlLST3DQKsXoJysHek/s320/IMGP0399.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simon (Matt from the sailboat's brother), and Carolina from Chile</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7A_PjrPF6RoWVL28k3MoV3iaHN9xy-4yDpY1vrZC1akPFx_7zxmMD3OpxcxAbheNWebB9-Kkl2NVQUUkQAGquO69pMAXwEwSglsCoZiqYQTW0IxIY3XnvUJQo5TRjh-xlgcLu0ZU10g/s1600/IMGP0402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7A_PjrPF6RoWVL28k3MoV3iaHN9xy-4yDpY1vrZC1akPFx_7zxmMD3OpxcxAbheNWebB9-Kkl2NVQUUkQAGquO69pMAXwEwSglsCoZiqYQTW0IxIY3XnvUJQo5TRjh-xlgcLu0ZU10g/s320/IMGP0402.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a view after a hike up monkey mountain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wltTqfvxYXv4B9uj3r3FV7qpM95_qx2UeafBtUrXUxPphGk9-WQSehvjnDW7MZcYhUQ4aD_v8eAVyOt2x1OQwdaI6hvRwA6ALinDWJqrSbvg1OdumfOkpl5GioFfTksaHy0_ow1JxE4/s1600/IMGP0403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wltTqfvxYXv4B9uj3r3FV7qpM95_qx2UeafBtUrXUxPphGk9-WQSehvjnDW7MZcYhUQ4aD_v8eAVyOt2x1OQwdaI6hvRwA6ALinDWJqrSbvg1OdumfOkpl5GioFfTksaHy0_ow1JxE4/s320/IMGP0403.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">brad feeding the big-balled-bull</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvMO7I3hHJP8_wAggPbGRk9LB8qKQJu9KpJ9-5OxFIRLCexQunixu4jWxxRX7G3UHJ3PwExoGa_c57uq8US1g1u15e8WRl7y2GwrFt6V7OuktEYoF_-O43H0YmhjryKxj78jsLoJ_ONQ/s1600/IMGP0404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvMO7I3hHJP8_wAggPbGRk9LB8qKQJu9KpJ9-5OxFIRLCexQunixu4jWxxRX7G3UHJ3PwExoGa_c57uq8US1g1u15e8WRl7y2GwrFt6V7OuktEYoF_-O43H0YmhjryKxj78jsLoJ_ONQ/s320/IMGP0404.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">that peak in the distance in monkey mountain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTeTso8P4AX_aQJgfrUOIB1yFase4uazg35l9Zxwz8DbATFAIPMgGW9zupEw2u9SadTNzKTFIm8hOlwGHhMes1nPyrSFjaqdy5wkRulRPlFV2Zs583LNXAw_-3pJUEj8BansPePoG-dGs/s1600/IMGP0406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTeTso8P4AX_aQJgfrUOIB1yFase4uazg35l9Zxwz8DbATFAIPMgGW9zupEw2u9SadTNzKTFIm8hOlwGHhMes1nPyrSFjaqdy5wkRulRPlFV2Zs583LNXAw_-3pJUEj8BansPePoG-dGs/s320/IMGP0406.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">leaf-like grass hopper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I caught a bus to Guadalajara, and for chrismas spent a wonderful time with a wonderful family! it was a great way to spend christmas: smashing pinatas, drinking all sorts of neat things, and eating great food!!! Thank you so much to you and your family Fonz!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>Robertohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712579829585624733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150469436753598521.post-82954788285019105202010-11-21T22:10:00.000-08:002010-11-22T18:20:54.687-08:00un taco con mi bicicleta por favorI apologize for the lack of posting, but I have been busy!<br />
This particular post is of a long stretch from Portland, OR to Los Angeles, CA!<br />
Unfortunately, I did not ride a large amount of Oregon due mostly to the combination of weather and time. <br />
I have been in a rush to clear the united states because of high living expenses.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOn4IupkrhI/AAAAAAAAAHA/mx2UR_E49y0/s1600/IMGP0192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOn4IupkrhI/AAAAAAAAAHA/mx2UR_E49y0/s320/IMGP0192.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brand new bike out of Portland! Surley long haul trucker</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I thought that it'd be alright if I bussed to Eugene (skipping out on about two days of riding) and then ride back out to the coast to continue my travels. In Eugene I used my couch surfing skills and stayed at an awesome little housing co-op with Sarah, her roomie, and her roomie's beer brewing boyfriend, where I also stayed for Halloween costume and all. That brings us to November the first.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On Monday morning, I headed along the wolf creek pass and succeeded to climb over the coastal mountains along the smith river. I developed knee problems in the late afternoon, and even if it were not starting to get dark at that point, I still would have had to stop due to my knee at the time. I had rolled into the smith river falls campground with a hunter as a neighbor. I camped using my <strong>waterproof </strong>bivy for the first time, and found myself to be nice and dry. My neighbor offered me the cover of his canopy in the rainy morning the next day. I left that spot for an easy and incredibly beautiful ride to follow the smith river out to the sea, an soon enough I found myself in reedsport again with my knee bothering me a whole whack. I proceeded to look for a place to get it checked out. my search brought me further along the road to north bend and coos bay (really one town, but they like to call it two), where I booked an appointment for the next morning.. I camped in some nearby bushes warm and safe for the evening, and attended my appointment the next day. regardless of pain, I rode about 200 km in those two days.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these are the folks I was hanging out with in Eugene</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That road shown just below that picture of the yurt is Smith River Road -- it was beautiful, but very hilly</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smith River Falls?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">suddenly there were cows on the road. I thought I was in the mountains!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOn4kSjc4jI/AAAAAAAAAHM/d6bzKJQr84E/s1600/IMGP0202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOn4kSjc4jI/AAAAAAAAAHM/d6bzKJQr84E/s320/IMGP0202.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun started to come out as I descended to the coast</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">awesome pastures! it was so cool to have mountains and then small pastures all around</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOn8t6vKx9I/AAAAAAAAAHU/jUXVHK-GjEU/s1600/IMGP0204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOn8t6vKx9I/AAAAAAAAAHU/jUXVHK-GjEU/s320/IMGP0204.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun was not shy as I continued to Coos Bay</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOn84Wv5DRI/AAAAAAAAAHY/I7Ezq62UhNk/s1600/IMGP0205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOn84Wv5DRI/AAAAAAAAAHY/I7Ezq62UhNk/s320/IMGP0205.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huge dune!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I had recommendations to stay off of my knee for a bit, so I made a plan to bus a little more since the weather was not great, and my Quebecois friend was going at a speedy pace (she apparently was in SF already!!), I did not have much to loose in trying to catch a bus to California. I did just this that evening, arriving in Crescent city, once again camping in the bushes. in the morning, I used the nearby swimming pool to shower, warm up and shave. I was warned that the 101( the road i have been generally sticking to) changed for the worse right after Crescent city( as in no shoulder, crazy winding, and fast) I met a fellow at the bus stop who knew of a bus to the place i wanted to ride, and a possible bypass of 20 some odd dollars. my friend joined me to this park and we rode it together. Prairie creek Redwood forest is AMAZING I have never seen anything like these trees, some of them are bigger than the old growths at home in Walbran Carmannah!! really nice experience to ride through. I was however most surprised that people still kept to the speed limit in such an area, not truly acknowledging the wondrous beauty they pass through. I camped with the man, and also a girl that he had previously met who was traveling the same coast as I have been, but from Vancouver. we had a nice feast in the evening; a collaboration of all our foods: apple pie, pasta, tuna, salsa fresca, cheese, candy bars it was yummy!!<br />
