Wednesday, March 4, 2015

A good day of riding.  Started in the desert - part of the YUHA desert.  Lots of sand and scrub.  It was unusual to feel warm.  Went thtough a place called Plaster City.  Nothing there but a dry wall plant(ironic).  The road was incredibly rough for the first 20 miles, but smoothed out after while. After a couplee of hours of riding,  the landscape went though a total transformation in a matter of 100 yards.  There was desert, then  I crossed the Westside Canal, and instantly there were lush fields of alfalfa and giant football field sized stacks of hay bales wrapped in a tentlike covering.  I was now in the  Imperial Valley.  Lots and lots of different crops grown  with Colorado River water I was told.  The hay is mostly sent overseas to the Japanese.  

Ended up in Brawley staying with a nice couple who host cyclists.  I was indocinated into the south west today.  Someone called me "pardner".  Last night and this morning I was treated to a great symphony of bird song.  I am not an expert by any means, but I don't think I have ever heard these bird voices before.  Quite colorful.  

Spent a bit of time in a bar last night ( the only bathroom I could find).  Most of you may know this, but for someone who doesn't frequent many bars I was stunned that someone in that bar in a little town in California could play a game of darts with an opponent who was playing his portion of the game in Canada.  Old hat to some.  I was impressed.

    I finally saw some wildlife.  One little bunny rabbit.  No shoulder refuse to report- mostly because there weren't many shoulders to report on.  Tomorrow I head towards Blythe.  I won't get that far, but it will give you an idea of the direction I'll be heading.  48 miles today.  Tomorrow we see what I am made of.  70 miles - and I have to make it because there isn't anything between. I am definitely getting into the rhythm of the bike.  Body parts are still not totally happy, but getting used to riding every day. The biggest struggle is learning to eat enough and drink enough.  It will come.  Til later.