Blythe, California to Wickenburg, Arizona

Leaving the California/Arizona border which is the Colorado River. Cacti in different shapes.

What a day! We got a nice early start out of Blythe only to find out that the scheduled breakfast location, Quartzite, was out of power. I rode another 20 miles up Interstate 10 only to find out they were out of power as well. It was time to call the rescue squad. Libby had stayed in Blythe to get her morning exercise at Curves and then pack up our stuff with plans to meet me about noon. However when I discovered there was no food to be had along the road I asked her to bring me some breakfast at a rest stop 40 miles from Blythe. Fortunately I had many energy bars and plenty to drink or I would never have been able to make it 40 miles.

Having stopped in Quartzite for the breakfast I didn't get; I meet a motorcycle rider who suggested not going to Wickenburg via Hwy 60 because of about 45 miles of fresh "Chip Seal" on the road. He said it was like having bullets fired at you when cars and trucked meet or passed you. Because of his suggestion I stayed on Interstate 10 straight east for 83 miles. This would have really been a nice ride except I had to ride against a fairly stiff breeze most of the way. There were many clouds that blocked the sun however, so it stayed cooler that 100 until 2:30 PM when I completed my ride. The route on I-10 once into Arizona was much more scenic than yesterday in California.

After having a large recovery meal we headed towards Phoenix and then turned north before getting to Phoenix so we could spend the evening in Wickenburg where we will launch tomorrow morning.

Miles Traveled = 83

Total Miles = 430

Trivia = Rode over 41 spots along the Interstate where cars/motorhomes had burned and melted the asphalt

Indio to Blythe California

General Patton's Museum



Memorial Park in Blythe


Tuesday, September 9, 2008 was a very hot day. As I started my ride outside of Indio on Interstate 10 at 6:45 AM it was already 91 degrees. After riding about 4 hours, I needed Libby to come back and rescue me. I was out of water, and if you have ever made this trip you know there is nothing between Indio and Blythe. After getting more water I finished my ride about 1:30 and it was 102.

Originally, I had planned to ride south to Brawley on Hwy 111 past the Salton Sea then up north to Blythe on Hwy 78; but after visiting with a local sheriff I learned that it was okay to use the freeway. The shoulders were extra wide and very well maintained so other than VERY hot it was a smooth ride.



Miles traveled = 75
Total miles 347
Trivia = Bungee Cords along the road-72-- 24 of which were unbroken. No, I didn't stop to pick them up for recycling!!
Blown truck tires = too numerous to count!!

Into the Desert

Monday Morning: It is the beginning of a new day and a new week. We spent the night at a PEO bed and breakfast, which was great. The Mudges were wonderful hosts and displayed the true spirit of Christian kindness and PEO sisterhood.

I transported Leroy to his starting spot about 6:45 a.m. after a hearty breakfast of steel cut oats with raisins (Leroy's favorite). The day is glorious, but quickly warming up. I drove to the near est town and in the process of searching for a bicycle shop, promptly got lost in Beaumont, California. We discovered last night that the valve stem and a small portion of my front bike tire which was on the rack on the back of the car, melted as a result of being to close to the car exhaust, hence a flat tire. Just have to get the tire repaired and store it in the car in the future.

Found my way out of Beaumont and also found Leroy was right on course; we traveled on secondary roads playing hopscotch with the car and bicycle. Saw an awesome wind farm along the way as well as a dinosaur park. After two very brief rides on Interstate 10, Leroy got onto highway 111, which meanders through Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells and ended in Indio. The day began with a temperature of 61 degrees and ended about 2 p.m. at 104 degrees of heat. The air-conditioned condo was a dream place to spend the afternoon and evening.

Miles pedaled 9/08/08 = 78
Total miles = 272
Aluminum cans on San Timoteo Canyon Road = 431
Total pictures taken = 5 -- couldn't get them to download on this public computer.

Get Your Kicks on Route 66

Spent most of the 72 mile ride on Sunday, September 7 pedaling on the old Route 66 from Pasadena to Redlands. Warmed up considerably by late afternoon. Experienced many different road textures from ultra smooth to "original" Route 66 pavement dating back to 1949. Time to put this computer to sleep and myself too. Pedaled past this landmark Teepee Motel that has existed also since 1949.

And We Are OFF

Beginning at Luke's home with Leroy's brother, Don and Luke. Luke had many of his friends join us for the first twenty miles of the trip to Santa Monica/Los Angeles area.

Just a bit of pre-ride jitters! Dipping the wheel in the Pacific Ocean at the Seawall in Santa Barbara, California.

We are ready for take off on September 6 at 7 a.m. PST.

We experienced beautiful weather and scenery along they way. Our day ended at our motel in Los Angeles for a total of 122 miles for the three of us. A great start for a cross country odyssey.

Still smiling at the end of the day!

Why Start in Santa Barbara?

Two pictures are worth two thousand words, but we won't bore you with that many words about our wonderful grandson, Oliver Max Werkhoven.

Oliver is such a good baby because he has such wonderful parents. He is currently six months old and a joy in spite of being all boy!

Leaving Sunnyside

Here we are ready to leave Sunnyside on Tuesday, September 2. Leroy's brother Ed and his wife Mary came over to wish us well and took this parting shot.

We travelled to Klamath Falls, Oregon where we spent the night. Wednesday we went on to Sacramento and spent the evening and overnight with Leroy's brother Don and his wife Joan.

Thursday we made it to Santa Barbara in time to take care of grandson, Oliver, while his parents finished their workday at Eye n Vision. Had a great time getting to know our grandson, Oliver Max, as we haven't seen him since April. Of course, it was nice to see Luke and Tiffany too!!!