April 14 -- I take it all back

It's not so bad riding here -- while the rough spots are memorable, they are in the minority -- the worst spot is a 4-5 mile stretch after mile 11 going north from Arlene's. It's so rough though, that it takes a couple of times through it before you realize that it does end ... and you know where it starts and ends so that it does not seem interminable.

The scenery is fascinating -- when riding on the desert something that looks 1.5 - 2 miles away, based on "eastern eyes" can be 20 miles -- at my 32.5 mile turnaround point today (just shy of the military checkpoint) you can see a hill in the distance with an antenna on it -- and you would swear that it is at most 2 miles away ... NOT. I ride back towards that hill and it goes on forever.

There is sparse vegetation everywhere, but it is dry and waiting for the next rain. It must be fascinating after a rainfall to see the desert blooming. The terrain is mostly flat overall, with gradual (over 10 mile) rises and drops that probably only change the elevation 100 feet at most. Mountains are all around. The wind adds spice -- at 9:10 this morning, it noticeably changed direction. At that point the wind became on onshore wind, swinging from a NW wind at 3-4 mph to SE at 6-10 mph. Today, though, I expected it -- and had gotten out just after 6am so that it did not affect my ride as much.

So -- riding is good -- I like the dry air which leaves you feeling clean even if dusty -- vs city driving with the man-made dirt. The major drawback to riding here is the lack of shoulders on the road. Correction, there is a shoulder, but it is usually 6 inches or more down to very, very soft sand.

The kids are playing outside as usual -- they have many friends here -- kids and dogs have the run of the entire camp. Today is Daniel's birthday so Arlene is planning a party for the local kids at the "ramada" -- a gathering place here in the camp. He will have another birthday tomorrow at home with his Dad -- Ernie did not come this week since he had to work.

Sandy is out for a walk -- she has not been into town yet so I may go in with her.

Arlene plans on leaving early tomorrow to go back to Hemet. Sandy and I will stay another 24 hours and then see her Thursday night in Hemet.

The tide is almost high at this point -- yesterday I mentioned a 15 foot difference between low and high ? -- actually that runs 19 feet at peak. It is really something.

more may happen later ... but that's it for now.