the next morning all three of us exited the park together and took a bus to the next town. I then took the local bus as far south as I could get, to Garberville, in Humboldt county (need I say more?)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRa-uNw6fnnfglILHE4KyhoReG8k3t8n0FK7vpqA0VAzdcdFFGHjcUYdCR0S_D2rye9ufLW3mZrP3qXgdR9KsuEsJSNZPHL7-gA69FdH9y3z48oloKOIzhewVhkALaZCYtagzdM3A75k/s1600/IMGP0206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRa-uNw6fnnfglILHE4KyhoReG8k3t8n0FK7vpqA0VAzdcdFFGHjcUYdCR0S_D2rye9ufLW3mZrP3qXgdR9KsuEsJSNZPHL7-gA69FdH9y3z48oloKOIzhewVhkALaZCYtagzdM3A75k/s320/IMGP0206.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the fog let up for a moment to show a pretty point in crescent city</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-h-APgJQsfVqoJQaINHgIYokAHuMT_6zYR7l55mp3m_vnIY8X6-pTqqJmm-cA-dchrlYuDkZvQLhOuBBA90moiDwtnh3v1KzD83o_Jr74koLQo8b7cYjP0jSyvZ-aThltklXIYAFy7w/s1600/IMGP0207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-h-APgJQsfVqoJQaINHgIYokAHuMT_6zYR7l55mp3m_vnIY8X6-pTqqJmm-cA-dchrlYuDkZvQLhOuBBA90moiDwtnh3v1KzD83o_Jr74koLQo8b7cYjP0jSyvZ-aThltklXIYAFy7w/s320/IMGP0207.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">big 'ol trees!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Xlj4iO34GR1gQ-MhjA4fdzPEZjZrsnXUalgxLD57DcNT6ZwD6xF0a1kS66NYVE9802Kvn23I1RKwT3jLNpHS7i7B3lOzAgjXx7fwFACLxSt5Mg3THk7LVZZkstRbkSnS9evaC4vyzvQ/s1600/IMGP0208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Xlj4iO34GR1gQ-MhjA4fdzPEZjZrsnXUalgxLD57DcNT6ZwD6xF0a1kS66NYVE9802Kvn23I1RKwT3jLNpHS7i7B3lOzAgjXx7fwFACLxSt5Mg3THk7LVZZkstRbkSnS9evaC4vyzvQ/s320/IMGP0208.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOSqhgZfYZA9aPkQmP1TYrcOmCdDjE4tYhis5Scc0iGhDznrmJGjM3hjr6vyygT023GOzR04DM6_NYJdkqTCJ5s_VvbtNYgqlsOhMf4af7CGNQm6RMgURCbkKEAvwZ4LH_NhAMEPrngo/s1600/IMGP0209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOSqhgZfYZA9aPkQmP1TYrcOmCdDjE4tYhis5Scc0iGhDznrmJGjM3hjr6vyygT023GOzR04DM6_NYJdkqTCJ5s_VvbtNYgqlsOhMf4af7CGNQm6RMgURCbkKEAvwZ4LH_NhAMEPrngo/s320/IMGP0209.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiliIOZ-lmEvUDBCDoqq1pjBz1N9V9oqnFFNkyhfyCfRJCwk0LpDRKdgNe0ZD7jkPw2Nofkxvohxwgst5Bx8zpBLCBUHYHjCtfTLeW92gsDSmR_bzfccLTms1bMagfo0RxkO9CqpODOh6g/s1600/IMGP0211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiliIOZ-lmEvUDBCDoqq1pjBz1N9V9oqnFFNkyhfyCfRJCwk0LpDRKdgNe0ZD7jkPw2Nofkxvohxwgst5Bx8zpBLCBUHYHjCtfTLeW92gsDSmR_bzfccLTms1bMagfo0RxkO9CqpODOh6g/s640/IMGP0211.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a whole lot bigger than my bike!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcI7opqlWIlwcRaw19S1KP0FS20Obbpf-11HA_GT1SqsO4PsjZO3zTm4Q4ertjHERtwYtRJin_04sLYMQJhHP80YEDIoPiQkFXNMqp-b60n4pe6kDRI_Du67jYUws3NNZyv-4uE6_pXQ/s1600/IMGP0213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcI7opqlWIlwcRaw19S1KP0FS20Obbpf-11HA_GT1SqsO4PsjZO3zTm4Q4ertjHERtwYtRJin_04sLYMQJhHP80YEDIoPiQkFXNMqp-b60n4pe6kDRI_Du67jYUws3NNZyv-4uE6_pXQ/s320/IMGP0213.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">real tall</td></tr>
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<br />
In Garberville, I chanced a ride to right to SF and a place to stay there from a really nice guy named Ajay. he was headed to green fest and I thought, "well cool!" I joined. save the speakers, I was not overly impressed with Greenfest, it seemed to be a bit too much of a consumer fair. Coincidentally I met up with Ian there, who I had met on the boat from Victoria to Port Angeles; we sported "Consumption is not Activism" duct tape. that evening and the next, I stayed in the HI downtown SF for a rather unimpressive $32/ night, where I met many really nice and wonderful people. I was at this point waiting for my good friend and cousin Denise to arrive, which she did and we hugged each other thoroughly! it was real nice to see a familiar face again!<br />
After meeting a different girl, Jessica, rather randomly on the street on a bike, I was offered a place to stay in a very fancy apartment, it was very nice. the next morning I decided to head out to LA; I was actually going to ride there. I also made the decision <strong><u>not</u> </strong>to pay for accommodations due to me feeling as though I spent far too much money in SF.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79bCX991gJ6FWVOXbwoaXPoOs7Io0SEDHVkyKFBrNJ8wvv2WB5uYcstoYQYdPNydbKc811scVa9xao-2gluC8OWUUPmk1MDt3E2EGi60F2haKilLvjPFnrJDOfb1edUH2beP0yJRLMgo/s1600/IMGP0216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79bCX991gJ6FWVOXbwoaXPoOs7Io0SEDHVkyKFBrNJ8wvv2WB5uYcstoYQYdPNydbKc811scVa9xao-2gluC8OWUUPmk1MDt3E2EGi60F2haKilLvjPFnrJDOfb1edUH2beP0yJRLMgo/s320/IMGP0216.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another view</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JUOk1uJ_9Xq_1EZ5Z5zf4EM4jnJjP4rG1EXDUjrOi3NKY42YVNOnKF9JxN-8tnrI_roM9793C5icbg94oBbo9E31BvuksSKGXGv4zW_DSx80Vyj4femG1ZMYStdIakxcahJTqDSE8Uw/s1600/IMGP0217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JUOk1uJ_9Xq_1EZ5Z5zf4EM4jnJjP4rG1EXDUjrOi3NKY42YVNOnKF9JxN-8tnrI_roM9793C5icbg94oBbo9E31BvuksSKGXGv4zW_DSx80Vyj4femG1ZMYStdIakxcahJTqDSE8Uw/s320/IMGP0217.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alcatraz!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizw5L_21F0rbWuKyGqtIG6TClzSauQbIx4tsm88Q6GV-3xqM4CrjE1_H00ca3XCzU5rquGZSpeaDQuX67k6Udcflfkph861DFKsGWVGVumRvrW2V6MlMIHDSaUigtL2B1XxxbbVOFnSwU/s1600/IMGP0218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizw5L_21F0rbWuKyGqtIG6TClzSauQbIx4tsm88Q6GV-3xqM4CrjE1_H00ca3XCzU5rquGZSpeaDQuX67k6Udcflfkph861DFKsGWVGVumRvrW2V6MlMIHDSaUigtL2B1XxxbbVOFnSwU/s320/IMGP0218.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">check it out as a huge ship goes under!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNuTyxi45m0J8Fi2FCB7QAJRJ3L4klNtLrR0sCaMhrYOc9MH2EeIc2vn5JbYVcZKemzhxedJka9LkDeTYuMRHVcgKPcuNn9dGQZL5Q59_nayWX4CmqLiakl9xUvjRCrLFbChWP_w5tMY/s1600/IMGP0227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNuTyxi45m0J8Fi2FCB7QAJRJ3L4klNtLrR0sCaMhrYOc9MH2EeIc2vn5JbYVcZKemzhxedJka9LkDeTYuMRHVcgKPcuNn9dGQZL5Q59_nayWX4CmqLiakl9xUvjRCrLFbChWP_w5tMY/s640/IMGP0227.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite picture of the bridge. I took this and most of these after riding to the hills on the other side of the bridge from SF</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz21Sjh9X4QO27hfN_bPKbcMRV9ldrKmdu-yX43HKj-QcRc4_La-xnIpRoBwByzrobGoDTlUt5shNOquzqlbXbi7o-1R2hdIOiOB0rpOYsHp8Vm8s_LMMRa1rozXbKeLuHOevNmK3meZc/s1600/IMGP0228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz21Sjh9X4QO27hfN_bPKbcMRV9ldrKmdu-yX43HKj-QcRc4_La-xnIpRoBwByzrobGoDTlUt5shNOquzqlbXbi7o-1R2hdIOiOB0rpOYsHp8Vm8s_LMMRa1rozXbKeLuHOevNmK3meZc/s320/IMGP0228.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was watching a kite boarder go, it was siick!</td></tr>
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<div align="center"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">AFTER SF </span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOlJtyFA28I/AAAAAAAAAEM/ISJbtssriy0/s1600/SF+to+LA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOlJtyFA28I/AAAAAAAAAEM/ISJbtssriy0/s1600/SF+to+LA.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This map shows all of the camping spots along the way, save San Fran and Glendale proper (first and last marks)</td></tr>
