5 - 15 July - Life without cycling

We spent a few days in San Francisco sorting out the logistics of sending our bikes and panniers back to the UK. Had we been able to see into the future we may have chosen not to send the bikes back with FedEx. We had an enjoyable and slightly hilarious walk through San Francisco carrying two enormous bike boxes from the bike shop back to our hotel. The best way of carrying the boxes was for Stephen to hold the front of the boxes while Mette was holding the back of the boxes. We looked like a small train making our way along the sidewalks. We attracted some quizzical looks and some interesting comments, including "good team work!" from a hip hop guy with a golden grin (literally).

After sending the bikes back we hired a car (a PT Cruiser renamed a PT Crapster because it was a heap of junk with the turning circle of a bus and awful to drive). In spite of the awfulness of the car it was great to be mobile again and at speeds greater than 15 mph. We headed south along route 1 to Monterey, down the Big Sur. We stopped at Monterey and Caramel-by Sea, both tourist honey pots, particularly Carmel. We spent a day at the fabulous Monterey Aquarium watching sharks, tuna, jelly fish, schools of anchovies swimming around and around and around and around...

Jellyfish drifting down at Monterey Aquarium

Next stop was the amazing, incredibly lavish and unbelievable Hearst Castle, the home of William Randolph Hearst, the publish magnate of the 30s and 40s. Hearst Castle contains the collection of antiques, art and other collectibles that Hearst acquired over the years. It is a random mix of beautiful objects from all over the world across the centuries. It was a truly American experience.

Opulent outdoor swimming pool at Hearst Castle

As an antidote to Hearst we made our way to Yosemite, probably the most awe inspiring place we have visited in the US. We spent our time hiking and attending ranger walks and lectures. We learnt a lot about the flora. We got to see more bears up close, including one that climbed an apple tree in the car park, made itself comfortable on a branch and proceeded to strip the tree of apples. It was oblivious to the hordes of people that gathered under the tree.

View of El Capitan in the foreground and the Half Dome in the background to the right

Half Dome and El Capitan were just amazing and our running trips along the valley floor are probably the most scenic runs we will ever do.