March 7, Friday: Salty feet and a hair-raising ride

After taking off our shoes and carrying our bikes down to the water at "dog beach", we dipped our rear wheels in the Pacific Ocean and began our adventure.  Note that a dog actually came over to appear in our picture.  I am ninth from the right.  The hair raising part was the ride out of San Diego on some highly trafficked roads.  At one point we were on the shoulder of a divided highway, four lanes in each direction.  Welcome to California!  Outside the city was a good ride, got in some climbing.  Encouraging sign posted by a woman who did this tour a couple years ago.  Now at a lovely lodge in Alpine with a pool and hot tub.  Weather is sunny and warm.