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I departed.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> It was almost immediately noticeable that I was on that famous agricultural coast and the forests were over, complete with my favorites: the fruit stands and the sea-side road. That first evening I was headed towards pigeon point, a trek on which I met up with another cyclist headed in a similar direction named Ben. Ben and I rode together for a little while, but my pace was unfortunately a bit faster than his, and I needed to get as far as light would permit to camp; however, Ben was in no rush, as he was planning to stay in the Pigeon Point Hostel. Regardless of the time spent together, company was very much appreciated. I ended up setting up camp at a state beach of sorts, sneakily sleeping where I probably should not have (see SPOT place # 2 on above map).. At this spot, I realized how wonderful of a decision I had made in riding. A beautiful evening and morning brought much cheer.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOlh65SujfI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/cuFx0okRawc/s1600/IMGP0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOlh65SujfI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/cuFx0okRawc/s320/IMGP0231.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beautiful sea-side roads -- conducive to a very nice ride</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a fantastic sunset and rise -- the best way to go to bed and wake up</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The next day, after witnessing the sun rise, I made a simple day's goal to get past Santa Cruz. This day in particular, was an endless ride of strawberry fields, including a stop at a fruit stand with the best strawberry jam I have ever tasted! (you might ask, "better than your mom's??" my mother's specialty is raspberry jam. Never have I tasted better raspberry. she does not do strawberry jam.) When I say endless, I mean three to four hours of them; they aren't even the ones you would want to steal! they are anything BUT organic. Finally I found Santa Cruz; a really cool little town, I hope to spend more time there one day. perhaps another trip. after a stop at "Spokesman" the local bicycle shop, to grab spare tubes, and a new pump (mine was stolen somewhere along the way..), I was off to the outskirts of town where I planned to duck away in the bush. I got lost a bit and with the help of two different cyclists I met, eventually found my way to a closed campground near the beach (see SPOT place # 3 on above map), and again, I camped where I likely should not have done so.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">At this point in time it came to me that the Pacific Coast Bike Route, though a wonderful and brilliant idea, is <strong>very</strong> poorly marked long the way. I found myself getting lost far more than was necessary. (eg. suddenly finding myself on a freeway that reads "BICYCLES PROHIBITED", as there were no signs prior indicating bicycle routes)</div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOnD7L-B4KI/AAAAAAAAAFM/kFmlMNrGuLU/s1600/IMGP0235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOnD7L-B4KI/AAAAAAAAAFM/kFmlMNrGuLU/s640/IMGP0235.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the view of sunset as I approach my campsite for the night after Santa Cruz</td></tr>
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Friday the 12th consisted of mainly coastal views, and featured few places to get lost as well as very little climbing until the coming of the end of the day as I approached Big Sur. I rode a while with a trainer and two 'students'? I was very impressed that I was as fast and even faster at an even pace than these "super light" bikers. I stopped at a camp ground (and again sneakily slept) very near Big Sur, as it is called. I had a very enjoyable collaborative meal with Jana from Germany including rice, beans, cheese and other yummy things. once again, I noted how wonderful it was to have to company. we joined again in the morning to have my special porridge and eggs, as the both of us departed for the south. Jana to LA airport, and myself to my next stop.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOnUEk0uIwI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/ihkjWwRmkVE/s1600/IMGP0239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOnUEk0uIwI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/ihkjWwRmkVE/s320/IMGP0239.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dig this green roof!! reminds me of Coombs </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOnUUzKuDlI/AAAAAAAAAFc/Xw_pCbJhUq0/s1600/IMGP0242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOnUUzKuDlI/AAAAAAAAAFc/Xw_pCbJhUq0/s320/IMGP0242.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">probably the longest climbs on Friday brought me here, a nice photo-op</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOnUahnSSZI/AAAAAAAAAFg/V7Zhx25LnLg/s1600/IMGP0243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOnUahnSSZI/AAAAAAAAAFg/V7Zhx25LnLg/s320/IMGP0243.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden -- that's how I felt too!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOnUh6mqvYI/AAAAAAAAAFk/fqjTeOT3y4g/s1600/IMGP0244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOnUh6mqvYI/AAAAAAAAAFk/fqjTeOT3y4g/s320/IMGP0244.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cattle dot the field in the sunset</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOnUniHcs8I/AAAAAAAAAFo/m5J0CxC5_vc/s1600/IMGP0245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOnUniHcs8I/AAAAAAAAAFo/m5J0CxC5_vc/s320/IMGP0245.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the light is catching only the mountain</td></tr>
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Big Sur was a very VERY hilly day. but amazing!! the thing about climbing, you get to come down too (pleasurable granted you have brakes). I probably spent 3/4 of my 8 or so hour day climbing, but it was so worth the views and the rides down!! I finally arrived in Jagged Point pooped right out, and decided to reward myself with dinner at a restaurant that I found there. If you are in to hiking or biking or any other physically demanding sport, you must know how pleasurable any morsel of food is at the end of a long, long day. I had an option to stay at a hotel, however, after asking a few of the wait staff of a place to camp, I heard of one a kilometer or so down the road, and then found it (not an official camp site -- free). I was fortunate to find fellow campers, and had a nice exchange of stories before slinking into my warm bivy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">good morning Big Sur!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOnV-V_-iNI/AAAAAAAAAF8/71b34-TXnd0/s1600/IMGP0248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOnV-V_-iNI/AAAAAAAAAF8/71b34-TXnd0/s320/IMGP0248.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this guy looked interesting. Apparently it is a king 'something' snake, he eats those nasty rattlers<br />
regardless, I took care to give it LOTS of room</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOnWG3u7q9I/AAAAAAAAAGA/Z4q92oQttqE/s1600/IMGP0249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOnWG3u7q9I/AAAAAAAAAGA/Z4q92oQttqE/s320/IMGP0249.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">coming to Jagged Point</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOnWX3qKQ6I/AAAAAAAAAGI/ttGTickVomY/s1600/IMGP0252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOnWX3qKQ6I/AAAAAAAAAGI/ttGTickVomY/s640/IMGP0252.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is what I got to see as I ate that wonderful dinner</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is the magical place where I got to camp. right on the cliff-side</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I woke up to an equally amazing sunrise again, however, was hesitant to rise due to the fact that I was warm (rarely happens in the mornings). I was headed to a spot some people had told me was just wonderful to see: Morro Bay! my ride was down hill in the morning, and generally flat for the rest of the day. asides from the odd fruit stand, I saw few other people this day. I came to camp outside a bird sanctuary, it was brilliant!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOnjhK-h0EI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/5MKtf_qHtdU/s1600/IMGP0254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOnjhK-h0EI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/5MKtf_qHtdU/s640/IMGP0254.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just wonderfully picturesque with the rock out there</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOnjmTqu3yI/AAAAAAAAAGU/Y2TJPYxcgg8/s1600/IMGP0255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOnjmTqu3yI/AAAAAAAAAGU/Y2TJPYxcgg8/s400/IMGP0255.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have always loved to see boats in the sunset</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOnj7Kg677I/AAAAAAAAAGk/e01Ca9nGTnU/s1600/IMGP0259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOnj7Kg677I/AAAAAAAAAGk/e01Ca9nGTnU/s640/IMGP0259.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you can see, the cormorants were nesting right beside me. It was really nice to sleep in this spot</td></tr>
