Long, Great Day

We were out the door and on the road by 6 AM today in order to get through LA with as little traffic as was possible. It was an easy find to spot the famous Hollywood sign in the hills.

All went great and we hit the end of the road at 7:30. I readily admit that it was a bit emotional, knowing that we were leaving this phenomenal road behind. It indeed has been a great first month.

And we say thank you to this hard working group of guys who took our picture under this sign. They are from Phoenix and have to be back to work on Monday. Thanks guys.

A few shots on the Santa Monica Pier.

After leaving the pier, we drove down to Border Field State Park. This is the southwestern most point in the continental US. We had a mile and a half hike in to get to the southwestern most point, most of it in sand.

Looking at the wall separating Tijuana, Mexico and the US.

We saw this poster as we were walking in and even saw a few people carrying stringed instruments. We had no clue what it was. However...



Taken from their blog I find this...

The Fandango Fronterizo is an annual event in which musicians from both sides of the Tijuana-San Diego border meet to play and share the music of Son Jarocho, peasant music from southern Veracruz. The Fandango is made by the United States side in the Friendship Park and in Tijuana in the Beach Lighthouse, where the border fence between the United States and Mexico reaches the Pacific Ocean. 
The Border Fandango is a symbolic event.We try to show how music can create community, even though these communities are separate. Son jarocho is the perfect music for this because that's what son is about, being together and living with friends.The community of jaraneros is growing both in Mexico and the United States and the Border Fandango reminds us that we are a community despite the barriers that divide us.

What a fun time. There were dozens of musicians all playing the same tune on both sides of the border fence. Various instruments and different ages all in harmony with different people dancing on a wooden box for rhythm while a few sang. It was truly a unique experience.

While we were at the wall, we enjoyed visiting with Border Patrol Agents. This one was kind enough to contribute a couple of patches for our son-in-law.



A view of San Diego off in the distance.

A view of Tijuana on the other side of the fence.

We then walked the mile and a half back to the bike to begin our second leg of this fabulous journey. We are driving as much of the Pacific Coast as we're able. This is a bridge that we drove over. Very tall and long and not fun on a windy day.

Going through the town of Coronado we stopped to admire this historic hotel built in 1888.

We simply drove all of the roads we could to be by the water. We then made our way to historic US 101.

We then made our way to Oceanside, CA and checked into our motel room at 6:30. A 12 1/2 hour day. We are beat but will start bright and early again tomorrow in order to beat the LA traffic.
Till Tomorrow!