87km out of 2656km so far

I woke up earlier than normal, in an attempt to make use of as much daylight as possible, now that the days are getting shorter. But of course there is always something to delay my start. I can’t complain though, as Bill the biker, offered to cook breakfast for me and another cyclist. He is cruising the coast with his dog Miss Bella, on a Harley pulling a small camper’s trailer that can carry everything but a sink. He mentioned that his grandmother was Greek, so it made it easier to bond.

Bill, Bella, the Harley and the trailer at the back

I left the campground at around 10am and continued on the coastal road for a bit.

Surfers, dolphins and birds in formation

It didn’t take long for the route to take me a few kilometers inland, so I lost the view of the ocean. I spent a good couple of hours cycling next to vast farmlands. Despite what I wrote yesterday about the smaller, organic and more varied farms, today it was the exact opposite. Fascinating to see how much plastic is used in farming. An entire valley covered in black film. Some signs on the way warm for toxic pesticides. I am assuming they are pumping chemicals into the ground to make it fertile again. Just a bit worrying that the soil is considered toxic, when it’s ok to eat what comes out of it.

Workers in front of the farm house

No trespassing to the plastic sea

Fresh, local, GM, toxic, soon to be lettuce

Unhealthy even for the tarmac

After the farming back roads, I moved to Moss Landing, a small coastal town next to the end of Elkhorn river. I stopped by the state park, hoping to see some condors. Bill mentioned yesterday, I may see some in the area. Unfortunately I didn’t have any luck. It was hot and I was getting hungry, so I stopped for dinner at a small restaurant by the power plant, for some calamari.

Easy Rider

Moss Landing State Park

Just plant some trees to hide the power plant

Vintage building

A few kilometers down the road, I joined a bike path that took me all the way to Monterey, my next destination. At first it went through some not so interesting areas, but then it moved closer to the coast and the big dunes of the Sand City. The aloe plants all around me were like a colorful carpet going from green, to red, to black. A surfer kid I was talking with earlier, mentioned that they are good to make small wounds heal faster.

By Sand City

I got to Monterey and checked in at the hostel of the town. Tomorrow I am heading to Big Sur, which is a remote area stretching for more than 100km. I needed some food supplies and prepared a few things for the next couple of days. After a shower, I went back out to have a closer look to the town and have some dinner. The town has an old part right by the water, with the old factories where they used to tin fish. A really nice town, but at parts if felt very touristic. I guess I am a tourist, so that’s ok.

Jesus seal

65km out of 2569km so far

Today, was a great day. I set my destination to Santa Cruz, not far from Pigeon Point, so I took my time to see and enjoy the places on the way. I had a good night sleep, I had a good breakfast and I was out of the door by 10am. The weather thermostat was set to the optimal temperature of 23c making the ride very pleasant. The scenery around me fairly dry, with sparse trees and bushes. The road followed the coast and on every turn the cliff revealed a different beach.

My new best buddy

Tom Cruise is watching you

I better stay out

I’ve been seeing farms all along my trip, but further up north I always remembered larger scale farms, producing just a few different crops. The southern I go, the smaller farms I see producing a bigger variety of vegetables and fruits. Since I left San Fransisco, apart from pumpkins, I see many strawberries. A couple offered me a little box last night at the hostel. This morning on my way I came across this strawberry farm, selling jam and other goods. The sign indicating 10% discount for cyclists, attracted my attention. I stopped to have a closer look and the little shop was a nice surprise. I tried many different jams and got my self a strawberry jam scone for later. Very interesting was the fact the shop was operating an honesty tilt, without anyone to serve me.

Give money, take change, be honest

The king of the pumpkins!

The other side of the bay. Seems like there is a forest fire.

I was looking for a lunch spot and a shadow so I turned off the highway to Wilder Ranch State Park. A historic 200 years old range that was donated to the state and it’s now open to the public. I wondered around a bit and had a stop under a tree, where I met Bill who gave me plenty of advices for the next couple of days of my trip, including a nice cycle path that would take me straight into Santa Cruz.

The bike path was indeed just around the corner and within a couple of kilometers I crossed the boundaries of the city and entered into a whole different vibe. It was like the time went back and it was summer again. The temperature had climbed to 30c and everyone seemed to be out and about. People in flip flops and tShirts, surfing, cycling, playing beach volley and all the rest. Santa Cruz with the iconic roller coaster and the pier at the main beach, looks like a play land from a different era. It’s a mixture of Mexican architecture, Western lifestyle and plenty of wild life.

The bike path leading to Santa Cruz

The surf -dude

Santa Cruz indeed

‘Check out my ride’

All along the coast, hundreds of pelicans gathered on top of rocks and other were flying in formation. Other birds would dive into the water to catch fish. Seals swimming around, screaming, climbing on to rocks and on the structure of the pier. Someone even pointed out to me a whale into the distance.

Pelicans and Tom Cruise

Seals under the pier

I stopped by a supermarket for supplies and moved on to the campsite of New Brighton State Beach, where I spent the night. A good spot, but maybe a little noise next to the highway. It had a good access to the beach though.

Goodnight