</tbody></table> From Morro Bay, I knew Lompoc was a far shot, but I thought that I would try it. I made it all of the way there, sustaining myself with three tacos which I had mid-day in the small and extremely Hispanic town of Guatelupe. As it turned out, this was probably the day with my longest mileage yet, of about 130 km. I did not really stop along the way because it was all inland, and for me, there was not too much to see. thus I also have no pictures. I camped in a suburban park where signs posted warnings of mountain lions, however, the only animals that I saw or heard were the owls that I think imitated my snoring.<br />
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The next morning (we are onto Monday here), I rode into Santa Barbara, and then beyond to Carpenteria (see SPOT #8 on the above map).<br />
It was really amazing to me, the contrast of weather from coast to inland. As I approached from Lompoc all hot and sweaty from the sun, I saw clouds falling over the mountains ahead of me like a waterfall (I was unable to capture this as I was in freeway). After this sudden and drastic change from hot and sunny to cold and overcast/foggy, the weather held (fog did not dissipate) until Santa Barbara.<br />
I learned of an apparently fantastic brewery, however, due to strict enforcement of liqueur laws, I was unable to try some at the brewery. I instead met up with my camp mate Barry from the UK who was riding from SF as well. I passed right out after eating a fantastic Thai meal for dinner. I was finally caught by the park ranger, and had to pay a $10 camping fee (which I think is insane, especially since I am in a bivy!)<br />
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"Malibu Ho!! " I thought as I started my ride with Barry Tuesday morning. I found that I unconsciously appeared very far ahead of Barry fairly often, so we decided to part ways an hour or so into riding.<br />
I made it to Malibu no problem, and sat down at a Starbucks to use the Internet and confirm my place to stay in LA with friends of the family, after which I found a place to camp in the hills. It was rather hard to find a spot with everyone so concerned with privacy (many somewhat famous people I think), I ended up camping at a well entrance of a house with an unreal view. the word on the street is they have all sorts of tennis courts and things if you check it out on google earth (SPOT # 9)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOntUAzHjQI/AAAAAAAAAGo/--Xy6hUSwX4/s1600/IMGP0263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TOntUAzHjQI/AAAAAAAAAGo/--Xy6hUSwX4/s640/IMGP0263.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">although a little blurry, you can imagine what this might look like in the evening and morning<br />
the camera was unable to catch as much light as my eyes.</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> The next morning I met a guy named Ryan, who I hope to talk more to. He is a Toronto born carny on his own tour, from his home to here (LA). He admittedly cheated a bit, like me, but his stories make it easy to see why! he had bad experiences of the south-east states.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this dog was massive!! it visited Ryan and myself while we were hanging out at Starbucks in Malibu<br />
Irish wolf hound</td></tr>
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">8 days of riding brought me from downtown San Francisco, to Malibu, where I was picked up the next morning by family friends and Glendale residents: Jane and Peter. I have spent three nights already with them (rebuilding my kit), and am leaving tomorrow by bus to Ensenada (avoiding the border towns so as to avoid getting shot), from which I will ride the length of the Baja California.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">LA has been amazing thanks to Peter and Jane! We have had great times with neighbors Geom, Matt, and Ned, including Dim Sum, and sufficient alcohol consumption. You are all great and wonderful people with great attitudes, I love it!</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'm digging on my new bike. It is a bit funny riding so high up and with such tiny wheels comparatively to what I'm used to, but it is as solid as the Berlin wall once was. The only problem, I don't have a name yet... I've been thinking hard on it, but nothin' is coming. We'll see.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Thus far on my trip, I have discovered that my favorite places are places that resemble parts of the Island area (eg Saltspring to Garberville CA, -- Clallam Bay, WA to Duncan -- Eugene, OR to Victoria,). It may be familiarity, or plain good vibes that I seek out. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">who knows.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">RDUBB signin' out until .. La Paz or Mazatlan.. or something</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Hasta Luego Amigos!!</div><br />
</div>Robertohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712579829585624733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150469436753598521.post-70593015512607100742010-10-28T20:38:00.000-07:002010-10-28T20:38:31.398-07:00one rough week for the better right? -- Franchesqua dead??From my last post, in Astoria, I rode in a direct head wind along with stinging rain to seaside. What would have normally taken at MOST an hour, took almost three; after which, I was beat and soaked. I finally got to seaside and I still had not heard from my host hopefuls. So I ended up staying in a hostel for the night.<br />
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The seaside hostel was just awesome; perhaps it was just a combination of me finally being dry and full of delicious crab-poppers, needless to say, it was really nice to be both of those things. I made heaps of waffles in the morning (to try to make up for the cost), and then prepared to bus to Portland.<br />
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I was previously doubting that I would be going to Portland at all, but this bad weather predicted to last a few days meant I would not make any headway. I therefore decided to dodge the rain and wind by staying in Portland and checking things out.<br />
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Check them out I did as I looked madly for a place to stay. After literal hours of searching and drinking hot water out of the oh-so-cool Backspace Coffee Shop, I not only had to pee rather badly, but too I finally found Justin and Ashley who warmly welcomed me into their "R"-filled home.<br />
