March 1, 2001

This is it!  I am about to begin my ride.  First i ride up to the Balboa Park send off event, then it is on to my first stop in Campo, CA.  To begin on National Peace Corps Day, March 1, 2002.  Send off event scheduled at Balboa Park in San Diego in conjunction with One World Our World, and Peace Corps at 10am.  Lots of 5th graders, not much taller than myself, cheered me on as i was sent on my way EAST.  "Happy Trails to You,"  was my inspirational send-off song!  Thanks to their song....I sung this tune for the next 30+ miles... Definitely hard to say good bye to my friends that attended the send-off event.  Many thanks to my sister Jennifer, friends Justin and Victor and the rest of my fan club, including Hank and Rudy of One World Our World! Up and up I went....until i could go no further.  Just 10 miles shy of my original intentions, Justin came to my rescue to find us a campground close by.  I had not anticipated the tough climb up in altitude with my trailer.  We set up camp in the Portrero County Park.  Hot showers and  campfire, accompanied by MRE meals and the company of my favorite RPCV Justin Berger...what more can a tired cyclist ask?

March 2, 2001

Not much sleep considering the fact that a wind storm moved in during the night.  My sidekick took off for San Diego while i took refuge in the bathroom to both recharge my cell phone and to keep warm, hoping the winds would die down so that i could ride on to the next destination.  Finally I decided that to make my way EAST despite the strong winds...up and up approximately 15 miles and i had had enough.  Riding up a mountain against the wind was not part of the plan so I phoned my rescue plan and Justin indeed drove out to cater to my request.  Due to the strong wind warnings and questionable terrain ahead, i asked him to drive me and my bike out of the danger zone, down, down and down approximately 2,000ft until i arrived at my destination of Ocotillo, CA.  I know, some may say this is cheating, but i consider safety first and i need to be in good shape for a long ride ahead.  OCOTILLO, CA was equivalent to my idea of paradise...no wind, warm sun, and friendly folks at the Jackson Hide-A-Way RV park.  The owner gifted me his spare RV for the night and showed me the accomodations available.  After saying my good byes to Rescue Plan Justin (I miss you already!) and making some phone calls, i was asleep by 7pm.  Absolutely exhausted from the wind and sun, not to mention cycling up that mountain!!!!!

March 3,2001

Good morning from OCOTILLO, CA.  A nice chat with the owners of the RV park over coffee and some good wishes for the journey ahead.  What a fabulous day for a bike ride.  I travelled on the frontage road SR86 until I arrived in El Centro, CA, some 30 miles later.  After asking around for campsites in the area, i soon learned that none existed so i decided to head towards my destination of BRAWLEY, CA.  A nice flat 17 miles north.  Ultimately i decided that i had to splurge for a motel since there were no campsites and the owner of the RV park in town was "out."    The Desert Motel gave me a friendly discount.

March 4,2001

Off to a late start today....but I headed out to the sand dune capital of GLAMIS, CA.  What a ride!  Absolutely beautiful sand dunes just like the Looney Tunes cartoons.  I could practically see Bugs Bunny or the Road Runner playing practical jokes from just beyond the last dune...  At times i could watch the off roaders playing with their recreational vehicles in the sand.  At about 2:30pm i decided that i had to make camp at the Beach Store in Glamis.  With permission from the only residence in town....I set up camp by their home and the railroad tracks.  Maybe that has something to do with why i had recurring dreams of being run over by a train?!

March 5,2001

Early start to PALO VERDE, CA along 78.  Nice rolling hills all the way.  I am feeling myself get stronger (mentally at least) with pulling my trailer.  Made the 40 mile journey in good time and spirits.  Met two cyclists who left San Diego two days after me (Sunday) and were passing me today!  I set up camp at the hospitable Tamarisk Trailer Park.  The Towns only cafe is closed on Tuesdays...go figure!  I feel GREAT!  Struggled to stay awake until 8pm to use free cellphone minutes...not successful.

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