Chapter 38

Chapter 38

 

 

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2008

 

Mc Grath Beach to Santa Monica 59 miles

 

Woke up this morning to the upturned bins and the mess the racoons have left. After we tidy up, we agree to meet later today at the Leo Carillo State Beach, as it’s the last hiker/biker camp before south Los Angeles. It’s only a short run, 27 miles. 

I’m slow out of the blocks today. One reason is that I have my tent folded, packed and stowed and discover the keys of my bike lock are inside the tent in one of the tent pockets. So, all has to be unloaded and opened to get the keys. My language is foul!! Everyone is gone before I’m ready to go, so I head off alone. 3 miles down the road and no breakfast in me I find a Subway and sojourn for a sandwich and coffee.

While I’m having it they kindly charge up my phone for me. Off again and into Port Hueneme, a huge American Naval Base and from there, across miles and miles of farm land. 100's of acres of parsley, (no kidding) And a place where the grow lawn turf, 100's of acres. Wild!! 

Around the naval base I cycle around a display of Fighter Jets and Missiles. See the pics! Amazing to be up this close and personal to this display. I soon hit the coast again and some fantastic beaches. Lots of surfers and beach people generally. Nobody seems to work here. I soon come onto my destination of Leo Carillo Beach Park. Cycling in, there is no one there that I know and it’s still early in the day. I’m feeling fit. Its too early to be stopping. What would I do? Hanging around is not what I’m about. I can’t justify stopping this early. So, I decide to move on. The guys will realise that, when I don’t show up and sure I’ll see them tomorrow on the road anyway. 

A group of teenagers on the road see me coming and have the craic. Where you coming from buddy, says one...? I say Vancouver... and he nearly gets sick... wow awesome!! The girls go 'way to go man'. RESPECT!! That’s an ego booster! I can still impress. So, on up the road and a few miles further on I see Malibu! 

Did you ever think?? Long sprawling beach goes for miles. I decide to go another 20 miles and then get a motel. We had already decided that the Leo Carillo Beach Park was the last for a while.

Malibu is nothing to see or write home about, except if you’re impressed by the people who build these homes on stilts right on the beach! Anyone tell them about storms and stuff...? Apparently not! 

It’s a magnificent beach with huge seas and surfers but apart from that no big deal, so move on. I’m gone my 20 miles along some horrendously busy roads, through beach towns where no quarter is given. I’m worried about my bags sticking out when these guys pass me. So, I decide.. a motel here anywhere will do. But NO HOTELS, NO MOTELS just rich beach front houses and nothing approximating a lodging house. Ok move on, Topanga.. nothing! Santa Monica where the drivers actually want to kill you! But no hotels!! 

Starting to panic now... visions of sleeping on the beach. I join the Santa Monica bike path down along the beach for safety sake. Horrendously unsafe as it turns out. Covered in dry sand. One sharp turn and down I’ll go. Seen it happening a couple of times. Not to me, thankfully.

 

 

 

 

Then you see it.. Roller bladers, skate boarders, chicks bursting out of hot pants, jogging with ear phones, kids on bikes, boards and anything that has wheels, beach bums, body builders, muscles and boobs, legs and ... the rest! Lovers, liars, smoke sellers and hustlers... all together in profusion. The beach, as I approach Venice Beach is thronged with people. 5pm. Hate to think what it’s like in full summer at mid-day. Mad!! Then onto Venice there is about 2 miles of stalls selling all sorts of beads, baubles, hats and the like. I think!!!!! Haight Street in San Francisco!!! It’s all moved here. This is the new hippie culture. Right here on Venice Beach in Santa Monica.. 

 

Anyway. my problem is not solved... where am I going to lay my weary head. Looking back, I should have taken more time there. But I need to settle my accommodation. I ask a taxi driver and he points me in a direction... Holiday Inn!! Great! You deserve luxury my boy after all you have been through..... book in... shower.. those little bottles of smellies and a soft bed and 2 TVs. I’ll attend to my own body now.... What muscles I have..... Long Beach California.. another iconic name. Tijuana looms in 2 days

 

Comment

Eileen said: Hi John. You are now very close to achieving your goal. These past weeks have flown by but maybe not for you given how hard you have worked to get this far. You will have great memories to reflect on when you get home. Are you planning to spend any time relaxing and sightseeing before you return home? You certainly deserve it but perhaps you are already planning your next adventure! Enjoy the remainder of this one. Take it easy. Love x

 

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