I spent near two full days with this rather enjoyable pair. The night of my arrival was spent carving mighty pumpkins and eating mighty pizza (precisely the way any good Friday night should be spent).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">right to left: Justin's, my own, and Ashley's (I think Ashley's takes the cake)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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Early the next morning Justin and I went on a sadly unfruitful excursion for mushrooms. We returned to the homestead with lovely flowers for Ashley which seemed to make up for the lack of shrooms. The rest of that day was spent hanging about the house, and then we went for some awesome thai food for dinner. I spent a second night there and after doing a quick shop at REI, planned to head to Tillamook in the afternoon of the next day. <br />
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I cannot thank you two enough for your incredible hospitality. Though we did not do terribly much, your company ensured what I believe the very best possible Portland experience.<br />
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ride I did on Sunday afternoon, and made it to some slightly populated area where I camped in a covered picnic area after getting soaked in the bushes by wind and rain (while I was in portland, I swapped my tent for a bivy bag; however, I was still out of practice using it). I then continued to Tillamook on Monday morning. As I was coming to the end of my ride over the coastal mountain range, one of my rear spokes randomly broke, causing me to stop my progress and hitchhike/ walk. After about an hour of walking my bike in the rain while holding out my thumb, I managed to get a lift from a young fellow going home from fishing. I arrived into Tillamook to find only hotels and motels. after much searching, I found the cheapest, grungiest hotel; yet the fee still came to over $60 dollars. ROUGH!! MOST MONEY SPENT IN A NIGHT YET! I cranked the heat, and dried everything I have hoping that not only all of my things would dry, but also the hotel would feel the burn of having me pay so much come the next hydro bill. The next morning I bought a new spoke, and re-trued my wheel, but I found my bike to still be riding funny, and suddenly noticed that the frame had actually broken! Though not sure when/how it had happened, I had to get it welded to repair it, costing me another 35 dollars. bummer! <br />
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I Had gone to Tillamook hoping that the storm that I went inland to Portland previously to avoid had passed, so that I could continue riding along the coast. It had not, and so I made plans to return to Portland and ride inland instead.. Having missed the last bus of the day to the city, I decided to stay in Tillamook again to catch the Wednesday morning bus; I was NOT paying that price again, so I camped in the bush (once again I got drenched by the cold and wet).<br />
In the dark and early morning of Wednesday, I woke to be more than freezing!! I was still two hours early for my 8 O' clock bus, but had to get moving!! I was thinking I would go wait at a coffee shop for a while or something. On my way to town from the bush camping spot, I was unfortunately hit by a car, and then went to the hospital to make sure I was alright. Soon enough I found out what I had already assumed: I was heavily bruised. It seemed at the time that the only damage to my bike was the rear rim: it seemed to have un-trued itself again -- annoying, since I had just trued it.. I tried to true it again at the bike shop, but I was unable. I decided that I needed the advice of an actual bike mechanic, so I now NEEDED to go to Portland. I had to catch the next bus which left at 1230 in the afternoon.<br />
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I arrived in at a bike shop down town to discover that I would not be able to continue riding poor Franchesqua. I am forced to look for a new companion.<br />
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sorry for the lack of pictures in this particular blog, but it was kind of miserable out. I did not get to see anything really pretty asides from some pumpkins.<br />
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what a bummer of a week!Robertohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712579829585624733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150469436753598521.post-12878742836504562202010-10-21T12:33:00.000-07:002010-10-21T12:33:57.399-07:00a few km later..The past few days have been quite exciting!! including things like climbing mountains, staying in homeless shelters... the usual right?<br />
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Neah Bay ended very well, and I am very glad that I went there! On the morning of October 16th, the day after my last post, I rode my bike to Cape Flatterly (You will see on "Where I Am" a waypoint at the most Western point of Washington). From that point, I was spying on Port Renfrew!!! I thought that that was pretty cool. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TL29ijITVpI/AAAAAAAAACE/SRgX-73Egh0/s1600/IMGP0143.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TL29ijITVpI/AAAAAAAAACE/SRgX-73Egh0/s320/IMGP0143.JPG" /></a><br />
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You can see the Island behind me in the distance<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TL28RtAHSeI/AAAAAAAAABg/uMm76JOIXgg/s1600/IMGP0140.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TL28RtAHSeI/AAAAAAAAABg/uMm76JOIXgg/s320/IMGP0140.JPG" /></a><br />
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It was not just the view of Vancouver Island that caught me, Cape Flatterly is a generally beautiful area! <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TL28eOHXa7I/AAAAAAAAAB4/3qRy4_AVx6E/s1600/IMGP0146.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TL28eOHXa7I/AAAAAAAAAB4/3qRy4_AVx6E/s320/IMGP0146.JPG" /></a><br />
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rough terrain!! poor Franchesqua!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TL28gB8J9cI/AAAAAAAAAB8/bnl3U0qYlEM/s1600/IMGP0147.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TL28gB8J9cI/AAAAAAAAAB8/bnl3U0qYlEM/s320/IMGP0147.JPG" /></a><br />
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more beautiful scenery from the cape<br />
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While I was at the Cape, I met a girl named Lindsy, from Virginia on her very own adventures. It chanced that this girl Lindsy was planning on hitting Shi Shi beach next (where I, also, was going) and had a bike rack; I hitched a ride with her.<br />
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Shi Shi Beach was spectacular. A long beach ending in huge rock pillars and arches on either side.<br />
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Lindsy and I could not resist the temptation to sit down and have a nice collaborative lunch: smoked salmon, vegetarian chili, and rice. It was rather nice to have someone else to help experience the beauty of such an area.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TL3D1EV0K2I/AAAAAAAAACI/y6hh01FYVNE/s1600/IMGP0150.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TL3D1EV0K2I/AAAAAAAAACI/y6hh01FYVNE/s320/IMGP0150.JPG" /></a><br />
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one of those pillars I mentioned, this one appears to be sideways.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TL3D6ik7gfI/AAAAAAAAACU/nwEBZQPXdr4/s1600/IMGP0153.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TL3D6ik7gfI/AAAAAAAAACU/nwEBZQPXdr4/s320/IMGP0153.JPG" /></a><br />
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lots of pillars and arches on our right,<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TL3D_IDnqdI/AAAAAAAAACc/LTr0xZh22DA/s1600/IMGP0155.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TL3D_IDnqdI/AAAAAAAAACc/LTr0xZh22DA/s320/IMGP0155.JPG" /></a><br />
