Left at 7:00-because of heat & climbs.  Almost had another heart attack leaving town on a bike path.  Glad to get back on 1 for rest of day.  Beautiful day-fantastic views of ocean-glad I’m not afraid of heights-sometimes little or no bike lane.  See sign-78 miles of curvy rds–true warning for what’s in store.  Stopped at BIG SUR-ch mk & donut.  Start another long steep climb-that went on all day-slight wind at our back.  Lunch in Lucia-only 1 store-everything is very expensive-don’t care-sandwich & $4 lemonade.  U-yoo-Jean & Lynn arrive.  We go ahead for last 14 miles to only (expensive) motel in Gorda ($140 each to share 2 bedroom w/connecting bath.  Walked bikes up steep hill to room-goat outside room.  Dinner at restaurant (only place to eat)-$55 for cheapest meal & water.  Look out at beautiful sunrise.  Jean & Lynn bring bikes into room-we leave ours outside-not worried about goat.  Lynn says we have visitors-look outside.  2 raccoons are standing up & looking at Armand’s bike–they’re tall enough to be seat high.  Later they have their little paws almost touching mine.  Turn on light-Armand yells-doesn’t bother them in the least.  Now some cats start crying.  Today was a tough day with the most climbing-5,400 ft.  New gears are worth every penny.  Hard to sleep-light shines right in our window.

Fantastic breakfast (best so far)-waffles-fire place on.  Left at 10:00-route went up steep hill-tried to go along coast-dead end-biked up the heart attack hill.  Walk part way-leader never walks.  Hwy 1-lots of traffic-take Pacific Coast route instead of Adventure Cycling.  Pass field after field of migrant workers picking strawberries-impossible task.  Plastic covering fields-see machine laying it down.  Wind in face-slow biking.  Pass under bridge-look up & see Jean biking OVER bridge-U-hoo as Lynn goes by.  Armand wants to go back-I want to push bike up hill.  Tells me it’s my adventure-walk up & tell him it’s not easy but possible. Back on 1-lots of traffic-good bike lane.  Stop for smoothie-get on bike route through several towns-good job CA.  Back to sand & water-take picture of Sugar & Tiger.  Finally get to Monterey-stop at McD-don’t eat-just sit.  This has been the hottest day so far-low 80’s w/head wind-tired.  Jean & Lynn at motel 6-we’re at Morning Starr Inn ($140)-worth ($70???)-very expensive here.  Internet doesn’t work.  Eat Vietnamese for dinner-good food & good service.  Need to wake up early tomorrow-long climb at BIG SUR.