Taking Saturday as a rest day (with only 30 miles of bicyling) turned out to be a very good plan. As expected, Sunday was a hilly day, with several long climbs. After their light day on Saturday, they "zipped up the hills." After about 70 miles of bicycling, they ended their ride at Van Damme State Park, about 4 miles south of Mendocino.

Bob called at mid-day (Pacific Time) today. Bob and Cameron had arrived at Point Arena, CA, about halfway to their destination of Fort Ross, CA. They'd stopped for lunch and a little R&R, and Bob decided to call mid-day because the cell phone reception in the campgrounds has been decidedly poor.

The weather has continued good, with mild crosswinds or tailwinds. When they've been along the shore, the coastal views have been stunning. When their route took them a bit inland, the scenery was brown hills.

So far, Bob has bicycled for a little over 800 miles, more than half of the total distance of 1,300 miles.

Bob and Cameron bicycled about 60 miles to Samuel Taylor State Park, where they camped out for the evening. The park is about 30 miles north of San Francisco.

Today, Bob and Cameron bicycled through San Francisco by way of the Golden Gate Bridge. Turns out that the biggest hazard of the day was the pedestrian and bicycle traffic on the bridge. It's apparently big business to rent bicycles to the tourists so they can bicycle over and back across the bridge, and they were out in force. Adding further interest to the scene was the Korean couple whose wedding photographs were being taken in the middle of the bridge. Bob wasn't sure whether they had been married on the bridge or married on the shore and walked on the bridge for the photos. In any event, not something you see every day on most bridges.

Cameron had expected to meet a friend in San Francisco, but the logistics didn't work out, so he and Bob are in it for the distance. (Cameron is actually headed to San Diego, so he'll do the last part of the trip by himself.) They're enjoying each other's company and Bob is also enjoying the opportunity to draft Cameron.

Tonight, Bob and Cameron have arrived in Half Moon Bay, about 30 miles south of San Francisco. They are spending the night in the Half Moon Bay Inn, the first time they've spent the night indoors since leaving Crescent City last Wednesday.

Bob has bicycled about 950 miles, with about 350 miles to go.
 

Thursday evening finds Bob and Cameron at Sunset Beach State Park, about midway between Santa Cruz and Monterey. While there was a litte fog today, mostly the day was clear and right along the coastline with great views. The terrain was fairly flat, so Bob and Cameron made good time on their journey today. Next onto Monterey and Carmel and into Big Sur.

The morning's bicycle ride took Bob and Cameron through miles and miles of fields of strawberry, artichoke and brussel sprouts, which were being harvested as they bicyled past. They traveled through Monterey and Carmel, with easy going on bike paths through Monterey. And then it was onto Route 1 and the rolling hills of Big Sur, until they arrived at the Pfeiffer Big Sur campground (25 cents for a 5 minute shower of copious hot water). The campground is situated in a grove of "modest-size redwoods".

The rangers in the campground admonished them sternly that there had been a problem with vagrants living in the campground and Bob and Cameron better not be some of those vagrants. (Did the rangers not notice the bicycle clothing and the bicycles?)

It was a 63 mile bicyle ride today. Tomorrow, it's on to San Simeon, where they are hoping to arrive in time to catch a tour.

Bob and Cameron made an early start and arrived at the Hearst Castle, San Simeon, in time for a tour. Bob described the castle as Versailles with a southwest flavor, which makes for an interesting picture. Turns out they were not the only ones at the castle -- there was a Best Buddies charity ride, with 500+ riders participating, some of whom were serious riders. A large peloton overtook Bob and Cameron on their way to San Simeon. Apparently, Maria Shriver was at the castle to greet the ride participants, though Bob didn't see her there.

It was a 65 mile day.