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even more to our left; beautiful beach!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TL3EAwtgjYI/AAAAAAAAACg/XbSr40usDJw/s1600/IMGP0156.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TL3EAwtgjYI/AAAAAAAAACg/XbSr40usDJw/s320/IMGP0156.JPG" /></a><br />
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The muck we had to hike through to get there. It was very worth it!<br />
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When we got back to the car, we parted ways<br />
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Thanks for a great time Lindsy!<br />
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I rode back to Vicky and Francesca's house from the beach and, after packing up all of my things, I then made my departure by Clallam County Transit (in my opinion, best rural transit service ever!!) to Forks: Vampire Town!!<br />
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I was unable to get a-hold of my couch surfing contact in Forks, so I was thinking I might camp out; however, the bus driver, Doug, let me crash at his house for the night. We had lots of great conversation and in the morning, we had steak and eggs. Doug then sent me off with a safety vest and a rock climbing harness, off to Quinault Lake!<br />
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Thanks Doug!! You Rock!<br />
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After riding a whopping (in my opinion) 110 km, I arrived into Quinault, and made the executive decision to buy myself an actual dinner for the first time on my trip. It was a wonderful thing. I then proceeded to Willaby Campground where I was planning to spend the night. My initial impression of the campground was that it was empty, however, after a little search, I did in fact find some very awesome neighbors who gave me beer and more delicious food upon arrival. <br />
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Jesse, Stephanie, and Amic (said neighbors) were planning on going on a hike the next day, and I joined them! The four of us climbed Colonel Bob the morning of the 17th, and had an amazing time doing it! when we finally reached the top, I am pretty sure all four of us passed right out for at least a few minutes. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TL3Jg4wrloI/AAAAAAAAACk/0ma5cL9atZU/s1600/IMGP0157.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TL3Jg4wrloI/AAAAAAAAACk/0ma5cL9atZU/s320/IMGP0157.JPG" /></a><br />
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fire weed along the hike<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TL3JlSSmyhI/AAAAAAAAACs/I_usqaZ0u3g/s1600/IMGP0159.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TL3JlSSmyhI/AAAAAAAAACs/I_usqaZ0u3g/s320/IMGP0159.JPG" /></a><br />
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real nice views<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TL3JqKDwKVI/AAAAAAAAAC0/Gq4JnW9ZiLE/s1600/IMGP0161.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TL3JqKDwKVI/AAAAAAAAAC0/Gq4JnW9ZiLE/s320/IMGP0161.JPG" /></a><br />
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it was cold up there in the shade!<br />
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there I am, looking over the Olympics<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TL3JuyiuoSI/AAAAAAAAAC8/dw6qV4Xp0vs/s1600/IMGP0163.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TL3JuyiuoSI/AAAAAAAAAC8/dw6qV4Xp0vs/s320/IMGP0163.JPG" /></a><br />
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(from left to right) Jesse, Stephanie, Amic, and myself.<br />
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After we came down, I hitched a ride with Jesse and Amic to Aberdeen, as they were already headed in that direction, and then I found myself in a strange predicament.<br />
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After arriving, I tried to go to the hostel in Aberdeen, despite the bad reviews. I was told that I could not stay there. Not because it was full, but because this particular hostel is the only one in the world (I'm pretty sure) that requires a reservation. So there I was, in the street of a grungy town as it was starting to turn to night. I was lucky enough to meet up with another Canadian who knew the area pretty well, and he suggested a place for me to stay: the local union gospel mission. I called them up and I stayed there on a top bunk. If you know me, you might know how different this experience was for me; however, it was free, and they fed me. When the early morning of the next day came, on I went further South huffing and puffing as I pedaled. I arrived into Raymond, my goal for the night after almost 90 km. But again, I had no place to stay due to the lack of Internet I had had the previous nights.<br />
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I was on a mad search for Wifi; I was lucky enough to have found a small coffee shop in South Bend (3 or so miles from Raymond) that provided Wifi, and checked out the potential surf spots. There was only one available place, and I hoped real bad that this person answer my emails! As it turned out, she, being Chanda, did reply with a yes!!! I caught Chanda as she was on her way to teach her yoga class, she invited me to join. My muscles screamed with joy!! All of that went well, and so did my sleep; so well I stayed a second night to recooporate from all my mountain climbing and biking. <br />
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The second night was even better: Chanda invited a friend of her's over, and I stuffed the three of us with a yummy dinner! Great fun!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCE_9WKCOI/AAAAAAAAADA/zd5mWFaYTgA/s1600/IMGP0169.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCE_9WKCOI/AAAAAAAAADA/zd5mWFaYTgA/s320/IMGP0169.JPG" /></a><br />
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How often do couchsurfers get to eat like this?<br />
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South Bend was a Beautiful Place, but I needed to try and keep up with the sun, so off I went.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCHSg6QxuI/AAAAAAAAADE/ciFc7h0ZuJU/s1600/IMGP0171.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCHSg6QxuI/AAAAAAAAADE/ciFc7h0ZuJU/s320/IMGP0171.JPG" /></a><br />
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The old Court House<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCHi1CkPdI/AAAAAAAAADI/DSAvmZAyhyQ/s1600/IMGP0166.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCHi1CkPdI/AAAAAAAAADI/DSAvmZAyhyQ/s320/IMGP0166.JPG" /></a><br />
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nice views from the coffee shop<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCHyCfIbOI/AAAAAAAAADM/XcLwnQfkvPI/s1600/IMGP0167.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCHyCfIbOI/AAAAAAAAADM/XcLwnQfkvPI/s320/IMGP0167.JPG" /></a><br />
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nice views from the coffee shop<br />
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We come to yesterday, where I rode some 122 km. Right from South Bend, to Astoria, Oregon.<br />
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I had planned to stay in Long Beach, however, my hosts did not get back to me in time. I was either to camp in Long Beach, or go right to Astoria. As it turned out, I made really great time and was able to check out Long Beach! <br />
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While on my way, I reached 500 km on my trip odometer, <br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCJYAh8ftI/AAAAAAAAADQ/LYmncwFwiMU/s1600/IMGP0172.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCJYAh8ftI/AAAAAAAAADQ/LYmncwFwiMU/s320/IMGP0172.JPG" /></a><br />
I had to do 60 km before lunch<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCJoEBhY3I/AAAAAAAAADU/DVTu8We4keI/s1600/IMGP0173.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCJoEBhY3I/AAAAAAAAADU/DVTu8We4keI/s320/IMGP0173.JPG" /></a><br />
