Happy Birthday Leta

Cafe Primavera at Allied Arts in Menlo Park, CA. Today is Leta's 87th birthday.

L-R: Leta, Caroline (Leta's younger sister), Bobbie Castle (Leta's niece), Aurora Belarmino (standing), Marylou Hack Mongan (seated), me (standing), Carolyn (Leta's daughter, Dick's sister).

WISDOM from Caroline: How to have a happy marriage
-Don't try to change people.
-Don't criticize.
-Don't complain.
-Don't get offended.

Early early this morning, Dick flew from San Jose to Tucson. He then took a bus to Guaymas.

Another bike ride

Warming up:

Dick and Steve ride off in the afternoon:

Meanwhile I went to visit with Corrine, Steve's wife. Later we all went to dinner at Castillo's with Daniel (Steve & Corrine's son) and Dan, Lydia, and Paul Belarmino. (Why did I not take a picture?)

Lunch in San Francisco

Greg and Nicole Skaug:

A little bike ride

We beat a hasty retreat when we ventured down the road on the right. It was a freeway onramp, we've done that before with harrowing results. We made a u-turn and took the pedestrian crossing over US 101.

After biking through a few errands, we cruised Baylands Recreation Area. Due to lots of goose traffic, you must watch where you step!

Dick is getting ready to return to Mexico and our boat!

Family Potluck in Palo Alto

Mark and Carolyn hosted a Welcome Home family get-together. L-R: Kevin, Julie and Tom (the Geologist) Skaug.

Dan and Lydia Belarmino:

Dick with Richard Jullig:

Aurora Belarmino and Eric

L-R: Belarminos = Steve, Dan, and Aurora

Two guests with leg braces and/or crutches:

Dick explains one of his economics theories to Greg:

Greg and Nicole Skaug:

September birthday party

at Thais and Lenin's house. Lenin barbecued pork ribs while Justin "rotisserated" a ham.

Mom really enjoyed this outing.

Sophia is cute as ever.

While we were visiting and eating too much, Dick was rock-climbing with Mike. That is to say, Dick was holding the rope at the bottom of the precipice and Mike did the climbing.

Dick rides again, meanwhile . . .

Dick left this morning to ride his bike to Davis, about 45 miles. He's going to visit his son, Mike, and his wife, Nicole.

Meanwhile, Justin got ready to do some paving at his house along with co-workers and friends, Jose,

and Ronnie. Please note Ronnie's "rock star smile."

Dixon HS Waterpolo

Tonight, Dixon played a pre-season game at River City High School in West Sacramento.

#19 is Kevin Skaug.

Dick and his brother, Tom (the Geologist) watch from the sidelines.

To Sacramento California

F 18 Sept: We had a 4 hour lay-over in Chicago. The kids are behaving quite well. Sleeping the first night on the train was . . . ok, not too bad. I celebrated a quiet 62nd birthday.

Sa 19 Sept: One family with 3 children got off the train in Salt Lake City. There aren't so many people on the train for this leg, so we got to spread out a bit tonight and attempt sleeping each of us on a double seat with foot rests up. It did not work well, you still have to sleep in an L position.

M 20 Sept: The remaining 5 children have become friends. I hear the Latino children teaching Spanish to two others. "Uno, dos, tres, cuatro . . . diez." "Mira! Un caballo." We arrived in Sacramento at 2 pm to warmer temperatures than we've experienced all summer. We had a celebration lunch at River City Brewing Company.

After Justin got off work, he picked us up and it was back to East Nicolaus.

Now it's time to shift gears and begin the regrouping process.

To Boston Massachusetts

Thursday, 16 September: Our train left Portland ME around noon.

It was a commuter train so we were able to roll our bikes and the Bob trailer.

Boston:

A short ride, maybe 2 miles, through the busy downtown streets to get from the North Station to the South Station. Riding in these conditions is always a bit harrowing. Navigating with Google bicycle directions, lots of traffic and people, unfamiliar streets. While commuters headed home in droves

Dick broke down the bicycles and boxed them. The Bob trailer was packed with all the things we wouldn't need for the next 4 days and wrapped in many layers of shrink wrap. We were able to leave 3 pieces of checked baggage at the station until tomorrow's train.

We took public transportation (the Orange Line) to the home of our Warmshowers host, Brad. We felt so lucky to be able to make this connection and not have to get a hotel for the night.

Friday 17 September: We slept on the hardwood floor in the room of one of Brad's roommate's. We slept surprisingly well, although this picture may not show that.



Our train left Boston at noon. Sitting behind us were three families with a total of 8 children and we left with hope in our hearts that the next four days on the train would be pleasant.

To Portland, Maine - The End!

We did it! This bicycle tour is now complete. Today we arrived in Portland, Maine. This picture was taken in front of the Portland Head Light on Cape Elizabeth by our Warmshowers host, Steve.


Spring Point Light:

Old Portland from across the water:

Bug Light:
An impromptu stop at a unique bicycle shop:

Imported bicycles that are different than those found in most biycle shops. This one can carry packages or children in the front cargo box.

A delivery bicycle:

A big thank-you to our Warmshowers hosts: Christine, Steve, and Nancy. Dinner was fantastic! We loved the tour of Portland. Christine, enjoy your year in Paris which begins soon.

Miles completed = 4338. The End. Tomorrow we begin the journey back to California.

To Naples, Maine

It was somewhat warmer, no rain, but a jacket was still needed.
Moose Pond:

Tonight may be our final night of camping. We're at Four Season Campground near Naples, Maine. Our campsite has a path to the beach which looks out at Long Lake.

Miles completed = 4303