Day 8--Ice Ice baby

Our first day of the second week out brought some healthy reminders of why we call this an adventure. Awoke to morning frost covering everything from sleeping bag (yes, it was INSIDE my tent) to saddle cover. A brisk ride to the disc golf course shocked our bodies into action , and after a breakfast chocodile and a somewhat pitiful but pretty round (the sun came out and the lake was spectacular), the day looked bright. Then reality bug bit again, the first flat tire of the trip. Joe fetched supplies while I began the repair job--reluctantly, but glad it was my front and I had no panniers on. Joe was back in a flash and after a quick camp breakdown we were off, late but with lifted spirits due to endless blue sky. A headwind slowed but did not stop us as we were determined to make the most of not waking to rain. Quick stop at Patagonia to thank Chipper bro for his advice and we were again attacking the pavement. For about three miles. Then the bug bit hard-- a second flat, Joe this time, but the rear and loaded down heavy. Wrestling match ensued and though man won, bike put up a good fight. Now it was more late than early, and we pedaled furiously to gain some ground before inevitably making 'camp by lamp.' And though it probably wouldn't have changed where we camped much, nor how soundly we ultimately slept to the rhythmic ocean at our tent doorstep, the fates had to prove their point. Just outside Pt. Mugu, 8 miles from camp, a missile museum (weird but cool)--another flat. Me again, front again (though with bags this time). Fueled by quickly dropping temp and a bit of vengeful rage, I attacked the tire madly, this time finding the relentless culprit--a hair-thin metal wire the length of an inchworm. Joe had found its twin earlier (the same one? IMPOSSIBLE! Or is it?)... We raced into the now night, down the 1 with headlights zipping by both ways. Finally in the distance-campground, a table, a tent, some peace. As we ate and drank within feet of the sea and took in another starry blanket above, we laughed about the first day of the second week. A reminder, yes, but in the end what we remember is that we are the luckiest. Our work has no stress, our job no boss. The elements determine our dress code, our hunger determines when we eat (constantly), and in the end a few flat tires only reinforce our knowledge that the unexpected things are often the most memorable, and attitude is everything. Have a happy Friday, I know we will. -Brian
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