Day Three – Cruising the Central Coast
Another beautiful day in sunny Southern California! Lori Trier (aka Chick), a past Amazon Heart Thunder participant dropped in to visit us last night with her husband Conrad and had a chance to catch up with old friends and make some new ones!
We headed out today for a long freeway ride – one hour up the 101. Our group formation was beautiful to see, and one of the support vans took some fantastic photos of us as we burned up the miles.
Our first stop for the day was the famous (or infamous) Madonna Inn. A popular tourist spot, the Madonna is like no other motel or hotel you have ever seen. http://www.madonnainn.com/ . The interior is ornately, and quirky and one of the most famous features is the men’s bathroom, which features a full wall rock waterfall instead of a urinal. We waited until the coast was clear and snuck in for a look, amid much giggling.
Then it was back on the bikes and off to the Utopia Bakery, our usual San Luis Obispo lunch stop. While we were enjoying our sandwiches, a reporter and cameraman from the local television station KSBY and NBC affiliate dropped by and filmed the bikes, the group and a short interview with Megan.
Back on the bikes and it was into some beautiful twisty canyon roads leading us down to Morro Bay and back to the water. The scenery was beautiful, particularly on the last stretch into Cambria.
Our hotel the Best Western Fireside Inn was right on the waterfront with beautiful views and a quiet and peaceful location. The hotel had a special treat for us – a wine and cheese tasting provided by the local Eagle Castle Winery http://www.eaglecastlewinery.com/ - thank you Eagle Castle!. The wines were great, and while we sampled them we found out that the television story on our ride would be on the 11 pm news.
Cambria is always a special night for the group, and we ordered pizza and barbeque to be delivered and walked together down to a park on a small cliff overlooking the water for a dinner picnic. We shared food, stories, much laughter and danced to music under the moonlight. A perfect evening!
The hardier among us retired to the pool and the spa at the hotel afterwards, while others went back to enjoy the beautiful rooms in this hotel and to watch ourselves on tv!
Hey Ladies...How was Cambria (the magicial place!) Hope the moon was out for you! I thought about you ladies all night last night. Wish I was still riding with you...However, yesterday, as I was riding my bike to work...my pipes fell off!! HAHA!! So, I guess it was ment to be!! Anyway, more magic awaits along the way. Big Sur...enjoy each and every moment with it and become one with the road! xoox FLASH
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Andrea - great to see the pictures and description of your fantastic adventure. San Luis Obispo brings back fond memories of our short-lived life in California. Be safe - I am looking forward to all the great stories. Thank you for riding for Michelle. We love you. Gayela
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Andrea - It sounds and looks like you are having a blast. Watching you guys on this trip is awesome. I wish I was there! I head in for CT, MRI and bone scans tomorrow to see how the cancer is doing. Your trip is going to be my "happy place" to mentally travel to during my time in the machines. May God bless you and keep you for the rest of the trip! Hugs from Texas, Michelle
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Hi Karen! (miss you brat) Hi Girls!
Enjoy that sunshine in beautiful California. It was 41 degrees here in Pennsylvania this morning. Yikes! Sounds like you are all having a great time! Good for you.
Be Safe. My love to each and every one of you.
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