This evening, we find ourselves in Southern California. It took 6 hours driving to get to where it would have taken 6 days by bike. It is disorienting. Travelling by bicycle allows for a more direct, but gradual, experience of changes in landscape, architecture and weather. We were quite relieved to return the car. That obviously says something about our conversion to cycle tourists!

En route, on a chilly and windy Carmel Beach, we were pleased to find Marius’ treasure #3. We did have to explain our strange activity to the men sweeping the steps above!

While we had changed plans because of accomodation challenges, the heavy holiday traffic on the winding, narrow, steeply rolling and shoulderless road around Big Sur made us rather glad not to be cycling!

We are on the traditional territory of the Chumash People. This group, like many others have been able to survive economically and culturally through resources from casinos.