Thursday, May 19, 2011

California's Central Coast "Sideways" Wine Country is biking bounty.

We arrived at the home of Mac and Nancy McCandless in Arroyo Grande, CA on May 17 and were welcomed like royalty. Mac helped map out our ride up to Lopez Lake and Hi Mountain Road. We set out the next morning prepared for the unseasonable rain, predictable sun and afternoon wind. Our preparations were rewarded.
The Lairds and McCandlesses are long time friends, going back to Buck and Mac's U.S.Navy days aboard the USS Benjamin Stoddert (DDG 22).


Some might think of Lopez Lake as a miniature Tahoe, we found it very accessible, well run, and picturesque. Then we made a 5 mile out and back ride through the vineyards and estates nestled comfortably along the upper slopes. On the way back to Mac and Nancy's we took farm roads through the lower crop lands into the lovely village.  California has endless unique and beautiful places for a bike ride. Our ride gave us the perfect balance of beautiful scenery and gracious folks who are accomplished stewards of their abundant resources.

 Mi casa es su casa. OK, a bad case of California dreaming.

Today we drove to Boulder City, NV and found a great RV park at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Tomorrow we'll give the River Mountains Loop Trail a go, then check out the Hoover Dam

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