Chapter 41

Chapter 41

 

 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2008

 

San Elijo State Beach to Mexican Border 54 miles

 

The morning breaks early.. The joggers start at 6am (can you believe it!!) No respect for the elderly who want a lie in.. Jim and I rise and get set for the day. We break camp for the last time and decide to go and have breakfast together before we take on the day. 

A young guy came to the camp last night to introduce himself. He lived in the town and had just completed his own Canada to Mexico border trip yesterday. He came down to see if we needed anything. I don’t know how he knew we were there, but I suspect he was so full of his own trip still and he didn’t want it to end. I think I know how he feels. It was he who told me about the great breakfast place. 

Over we go, and as we enter this crowd of guys say... 'Where you coming from?' We say 'Vancouver' and they exchange to each other 'didn’t I tell Ya'! RESPECT!! 

They go on to tell us about all the news that we have been missing. All about Leaman Brothers and bank closures and all that tedious stuff that has no interest to us. Sure, that has nothing to do with us! Little did we know. 

Great breakfast! Even though we know each other a short time there is a bit of sadness that its coming to an end. We exchange our emails and decide to say our goodbyes here, in case we do not see each other on the trip today. He has his stuff to do. 

I head off apace down the road. Feeling elated and excited about the day ahead. There are so many joggers on the bike path it’s like there is a marathon going on, Ladies in their shorts and T shirts, all carrying these big bum bags with water and the like. I can’t imagine what is in there. They look like a SWAT team. But it’s probably like their handbags. Full of junk and change... 

I thought all the climbs were behind me but entering La Jolla (pronounced La Hoya) there's a 3-mile climb about 6%. I’m passed by many, many road bikers. You get the impression they are trying to impress... fly by.. then run out of legs and slow.  But great support... guy goes by.. tips me on the back and says, 'awesome climbing man, fully loaded'. That is very heartening. I get near the top and a biker on the other side of the road who has stopped, shouts ' that’s great climbing buddy, with all those bags'. It’s enough to lift you over the crest. Also, guys going down on the other side shout encouragement when they see me. This has to be one of the great things about this trip. The support and the encouragement I have got. A true bonus!! Over the top and spinning now through La Jolla on the outskirts of San Diego, a nice area. As I wend my way around, following my direction book, up hills and down dales I join a short bike path that brings me out into a quiet estate of houses and as I slow to check my direction a voice comes from a garden. 'Where you coming from? ‘.. 'Vancouver!'.. Awesome!! I stop for a chat and in the conversation I say I am surprised by the support and encouragement I am getting, especially from people like him. He says, ' well man, you’re a traveler, you deserve encouragement'. I tell him I thought all the climbs were behind me and I refer to the climb at La Jolla. He says, ‘I know, I saw ya'’.  So, he knew I would come by some time later and waited for me. What about that?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On I go into San Diego. What a beautifully situated city. Lots of water, outdoor life. A great place to live from what I can see. I’m sitting at a light and this guy in a pick-up leans out the window.. ' Where you coming from?' 'Vancouver' I say... 'Didn’t I see you in Oregon a couple of weeks ago?' ' You could have!' 'Way to go man!!' ... and he is gone... No time to dawdle, the border beacons.. In my enthusiasm, I lose my way in National City. It’s like driving down the North Wall in Dublin only miles longer. I miss my turn and have to go into a Wendy burgers place to find my way. I meet some State Troopers who put me right. Soon I’m barreling down through Chula Vista. Getting distinctly Mexican now. And on into San Ysidro. 

 

I didn’t ask for a pronunciation here. Just go... your nearly there........I see the huge city ahead, of small houses and soon enter a congested town full of money changers shops. I know I’m close now. My map holder has fallen apart now, and my directions are confined to my back pocket, which means I have to keep stopping to refer to them.... Pass under US 805 freeway...right on Camino del la Plaza... cross the interstate 5.... and take the first left.. follow the signs for bus and taxi parking ... Then I see it ... like the M50 Toll Plaza except it’s got MEXICO above it.... WOW!! I’m Here!! I can’t believe it... I can’t be here ..after all this time.. 37 days with two days’ rest. 1984 miles. But I must be … there is a barrier says I can’t go any further.. 100's of people streaming into Mexico on foot through barriers.. it has to be true. And in a strange way it’s an anti-climax......

 

Comment

Amanda said: Wow John, what an amazing day for you… I can only imagine how you are feeling right now. You have had good and bad days, but you always turned the bad ones on their head and moved onwards and upwards… many lessons can be learned from reading your blog. You have done amazingly well, you must have discovered so much about yourself on this trip and hopefully you have made many lasting friendships also. We will meet up soon to have a good chat, roars of congrats from all here...time to open the bubbly!! :)

Mary said: HI JOHN it’s goodbye to the blog and well done to all your bike trips and welcome home at last

Sister Eileen said: Hi John Congratulations, you've done it. It certainly was not easy, but you kept going. We're proud of you brother. Hope to see you very soon. Much love x

And John replied (for the last time): Thanks Amanda Getting home Tuesday hope to see you soon. 

Ah Mary. Nice to hear from you. See you soon Eileen, Thanks again. I’ll be home Tuesday morning!