This was a magical day to end the tour on, starting with the weather. It looks like we are wrapping things up at exactly the right time, because a major rainstorm is on its way for the region. It's an unusual enough event down here that the morning news gave out reminders of how to react to it - watch out for slick roads, be on the watch for flooding, and so on. Today is the transition day - the front of the front is moving in, with the likelihood of intermittent rain forecast throughout the day.
Since we had a fairly short and easy day in store, our plan was to hang around in the morning for a reasonable break before departing, and then just watch for spots to stop along the way if it got too wet. In the end though, we were lucky for the entire ride - for much of it we were riding in sixty degree temperatures under blue skies. There were plenty of dark patches around, and it was clear that it was raining hard in spots just offshore and inland, but it never crossed our path somehow.
We were happy to stay dry of course, but more importantly the unexpectedly good weather allowed us to enjoy this stretch of coast to the fullest. For whatever reason, we didn't really know what was in store for us today and came to it without expectations. As anyone who has been here must know though, it is a stunning expanse of coastline. The entire stretch from Oceanside south is beautiful, but the miles from Torrey Pines to La Jolla are really incomparable.
After stopping constantly all day long to look at one wonderful scene after another we finally pulled in at our motel on Shelter Island about 3 o'clock and we're pleased to find our suitcases there waiting for us. Repacking the bikes will have to wait for morning though - the plan for the evening is to walk over to Pomodoro, a nearby Italian restaurant, for a delicious last meal and a chance to relax and reflect on the past two weeks.
We were really lucky with the weather today. It was quite rainy in spots all along the coast and inland, but somehow we avoided it.
Looking south to the Encina power station at Carlsbad, a landmark visible for miles along the coast north of San Diego. The next time we pass this way it likely will be gone - there are plans to replace it with a smaller, more efficient power station.
Lunch with a celebratory IPA, La Jolla. Pretty dark photo - I didn't think to use the flash - but I wanted to include that hint of a rainbow out there over the sea.
