Day 19, Paso Robles, CA to Santa Maria, CA.  82 miles and 2850 feet of climbing.  Another wonderful day in paradise.  Weather was just right with a 20 mph tail wind from the mid point on.  As we left Paso Robles we had to climb out of the valley.  Nothing gets a day going like climbing right out of the gate.  Passed lots of vineyards.  Paso Robles seems to be an expanding vineyard and winery area.  It is apparent that there are many new vineyards being established.  I read in the local paper that they recently enacted a ban on the planting of any new grape vines.  Apparently the water table in the area is seriously low and they cannot afford to irrigate the vines that they have.  The lack of water is a huge concern in California as the agriculture industry is dependent upon irrigation to keep its fields in production 12 months a year.  Yesterday I posted a pic of me in front of Lake Nacimiento.  That body of water is a reservoir and is currently 50 feet below its designed level.  The "water wars" may not be far off.  I am glad that we have Jared on our side.  Keep stashing that stuff away for a dry day JT!  As we climbed away from Paso Robles we descended at a very rapid pace and soon found ourselve on the shores of the Pacific near Morro Bay.  It was good to see the beach again.  From there we went inland again and climbed thru some coastal mountains only to be routed back again to the ocean at Pismo Beach where the SAG was waiting with water and nourishment.  We again ventured inland, this time thru agricultural land.  Again I am simply overwhelmed at the size of their operations!  Our last 20 miles were thru a dust storm.  Visibility was down to a half mile and everything was shrouded in a brown blowing fog.  I will be bringing home a bit of California in my lungs!

I have an update of my former roommate Jim.  Apparently he has become an avid reader of this blog.  He tracked me down first thing this a.m. to tell me that I was mistaken when I indicated that he had agreed to take a cut in pay just to have his own room.  The truth of the matter (according to Jim) is that they were paying him extra to room with me and that if we did not share a room he would revert back down to his normal salary.  You know I really like Jim, he is a good guy and an excellent bike mechanic, but I am just not sure what to make of all of this!!  Why would anyone have to be paid to share a room with me?  Oh well, whatever.......I get to ride my bike everyday!!!

 

Leaving Paso Robles.  Newly planted vineyards.

 

When I first saw these trees I thought they were minarets around a mosque and I thought I was back in Istanbul.

 

Climbing over the mountains leaving Paso Robles.

 

If you look closely you can see the road heading from left to right thru the mountain and heading to the sea.  It was another magical ride.

 

Rock in Morrow Bay.

 

 

Ray, Ross and Shorty.  They joined the ride in San Francisco.  Shorty is my new roommate.  Can you figure out which one is him?  I swear his bike is smaller than Elizabeth's!!

 

Cynthia, Cuv and Melanie.  Cynthia and Cuv met 7 years ago on a cross country ride and they have been riding together ever since.

 

This bakery (and coffee shop) had so many excellent looking pastries that I could not make up my mind.  I was finally forced into a decision by the complaints of some customers waiting in line behind me. 

 

Closeup pic of rock in Morro Bay.

 

Pic of sea lion.  There were two of them by a dock in Morro Bay.  I spent a long time watching them.  First time I had seen them up close and personal.

 

Another awesome road.  In mid of pic you can see the road heading to the right.  What a ride!!