Send Off From La Cumbre Junior High School

La Cumbre Junior School - Santa Barbara, California

Tuesday February 1st
Today was the day. 
This is the day I would start a journey that I would never forget.  I knew that I would be experiencing things that I have often dreamed of forso long.  My dreams would soon be coming true.
I was so ready for this.  I was ready to meet all of the amazing people that I knew that I would meet along the way, the beautiful landscapes and scenery that I would take in and the touching moments that would fill my heart over the brim.
I woke up early to try to skype to Cougar Pride back home, but technology was not cooperating.
Meanwhile they were getting yet another snowstorm back in Snowbury.
I got to spend time with dedicated professionals that morning from both CAHPERED and the Santa Barbara School District. Amazing people that I feel so honored to have met.
At about 11:00, I had the honor to speak with over 100 Junior High students and then exercise with them.  We did a tribute to one of my role models, Jack LaLanne.  We all did 51 Jumping Jacks in his honor.  His memorial service was that day down in Southern California.
I then ran a lap with the students and then I cycled once around the track.
Thanks for all of the high fives La Cumbre Junior High.  You are an awesome school and I look forward to someday coming back to visit.
It was an unbelievable send off.
Love to you all!!!

Santa Barbara Bike Trail

Santa Barbara Harbor

Waking up in Santa Barbara

Beautiful Santa Barbara, California

Monday January 31, 2011
What a beautiful place to wake up to.
I have been here quite a few times now.
Some people have asked why I choose to start here and I simply say, because it is one of the most beautiful places on earth.
After breakfast, I put my bike together and loaded my trailer.
Today I was going to have lunch with Barbara Keynai, Coordinator of Administrative Services and Communications for the Santa Barbara School System and then I would travel up to the middle school that I would take off from the following day:  La Cumbre Junior High School, Home of the Lancers.
I received a beautiful tour from their principal, Ms. Jo Ann Caines.
Later on that evening I was walking around the downtown of Santa Barbara and came upon some glitz and glamour at the Santa Barbara Film Festival.  There was a tribute that night for Geoffrey Rush and a gentleman handed me a ticket to attend the event.  I went in and enjoyed the theater and the tribute.
Time now to go to bed.
I would be walking the next morning and officially starting my "Let's Get Moving America"  Journey and my mission to 'Make America Fit, One Person At A Time."
It would finally be happening!

Barbara and Coach Cate

La Cumbre Junior High - Santa Barbara, CA

Physical Education Class - La Cumbre Junior High

Back on the Train to Santa Barbara - My Starting Point

Coastliner to Santa Barbara

Sunday January 30, 2011

I was back at Jack London Square, to take my last train for awhile.
I was going to be on the Coastliner for this journey.  I had been on this route many years ago.
I was looking forward to going through farmland, coastal mountains and seeing some very amazing ocean views.
Arriving in Santa Barbara put into the reality, that I was almost finally on my way.
I arrived later than anticipated due to delays, because of track repair.
It was a beautiful night when I arrived.
Luckily the youth hostel that I was staying at was right across the tracks.
I went in and was shown my bed.
Tomorrow I already knew was going to be filled with putting my bike together, meeting with the school I would take off from, oh and yes a bike ride near the ocean.  I couldn't wait!!!

Santa Barbara Tourist Hostel - Right across the tracks from Train Station

Dorm Room - Youth Hostel

Front room - Santa Barbara Youth Hostel

Hiking in the hills and the streets of Berkeley

Hiking among the Redwoods

Saturday January 29, 2011

Today I got up, had some breakfast and heading up to the hills to do some hiking with Bob among the Redwoods.
When we arrived the parking lot was full.  There were people and dogs all around.  There were also a very large amount of cyclists who had made it to the top of the road and would soon be enjoying a long ride down.
It was nice to be hiking in this forest;  so abundant with Redwoods and eucalyptus trees.
After our hike, we went to see if Lyn was still playing her doubles match at their club.
We then had an amazing bittersweet hot chocolate at a place called Bittersweet.  I love chocolate and this was so good!
After that tasty treat, I went for a walk around the campus of UC Berkeley.  It is such a nice area and campus. 
My first time ever in Berkeley was when I was in the Oregon State Marching Band and we were down to play at both the OSU vs Berkeley and also be the halftime band at the Oakland Raiders.  It brought back fond memories of my college days at OSU.  Go Beavers!!!

Bob and Coach Cate

Great place to hike!!!

