Both of us stayed up late last night watching a movie we’ve seen-slept late this morning again.  Ate breakfast in area overlooking 7 tennis courts-pictures of Jimmy Conners, Arthur Ashe, & Yvonne Goolagong-tennis players of my era.  Tennis is a huge part of my other life-last yr at this time I was on 5 tennis teams-hope I can still play when I get home.  A golf course is across the street-Armand plays 4 or 5 times a week.  Miss playing bridge too.  Soon the BIKE will be a memory.  Which also brings back more memories of some of the 2002 cross country women at the OR reunion.  TV reminds me of Jane (NY)-my major roommate along w/Georgia.  I didn’t have a tv in my house for over 20 ys-for some reason I wanted to watch it every night.  Jane made the rule-who ever slept alone controlled the remote-every 3rd night I got to watch tv.  We also didn’t understand why the days never got easier.  Jane was 59 (2002) & not really a biker.  She met her husband when she was in the Peace Corp in Africa.  She’s taken trips to India & done other bike trips w/Woman Tours in far away places.  Now she’s taken up tennis & is hosting our next reunion 2015 in Puerta Rico.  Jane rode w/Mary Pat to OR for the reunion.  Mary Pat (FL) got hit by a car on our cross country tour & kept going.  She also got dropped off in Alaska for survival training-to prepare her for base camp at Mt. Everest.  She now plays a lot of golf in FL.  Both amazing women. 

Today we biked along a naval base-migrant workers in strawberry fields-mountains & the ocean-great views-perfect temperature.  Once we hit Malibu-not so much fun because of all the traffic.  Cars are parked along the side of the rd (surfers) & we are very close to the cars.  Stop for some pictures (Tiger & Sugar insisted)-had my 1st walk on the beach (actually took off my bike shoes & leg warmers).  Didn’t stop for donuts & chocolate milk-just wanted to get to motel & out of traffic.  Staying at Ocean Park Inn ($125)-small but very nice-bikes are sleeping outside. Eat Italian food-get big piece of chocolate cake & for 1st time drink coke (2).  Walk to Jean & Lynn’s motel-Jean has biking friends visiting tonight.  It’s 8:30-the tv is on-Armand is already sleeping.  PS-Jane-at home I don’t get the remote until 10:30.

51.5 MILES  12.6 MPH  **KARA & DAWN-1 DAY AT A TIME-BABY STEPS COUNT

Woke up at 8:00-best Motel 6-6 pillows-comfortable beds.  Bike downtown-Y-HOO-Jean & Lynn at coffee shop-already biked 10 miles to get here. 1st 15 m-like nice Sunday ride through park-sun is out-temp in low 50’s.  Pass Polo Club along rd parallel to 1-hit 101 w/lots of traffic.  Then got on side rd next to ocean-biked along 137 (# places) w/huge RV’s in almost every space-some I’m sure cost $300,000.  All you had was a little bit of sand in front of you with water & wind.   Bike paths by beach through Ventura-go on to Oxnard.  Can’t believe the #of boats lines up-nice town.  Stop at Subway-try to get my nails done next door-no luck.  Ready to stop-see cute inn across street-leader says it looks too expensive-LET’S SEE.  Best motel for the price on trip-I love it.  Ask where I can get my nails done-leader says it’s my adventure & I have to go by myself.  I can’t find it, but see another one next to a bike shop.  Can I come back later-NO, I’m on a bike.  Lady waiting asks where we started-one story led to another. Her niece & friend from Ohio were having pedicures–They couldn’t escape.  The owner says he’ll do my nails after I show everyone pictures of Sugar & Tiger.  Leanna is a biker & triathlete-she & her husband want to do an IMan.  Fate sometimes steps in-I made 3 new friends & had a wonderful time.  When I was asked what color I wanted my nails-you pick.  What colors do you like? Pink, Red, Orange-surprise me.  Came back w/purple & blue (matches my bike shirt).  Never in a million yrs would I have picked these colors.  Told me that this is the in style now–YES-it’s very important to have stylish nails when you bike.  Found my way back-ate dinner w/Jean & Lynn.  Getting closer to the end. 

41.5 MILES 11 MPH (40 MPH-CAN’T REMEMBER GOING THIS FAST TODAY) 3 HRS 46 MIN BIKING TIME