Reasons 4446 - 4667

We got a big charge out of Carol, Karl and Ron seeing us off by riding with us part way to our next destination. We also had the privilege of being hosted by some friends of Karl and Carol over the next couple nights. It’s pretty fun and really encouraging to know that people you’ve stayed with enjoyed your visit enough to encourage their friends to host you as well.

From Oceanside we began our journey inland. I’d been telling Collin for a few weeks how I thought it would feel strange to finally start heading East and leave the ocean. This proved to be true. I think for many Canadians it’s easy to think of Hollywood, Disneyland and warm beaches when you think of California. In reality, most of Southern California is actually desert. Soon after leaving Oceanside we passed through all sorts of avocado farms, but then headed into dry, sandy, shrub-covered, rolling hills.

This is Collin, Sal and me. We met Sal at Starbucks in Temecula and had a great chat about the tour. He was really encouraging and offered to pray for us before we left.

Me, Collin, Sherri and Greg.

Christmas everywhere, even the toilet.

We made our way Northeast through Fallbrook and Temecula to Murrieta. We arrived at the home of Greg and Sherri Ferrigno just as it was getting dark. Yes, if you’re wondering, Greg is cousins with the Hulk, Lou Ferrigno. Greg was hospitable enough to make his own meatballs and pasta sauce from scratch. The four of us shared a great dinner as well as quality conversation about the tour and our families. We all talked about how much we love our mutual friends, Karl and Carol. We laughed a lot when Sherri told us that her kids tease her about all her decorations by saying that Christmas puked in her house. Collin and I sincerely got a big charge out of all the decorations everywhere. At the same time, it still seems so strange seeing Christmas decorations without snow on the ground outside. We really enjoyed our brief visit with Greg and Sherri. They are lovely, generous people.

Doug, Francine and me.

Collin and one of Doug and Francine's yappy dogs.

The next day, Collin and I took our time leaving Murrieta because we only had a short, twenty-one mile ride to our next hosts. Doug and Francine live on the outskirts of Hemet and have been friends with Karl and Carol for ages. Francine was really kind and welcoming as soon as we arrived. The four of us shared dinner and chatted about the tour then relaxed by watching the Saturday Night Live Christmas special on TV. That program is one that I typically watch with my family at this time of year. I felt a little bit at home watching it, but definitely miss laughing with my mom and sister.

Our journey from Hemet the following day was around 77 miles. We pedaled up a small mountain range through Lambs Canyon. A local cyclist and retired marine, Jeff is notorious in the Hemet community for cycling up those hills everyday. He rides with a bike trailer full of weights and American/Marine Corps flags waving proudly. Local motorists will honk their horns in encouragement to Jeff. We had the privilege of riding up the canyon alongside Jeff. He and Collin actually had a lengthy conversation and somehow established that Jeff and his wife were actually married in our hometown, Edmonton.

When we got to Beaumont we made a quick stop at a police station to drop off a wallet Collin found on the side of the road. Then we started riding straight East through Banning and Cabazon towards Palm Springs and our final destination of La Quinta. It was a pretty crazy ride. Beaumont is at an elevation around 2600ft, whereas La Quinta is pretty much right at sea level in the heart of an oasis valley. So, we rode tens of miles with the wind at our backs, downhill, using our top gears. It was a pretty great time.

In Palm Springs bike lanes double as golf cart lanes. Hilarious.

Daniel, Sarah, Collin and me.

Sarah filling my water bottles with her fancy water purification machine that even controls ph levels.

Our host for the night was Sarah who we found through Warm Showers. We hung out with her and her boyfriend Daniel and had a great time. The four of us laughed a lot. Sarah is a chill, grounded, raw vegan, kindergarten teacher. And, Daniel is super energetic and can speak non-stop. The two of them had a joke between the two of them about who could please Collin and I the most with their food for dinner. Sarah made us raw vegan tacos with sunflower seed, meat substitute and shells made from dehydrated coconut meat. Daniel ordered Pizza Hut and brought beer. Collin and I were pretty full by the end. We have to say, as much as we love pizza, the tacos were extraordinarily delicious and we would have them again anytime. After dinner we had a fire and then snuck into a local resort’s hot tub and swimming pool. Good times were had by all.

The following day would be nearly overwhelming as we started to climb into the high elevation of Joshua Tree National Park.