the view at 500<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCJ47mJJ-I/AAAAAAAAADY/-rz2Qt6dSx0/s1600/IMGP0174.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCJ47mJJ-I/AAAAAAAAADY/-rz2Qt6dSx0/s320/IMGP0174.JPG" /></a><br />
A mushroom was on the side of the road: Amic, Steph, and Jesse, what kind is this one?<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCKJ9aQP0I/AAAAAAAAADc/yjWUyXPrMpo/s1600/IMGP0175.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCKJ9aQP0I/AAAAAAAAADc/yjWUyXPrMpo/s320/IMGP0175.JPG" /></a><br />
same ol' mushroom<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCKaINIqRI/AAAAAAAAADg/rKEObdaMeok/s1600/IMGP0176.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCKaINIqRI/AAAAAAAAADg/rKEObdaMeok/s320/IMGP0176.JPG" /></a><br />
this is a crazy long beach<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCKoaU_8XI/AAAAAAAAADk/20MiFywBf_g/s1600/IMGP0177.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCKoaU_8XI/AAAAAAAAADk/20MiFywBf_g/s320/IMGP0177.JPG" /></a><br />
beautiful trail to ride at long beach!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCLYIq5zqI/AAAAAAAAADw/SgJBnpnHepI/s1600/IMGP0180.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCLYIq5zqI/AAAAAAAAADw/SgJBnpnHepI/s320/IMGP0180.JPG" /></a><br />
views from the trail<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCLobVwilI/AAAAAAAAAD0/CCOCGFfXZr4/s1600/IMGP0181.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCLobVwilI/AAAAAAAAAD0/CCOCGFfXZr4/s320/IMGP0181.JPG" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCL4yJ2hXI/AAAAAAAAAD4/1PeJfNOCMFA/s1600/IMGP0182.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCL4yJ2hXI/AAAAAAAAAD4/1PeJfNOCMFA/s320/IMGP0182.JPG" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCMKDpmAYI/AAAAAAAAAD8/OoxtZ09f3Kg/s1600/IMGP0183.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCMKDpmAYI/AAAAAAAAAD8/OoxtZ09f3Kg/s320/IMGP0183.JPG" /></a><br />
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When I reached the Astoria Bridge, I could not stop smiling and laughing.<br />
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that is a whole lotta' bridge!<br />
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After what seemed like ages on the Astoria Brigde, I arrived down town. Although I don't have any pictures, it was a beautiful little place. I got a place in the hostel, and slept soundly!<br />
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I am now headed to seaside, where I will decide whether to go to Portland, or stick to the coast.<br />
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I am done with that washington thing!!! this map below shows where I went. Dotted lines depict me getting a ride, and the solid lines represent what I did on my bike.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCMaherkeI/AAAAAAAAAEA/QDduEXIhbYw/s1600/IMGP0184.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TMCMaherkeI/AAAAAAAAAEA/QDduEXIhbYw/s400/IMGP0184.JPG" /></a><br />
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I have made a discovery. when someone tells me "it's only a few more miles", the word "only" is not appropriate. 3 miles is quite a bit more work than 3 kilometers.<br />
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Sprecial Thanks to <br />
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Doug: The best bus driver ever!!!!!<br />
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Chanda and Elijah: Thank you so much for letting me stay both nights!!! I really enjoyed my time spent with you guys! (too bad Chuck was not present!)<br />
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Stephanie, Jesse, and Amic: I had an absolutely amazing time with the three of you! thanks so much for feeding me, beering me, and bringing me along on such a nice hike! (I know I am spelling "Amic's" name wrong.. sorry!)Robertohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712579829585624733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150469436753598521.post-48192109966821160592010-10-15T01:17:00.000-07:002010-10-15T01:17:52.818-07:00Here I am in Neah BayI left Canada on my own for the first time in my life on Tuesday morning; I took the 10:30 Coho Ferry From Victoria. I was caught offgaurd at loading time when I found out that I, being on my bike, was not considered a vehicle! (does anyone else find that odd?), in stead I was a VERY awkward walk on passenger. Thankfully, I was not the only person in such a situation. A fellow bike-ist, Ian from the Okanagan, also happened to beheading South; though he was heading directly to San Fran, I thought it might be interesting to meet up again as I pass through to compare travel stories. Ian and I parted when we left the boat, both off on grand adventures.<br />
When I arrived into town at Port Angeles, I went to my Hostel "Thor Town" to figure out if I was missing anything for the next days ride. the only thing I really needed was an ipod charger, because the one that I had bought earlier that same day in Victoria did not work (Oh yeah, Brother Andy gave me an iPod Touch for my trip, it is really handy!). so off I went to find one of those as well as a few groceries. When I returned, I started making my dinner Claude, my roommate for the evening came in.<br />
Claude is a young man from Quebec who also happened to be on his way to South America as well, though his method of transportation is mainly by use of his thumb. We were also thinking we might like to meet up to compare adventures. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="photos dk1Border shadow" height="232" src="http://www.hostelz.com/pics/hostels/reviewer/22/742122.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thor Town (stolen from Hostelz.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
That was my Tuesday, and immediately proceeding Tuesday, as we all know, comes Wednesday. On Wednesday, I rode 85 km to Clallam Bay along the scariest road to exist (I'm sure) in the US, 112; it is even comparable to the road from Port Albernie to Uke. Scary though it was, the breath taking views that I saw along this threatening road were worth the risk (well, nearly). In future, I plan not to ignore local people's warnings. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TLgM1IyLdZI/AAAAAAAAABM/OXKXRnn0D-A/s1600/IMGP0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TLgM1IyLdZI/AAAAAAAAABM/OXKXRnn0D-A/s320/IMGP0125.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am very happy to be off that road for a moment</td></tr>
</tbody></table> When I arrived in Clallam Bay I was initially surprised, as I intended to stop and have a break at a community that I read on the map to be 15 or so km prior to Clallam Bay; I apparently missed it. Regardless of how I missed a little town, I knew two things: that I was intending to camp, and that I needed some fresh vegetables to do so. To aquire the veg, I rolled into a little organic food co-op.<br />
