ROUTE 66 (DAY 14)

The colder temperature at the beach probably was why I enjoyed such a good sleep after many hot, sweaty nights in the camper. Although we are in the month of July, this weather on the coast is referred to as June Gloom. The day starts out overcast and cold but then this marine layer eventually burns off and the sunshine returns. I got off to an early start because I planned to ride all the way to Sebastopol, CA and visit my old college buddy, Daniel Osmer.

Riding Hwy. 1 is always a treat with endless miles of wonderful twisty roads with breathtaking views around every corner. After awhile one can almost slip into visual overload and instead of stopping for a photo opportunity every few minutes it's nice to simply ride and drink in the view.
Here's a shot I had taken early in the day. Check out my new ultra short haircut.

Above is the famous Bixby Bridge which I've noticed in some Hollywood movie scenes. Below is just a photo to show the dry grassy hills that have been scorched by an extended drought in the state of California. People are being asked to conserve water and no fireworks or open fires are permitted.

My good old GPS tool me from Monterrey to Daniels place that avoided the Golden Gate Bridge and took me across the Richmond Bridge instead on the east side of San Francisco. I was disappointed even though I've seen and crossed the Golden Gate many times. I managed to get through the big city right at rush hour so I was stuck in some nasty traffic for about an hour and a half. I met up with Daniel at the French Garden Restaurant , his second home. 

I had a beer and a nice fresh salad with grilled chicken. We talked. I met some of his friends. It was getting late so I followed him back to his place, a small camper trailer parked out of town in a friend's driveway. He offered me a real bed in the house complete with it's own bathroom. I read for awhile and then it was lights out for me.