9/18: the blue Pacific

68mi and 5200ft of climbing. A new record -- a vertical mile of ascent. We are now 72mi from San Fran. I think there's some debate over whether we should just show up Thur afternoon. We'll see. 

Today was without question the most spectacular scenery of the trip. We were originally planning to go 50mi and stay at a casually marked campsite. When we got there, it was closed and CalTrans workers were constructing stuff. It'd been shut for 5 years. So we had to press on to make another campsite. A CalTrans worker told is about a stealth camping location a mile ahead. I wish I had pictures, because that location was ridiculous. It was probably a grass 50 degree slope into the ocean. Each of us laughed as we rode by it. The spot was in the middle of a steep climb. As I climbed, I saw the ocean stretch out before me. It really was something else. 

Cliff to the left and cliff to the right, with the ocean lining the road:

It looked like this for miles and miles:

I got to the peak and practically leapt off the  bike. 

It was a sense of accomplishment to make that climb to see this. We were dead tired, but the view energized us. 

After our photo op break, we kept climbing. Then there were some incredible descents. Sometimes, you're headed downhill with the Pacific Ocean as a wall headed toward you. Another time, you could see miles of winding road snaking down the hills before you. I'm not nearly romantic enough to think the visual experience we got is unique to biking, but it was certainly thrilling. Better than any roller coaster. 

Eventually, we showed up to a camp and settled in. There was obviously no swimming:

Overnight, Gabe got raided by raccoons again. Those rascals love the taste of paper. 

I'm going to post more misc pics separately.