At this particular shop, I met first, Terry and Jane, and then to join them, George. The trio could possibly be the nicest people in the world. Having seen my bike, Terry and Jane asked my about my trip and found out about my couch surfing, the two then began <span style="background-color: white;">phoning the whole town in search of availiable couches. I ended up staying with a particularly amazing woman named Karen, and her foster son Mannie, both of whome made me feel truely welcome into their home. After a bit of fishing with mannie and a filling dinner, my agenda read a good night's sleep! The next stop for me was Neah bay. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TLgEvMfy0II/AAAAAAAAAAo/oYC0Yi7kz6E/s1600/IMGP0128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TLgEvMfy0II/AAAAAAAAAAo/oYC0Yi7kz6E/s320/IMGP0128.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful view of late afternoon in Clallam Bay</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TLgFALkQQfI/AAAAAAAAAAs/vR9oniv9ppo/s1600/IMGP0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TLgFALkQQfI/AAAAAAAAAAs/vR9oniv9ppo/s320/IMGP0127.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terry, Jane and George. The three were more than happy to make an aquaintance</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TLgMlWcI-gI/AAAAAAAAABI/KYl3Yu1RUt0/s1600/IMGP0134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TLgMlWcI-gI/AAAAAAAAABI/KYl3Yu1RUt0/s320/IMGP0134.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This nice couple that I met at the beach at Clallam Bay apparently knows Luise from Bikeworks! how crazy is that?</div>at least that is what conclusion we came to. Their names are Barney and Mary from Gypsy. Barney being a banjo player<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The two would really love to hear from you Louise! and I'd really like to hear about the Bike works! email me at <a href="mailto:robert.wslade@gmail.com">robert.wslade@gmail.com</a> to find out their address!! </div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TLgFUoh-ynI/AAAAAAAAAAw/tcooxpvEmYg/s1600/IMGP0133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TLgFUoh-ynI/AAAAAAAAAAw/tcooxpvEmYg/s320/IMGP0133.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clallam bay beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TLgFu-EepGI/AAAAAAAAAA0/v6sO2PC4w2A/s1600/IMGP0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TLgFu-EepGI/AAAAAAAAAA0/v6sO2PC4w2A/s320/IMGP0135.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen and Mannie's home in Clallam Bay; an artistic little home</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I had infact hesitated traveling to Neah Bay, however, this evening I am finding that I am very glad I did. Vicky, my house-stay, and her daughter Francesqua are both very wonderful people. Vicky seems in my eyes in a type of mother goose position: she just loves to take in travelers like myself under her wing for a few days to make them feel at home and exchange stories. As for tomorrow, I will first be experienceing some of the most amazing sights to be seen, and then off to Forks I go.</span><br />
I'll keep posting<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TLgF-1BwMYI/AAAAAAAAAA4/aFpDBx_EAjg/s1600/IMGP0136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TLgF-1BwMYI/AAAAAAAAAA4/aFpDBx_EAjg/s320/IMGP0136.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A long long beach beside the road. It was like this all the way from Clallam to Neah</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TLgGOMzjaaI/AAAAAAAAAA8/wzM8jaCjFjw/s1600/IMGP0137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TLgGOMzjaaI/AAAAAAAAAA8/wzM8jaCjFjw/s320/IMGP0137.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A real windy road beautiful scenery</td></tr>
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I would like to offer my sincere gratitude to the following:<br />
Terry and Jane from the Organic Co-op in Clallam who gave me great experience and great conversation (and great produce!) I look forward to seeing you two again<br />
Karen and Mannie from Clallam -- my unexpected hosts-- thank you so much for inviting me into your home!! I really appreciate it<br />
Vicky and Francesca of Neah Bay whose experiences and stories are truely enriching, I felt very welcome in your home<br />
The logging truck drivers of 112, thanks for not running me over! phewph!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Robertohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712579829585624733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150469436753598521.post-34620270591961797122010-10-11T23:28:00.000-07:002010-10-11T23:28:23.219-07:00the first day: 60.68kmI left this morning at about 11am, and with my friends and father to send me off, made my way to victoria for the night. I was lucky enough for my dad, Paul, to come with me all the way; it was his first longer bike trip in a long, long time (not to say you're old dad, because you're not). Thanks so much everybody!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TLP3bKSH4tI/AAAAAAAAAAY/Pd8w-Xm0Knw/s320/IMGP0120.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As my father, Paul, takes a picture, all but myself find lifting their bike to be an easy task (Mill Bay ferry terminal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TLP3bKSH4tI/AAAAAAAAAAY/Pd8w-Xm0Knw/s1600/IMGP0120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
I had an absurdly lucky day in that I had only one break down (being the first day, there is usually room for lots of breakdowns). This particular mechanical malfunction resulted from myself neglecting to tighten the bolts on my rear rattrap. I lost one of these particular bolts while on the Brentwood bay ferry somehow (sabbatage?! haha) Coming off of the ferry into brentwood bay, I immediately noticed something was wrong, and held up ferry traffic while I tried to figure things out. It turned out that the loose rattrap knocked my quickrelease to "release" and loosened my wheel to rub the side of my frame. <br />
Soon enough we were back on the road, thanks to a very kind stranger who chanced to have his antique store open on the holiday monday. we arrived in victoria at almost exactly four o'clock, with 60.68 km my my odometer. <br />
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My full load is a lot! holy geeze! we estimated it to be something around 75 pounds? I will try to get a somewhat accurate measurement in near future.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TLP5yvLCqbI/AAAAAAAAAAc/SwC4VtS-svU/s320/IMGP0119.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fully loaded Franchesqua complete with empty plastic water cup</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TLP5yvLCqbI/AAAAAAAAAAc/SwC4VtS-svU/s1600/IMGP0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>My next week is planned like this:<br />
tuesday: take Coho to port angeles, stay night in local hostel (I know easy day!)<br />
wednesday: attempt a ride to callalm bay (apprx. 80km), camp out in the bush a ways either way<br />
thursday: ride to Neah Bay (apprx. 35km), stay with first couch surfing host! <br />
I hope to make my next entry on Thursday night.<br />
I also hope that everyone had a great Canadian Thanksgiving!!Robertohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712579829585624733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150469436753598521.post-34864034951606551182010-10-07T21:06:00.000-07:002010-10-08T17:15:17.304-07:00Just about to leave<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Blog entry number 1!<br />
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I'm stoked,<br />
<br />
Duncan to Chile, it'll be quite the trip</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I leave on Monday. It is Friday. that's sneaky!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TK-wjHvMPkI/AAAAAAAAAAU/-X6z676KGr4/s1600/IMGP0110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XTAksnwpGZY/TK-wjHvMPkI/AAAAAAAAAAU/-X6z676KGr4/s320/IMGP0110.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The above is what I have to pack. a whole lotta stuff</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">probably too much, but I will discover that along the way!</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">So I've got all that on the way; today is my own deadline to pack, just because I have a really busy weekend ahead of me -- Thanksgiving and all.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Tomorrow night I am having a goodbye potlatch with most of my friends</div><div style="text-align: left;">It'll be really nice to see everyone before I go</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Robertohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15712579829585624733noreply@blogger.com1