It was another grey and drizzly day to start. The fog had lifted by the time we departed camp, to reveal a lush green rural landscape dotted with surprisingly rocky hills.
We saw many different animals along our morning journey--buffalo included. We stopped by a van of bird-watchers to find out that they had spotted a ferruginous hawk. Apparently it migrates through California and is only in this area for one week out of the year.
Today's ride was full of gently rolling hills, and we followed their path through sweetly-scented orange groves and avocado farms. It was interesting to see the stumps of the trees which will soon have the avocado branches grafted onto them.
cloudy but beautiful views...at least we can see them today!
At the water stop, sunscreen and waterproof socks were applied. Some were more creative than others in the waterproof sock category...Bill proudly shows off his very expensive grocery bag solution. Anne won the category, though, with her orange newspaper bag-duct tape creations. High fashion is needed with this crowd! :) Good times!
Lots of off-the-bike botanizing was enjoyed along the 10-mile bike path to the ocean. On-the-bike botanizing was quickly found to be somewhat hazardous to the rider and promptly discontinued! I have absolutely no idea what kind of flower this is, but it was pretty. :)
The Dawdlers stop for a long-anticipated pizza and beer at Pizza Port in Solana Beach. I enjoyed a couple glasses of a wonderful pear cider with a piping-hot spinach-bacon pizza. Lovely.
Then it was onto our next dinner at camp and our final map meeting! One last campfire at which I somehow managed to melt just the heels of my riding shoes...still a mystery. Watching the flames to the accompaniment of the roar of the ocean surf was a perfect moment of absolute stillness and peace.
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