Day 16: It's getting a little zooy.

We started the day in a quiet bakery/cafe with a delicious Danish pastry. Bryan left, taking the very scenic route that I followed later, complete with a golf course, a vacation ranch, and huge trees hanging with moss. There was no shoulder but there was no traffic either.

That didn't last for long! Once he was on the 101, Bryan joined the hordes of vehicles. He said that he didn't enjoy that ride so much, especially getting into Santa Barbara 78 km later. At one point, the shoulder totally disappeared in a construction zone. There was nowhere for him to go but into the vehicle lane. Why do highways in California have a bike lane and then suddenly have a sign posted saying that cyclists are not allowed, especially when there is no other road to exit? We are again grateful for cellphones to supply a change in route and to locate each other once he arrives. I am also very thankful for the navigation system on the Escape. What did we do before they existed?

We met at Stearn's Wharf just after lunch, the sun shining brightly on all the cruise ship tourists, cyclists, and walkers. Apparently, Santa Barbara is the birthplace of beach volleyball too. What a great way to spend the first day of spring. Fishermen were also loading and unloading their boats while sailboats bobbed in the marina. A cruise ship was anchored in the bay, with ship-to-shore boats delivering visitors. Bryan and I walked the beach, then decided to head to the zoo.

The long walk to the zoo paid off. We got a good stretch and enjoyed observing the animals there. It is a well laid out park with lots of green spaces for family and an obvious educational program. To return to the marina parking lot, we hopped on a shuttle bus. The driver entertained us with trivia and his thoughts on a variety of topics, non-stop.

At last, hungry and a bit tired, we walked to the wharf again for a supper of fresh seafood, prepared right in front of us. There was a tank of live, huge crab that were up to 7 pounds.
Then, fed and satisfied, we braved the gridlock on the freeway out of town, headed for Ventura. The owner of the motel is a unique woman with a generous sense of humour. Like everyone else we talk to, she is interested in our adventure and wished us well as so many others have done. Bryan thinks that he has found a route from here to somewhere near LA that will be bike friendly. Here's hoping!