Biking to Malibu

Well, we never made it to Malibu.  After a rough night of inflating the deflating (how ironic is that!) air mattress, we gave up trying to sleep and got up at around 6:30. Alena crawled out of bed closer to 8am.  Think we will just couch surf for our last night here. Chatted with A over some breakfast.  Sent her off to work and then saddled up the bikes for what we thought was going to be a 35 mile round trip ride to Malibu.

The weather is absolutely perfect. Got down to the beach bike path and headed north. About 5 miles up the path just ends.  It was take the Pacific Highway or turn around.  While we were debating about what to do, we got into a conversation with a great guy from the area.  He will be heading up to the Northeast this May. Part of his journey includes Newfoundland. Geoff told him about the Sullivan clan from Pooch Cove - so maybe he will pass through and mention his name. 

We felt it a wiser decision to turn around and head south than to try to bike along Route 1 on the cruisers. Stopped off at the Santa Monica Pier.  Bought a post card for the grandkids, watched the dolphins, and just took in the ambiance. Passed by the Google Maps Man with his traveling camera rig. Headed back down towards Venice and lunched at a beach cafe for some fish tacos.  Continued on through Venice and boom - the bike path ended AGAIN! We took to the streets to try to go further south. Got as far as Marina del Ray but it was kind of a drag.  Ran into the mail lady and got directions to the nearest post office. So we turned around and headed back towards Venice to the PO. Bought stamps, mailed the card, back down to the beach for some relaxing and an afternoon java.


Back at the shack at around 3:30. All tolled our 35mi ride turned into about 18.  But it was leisurely and beautiful. Did I mention that I absolutely LOVE this bike gps. It is great having the street map so handy.  Not sure what's going on for dinner. Talked with Liam this afternoon and he is off tomorrow. We will head up to his house after the morning rush. Spend a couple of nights with them before going to Palm Springs.

Walked down to a Mexican restaurant for dinner. Their specialty is mole sauces. We ordered the sampler with 7 different sauces with some jumbo shrimp for dipping. Had no idea mole sauce came in anything other than chocolate. It turns out that, according to the owner, mole is the process of how the sauce is made. They were all pretty much yummy.  On the way home, we stopped in for some ice cream where our taste buds were in for some more treats.  One scoop rosemary, date with salted pistachio ice cream and one scoop black sesame seeds and soy - wow!


Had a great night's sleep on the new couch formation. Very cozy and more importantly, no inflation necessary! Alena is off to work and we are gathering up to head out to Liam's.  Alena is coming over to Liam's on Saturday so we will see her again over there. She has been a terrific host. We could not have had a better time here. Having use of the bikes was awesome.  


Next time...Toluca Lake