Coach Cate Hiking

Tennis in the Bay Area

Oakland Tour with Bob and Lyn

Jack London Square - Oakland, California

Friday January 28, 2011
I arrived at Jack London Square in Oakland a little after 4:00pm.  I would be staying with Bob and Lyn for the next couple of days in Oakland.
Bob picked me up from the train station and immediately gave me a tour of Oakland.
We then proceeded to his house;  where we were immediately greeted by Nina, their cat.
Then Bob showed me my room and my bed for the next couple of nights.
I was very excited about seeing the bed, after sleeping in some not so usual sleeping positions.
Lyn came home and we reunited, talked and got ready to go out for dinner.
We went to an Italian restaurant near Lake Merritt.  Lake Merritt has lights that go all around it.  It reminds me of Europe.  The company and the food were both awesome.  It was nice to have a gourmet meal.  I ate healthy on the train with the food that I brought;  it was just a limited variety for the past four days.
We talked during our meal and after we got back.
It was then time for me to get into that comfortable bed for the night.

Friday - My last day on the California Zephyr

Sunrise on the train in Utah

Friday January 28, 2011.
I woke up to another awesome sunrise.  This time in Utah.  There was very little snow traveling through the lower elevations.  What little they had though, added a special touch to the everchanging landscape.
Early this morning, we would be heading to our next great mountain pass;  the Sierra Nevadas.  I was looking forward to this part of the trip, because I knew that they had received an enormous amount of snow this winter.
I had been through both the Rocky Mountain and Sierra Nevada passes before by car.  What to keep in mind about traveling by train, is that there are times when you will get a totally different view on the route the train goes.  This would definitely happen quite a bit on this day of train travel.
I knew that we were getting close to heading up the mountain, by the increasing amount of snow on the ground. There was a great difference in terms of feet of snow, between the lower elevations and what was up on top.
We saw glacier lakes that were so beautiful.  We also saw a few ski areas that really made me smile.  It reminded me of my planned ski excursion when I get to Taos, New Mexico.
In the observation car, history about the area that we were passing through was broadcast by one of the local historical societies.  We were also lucky enough to have two local passengers in the car, who gave us added information about the places we were seeing.
We did go over Donner pass.  This is were many people perished because the group wrongly timed going over Immigration Pass.  The snows came and they were stranded.  Many did not realize their dreams of reaching the fertile valley on the other side of the mountain.
We went through many tunnels and underneath quite a few snow sheds.  We also did a 180 degree turn to get up to the highest elevation on the pass.
We soon reached the Golden State - California.   Many of the first parts that we reached, were heavily mined areas for gold.  There is still gold is those hills.  Probably not as much as before.
I have to tell you that I thought that there would be more snow.  I did learn that the snowfall came early and that the last significant snowfall was around Christmas time.  They were expecting some the next day.
The ski conditions I heard were rather icy;  just like what we are use to skiing on back east.
The type of trees and landscape would change for the last time.  Redwoods and oaks were what we were seeing now on the other side of the mountain.  It reminded me of Oregon;  the state that I have spent the most time in out west.
We slowly made our way into the valley.  Farmlands would now be prominent throughout most of the last remaining hours of our ride west.
We arrived in Sacramento at about 1:00 pm.  I had to say my farewells to a few people that I had formed close bonds with over the last two days.  We had exchanged our addresses, so I hope that we will stay in touch.
I had about another couple of hours, until I arrived in the Bay Area.  A place that I have visited many times and am very fond of.
It would be a little weird to debark from Train 5 from Chicago. It was such an amazing journey for me.  The special bonds that I now have with so many wonderful people and the beautiful pictures in my mind from looking out the windows on so many occasions, will not fade from my mind for a long time to come.

Train tunnel in the Sierra Nevada Mountains

Snow in the mountains

Glacial Lake

On the other side of the mountains

Time to get off the train

Train Number 5 - End of the Line

Points West of the Continential Divide

Looks like powered sugar out the window

On Thursday, the train contined west through Colorado and then into Utah.  If you have never been cross-country by car, train or bus - I would highly recommend it.  The landscape in the United States changes so much once you get out west.
I continued to spend time in the observation car to meet many great people and to enjoy the wonderful scenes outside the windows.
We arrived early into Salt Lake City at about 11:00pm.  I went out for some fresh air. I walked the platform back and forth to get some exercise and stretch my legs.  After that it was time to get some sleep on my coach seat for the last time.

Amazing Landscapes

Wow!!

Lots of Snow

Sunrise in Utah