David's Puppy


Eating an egg salad croissant in an empty Albertson’s grocery store parking lot, helps put things into perspective. The sandwich slides down a little fast, my stomach does not complain. The sheep skin seat of my bike is littered with plastic. There is the venerable lunch box, an assortment of fruits for later and a gallon jug of water to be transferred. I do not know what goes where with California’s recycling regulations. The litter is placed in a shopping cart. I eat in peace. Having just crossed the mist covered Lucia mountain range, this is a well-deserved break from riding.
You pay a small price for the beauty of the Pacific Ocean coastline. Wireless, internet and texting are poor. Few service workers can afford to live in this expensive area, others must commute. There aren’t any grocery stores. A small bottle of water runs between $2.50 and 3.79. With the exception of the Hearst Ranch, water is polluted with fertilizer run off. Have decided to put on faster miles between me and my origin. Reminder to self, not to cross mountain ranges in the early morning hours. Schedule for midday when the fog lifts and it’s a lot warmer. Traffic is minimal, cars oncoming, people off to work.
The day’s route takes me from winding coast road 1 to the straight shot east on Hwy. 46. The tradeoffs are fertilizer smells for salt air - oil derricks & grape vines for coastline. The derricks are packed so close together, it appears as if they are competing with one another. The road has its claim to fame. I slow down at the marker of James Dean’s memorial. The last place he stopped before a crash ended his life. I drive on.
Los Angeles would not be the same without at least one expressway wrong turn off. I am taken towards Santa Monica but quickly adjust and get turned around. I grew up in this area as a kid. What happened to the place? Too many cars, too many people. Thank goodness it is off peak hours. My foot goes down for a quick stretch only a few times during the ordeal. The carpool lanes help when available. I do not attempt lane splitting when they are not.
With the memory of the egg salad long past, I can avoid Mc Donald’s and opt instead for the rest of the fruit and some carried along nuts. Gas up, check in at home, head out. Later, at another stop, a Del Taco calls to me. I am pleasantly surprised at the pollo asado bowl: seasoned grilled chicken, an avocado slice, salsa, on top of rice and beans. Not bad for this first visit attempt at fast food healthy.
Have managed to keep mistakes to a minimum. Cannot believe that with all of the packing and unpacking, I managed to bring the wrong camera battery charger. A short ride from the Motel 6, comes Walmart to the rescue. Not only do they have a similar model of camera, but it is on its last discounted price. Do I want it for $25.00? Oh Yeah! An SD card, sandwich, blueberries and a Caesar Salad accompany me to check out.
The bike is holding up well. She burns a little oil when pushed over 5,000 rpm. Better than I am. The tradeoff for the purring straight four cylinders is its ergonomic nightmare. With the DR, I can ride all day in comfort. That bike vibrates, feels like an egg beater but I can stand straight at the end of the day. The Nighthawk purrs as the engine revs, but having the seat professionally reworked, adding a gel seat pag, floor tile pad, sponges and a sheep skin cover do little to help the discomfort. My lower back cramps up as the day progresses. Mindful of posture, back straight, chest out makes no difference. I made it here. I’ll make it back. Will remove the gel pad to lower the seat. See what happens.

Hearst Castle View