Day 13: Pacific Coast Highway, Visalia to Goleta

I like to ride when it's cool
When jackets and leather are the rule.
So, today was the best, I must say,
Riding the Pacific Coast Highway.



240 miles of rolling hills and mountains on one side of us, and open ocean on the other.  And, friends in front of you and behind you.  Wonderfully cool temperatures.  So cool, that this morning it was drizzling.  Many of us donned the rain gear (with warm weather gear beneath it).  But, we were shortly out of the wet, and into the crisp, clear cool ocean air.  It was around 60 degrees most of the ride today. Just beautiful scenery.  California Rt 1, aka The Pacific Coast Highway, is a beautiful ride.  Not much but great scenery...not much commercialization, homes, traffic...to the point where it becomes an issue when nature calls.  No biggee for the the men, but the women were kind of demanding a rest area soon.  We finally found a small cafe, which was enjoyed by all.  Here I am, sitting waiting for the women to finish tending to business.

The scenery was phenomenal.  Here are some of the pics I took.

It was quite cool and damp.  We rode through those clouds in the distance.  The ocean was very blue and bright where the sun was out.

Same place as the previous picture, looking the other way (south).

Curt

Another view, with the surrounding wild flowers, which were everywhere

Darlene and Brian (and Ron in the background) doing what we were all doing:  trying to figure out what to wear in this peculiar weather.

Taking a break at one of the thousand vista points along the PCH

Along the way, we found some Roadkill ala Scarpaci.  

Road construction had us stopped a few times.  Just another excuse to party.

Have you ever had slugs in your garden or lawn?  This is what happens to them if they make it to the ocean.  They become Sea Slugs.  The locals call them Elephant Seals.

More sea slugs

Stopped for lunch in Cambria.  I recommend this place.  Great food and fast service.

Getting ready to leave after lunch