Anaheim California

Ball Middle School - Anaheim, California

Monday February 7, 2011

Today I got up early with Laura and made her daily commute to her office, where my bike was.  I met many of her colleagues;  who were all so nice!
She then took me to the Ball Middle School, which was not that far from her office.
It was nice to see the middle school students out for Physical Education Class.  It was a beautiful sunny day.  I thought about my Curtis Cougars back in Massachusetts;  maybe they were snowshoeing.
I spoke to a group of students and then we did 51 jumping jacks!!!
I then said my farewell to Laura and headed east.
I was headed for Riverside.
I went by were the Angels play and the Ducks play.
I would be on one of the river trails again for most of my journey.  There are advantages to the river trail;  the main one being there is no traffic to deal with.  The disadvantage I see is that I do not get to go through the downtown, which I like to do.
Today I traveled another 35 miles or so.
I ended up at the Loma Vista Middle School in Riverside, Ca and I met my new friend Patti who has been teaching Physical Education for 24 years.
Wow, what a lucky person I am to come in contact with all of the wonderful people we have in our country!

Ball Middle School Physical Education Class

Coach Cate and Laura

One of California's Riverways

Richard

Orange Grove

On the way to Riverside, California

Wildflowers along the riverway

Mission Viejo - Site of the Olympic Bike Race in 1984

Mission Viejo, California

Sunday February 7, 2011
Today was yet another beautiful day in Southern California.
I took it easy the beginning of the day to catch up on phone calls and writing.
During the afternoon, Laura and I went on a walk in her town of Mission Viejo.
We went to the finish of one of the bike rides of the 1984 Summer Olympics of Los Angeles.
We also went to the Florence Joyner park, which is very beautiful.
There were placards of Olympic Athletes that have ties to Mission Viejo.
It is a very beautiful city, with many places for people to have fun in whatever recreation activity they love to do.

On a walk in Mission Viejo

Olympic Great Florence Joyer Park - Mission Viejo

Near the Olympic Cycling Race Course of 1984 Summer Games

Thanks Laura and Rachyl for a great time in your city!!!

Pasadena to Anaheim

CAHPERD President Dan Latham and Coach Cate

Physical Education Workshop at Cal State Fullerton 

Saturday February 5, 2011

Today I had the opportunity to meet a bunch of Physical Education Teachers at Cal State - Fullerton.
On this morning, there was a workshop for Physical Education Professionals from the Orange County Area.
It was so nice to be among many dedicated teachers that were taking a Saturday to learn more to take back to their schools.
I had the pleasure to meet and talk with them and then we did 51 jumping jacks in honor for Jack LaLanne.
It was a great morning!
I was then dropped back off in Pasadena by Dan to make my way to Anaheim.
I went to Google Maps to print out directions for bike routes for the next 35 miles.
This gave me the chance to ride in less traffic and go through more neighborhoods.
It was a great day to be riding through the streets of Los Angeles.
I came upon a Lunar New Year festival, were I met some new friends.
Then it was time for me to take a ride on one of California's famous river trails.  These are bike trails that are right next to the many people made riverways that go from the mountains down to the low lands.
On one of the riverbeds I came to a point where I did not which way to go.  Luckily, I was able to get help from Edgar and his family.  It was so nice to chat with them.  There were going on a family bike ride.  After we talked and they helped me out with directions, I was on my way again.
After I went just a short distance, maybe a quarter of a mile;  Edgar came back my way on his bike to give me an orange.  This made my day!  Thanks Edgar!!
I continued on towards Anaheim.  I rode a little into the night on the sidewalks.
Laura came to pick me up to bring me to her house in Mission Viejo.

Speaking to Physical Education Professionals at Cal State Fullerton

Coach Cate and Physical Education Professionals

Lunar New Year Festival - Los Angeles, California

Coach Cate stopping at the Lunar New Year Festival - on my way to Anaheim

Danny and his daughter

Lemon Tree

My visit ride on a California Riverway

My new friend Edgar from Monte Vista and his family

Larry (Steelers) and Betsy (Packers) the night before the Super Bowl

On to Hollywood!

Santa Monica Pier

Friday February 4, 2011

Today, I would leave the Pacific Ocean and start my way east towards the Atlantic Ocean.  Here I come Boston Harbor.
I was in no rush at all to make it back to the Commonwealth.  Not just yet. I was going to take my time and enjoy everything life was going to send to me.
I checked out of the Santa Monica Youth Hostel that I had stayed out for two nights.  The Youth Hostel is two blocks for the beach and a very nice atmosphere to be in.
If you do not know what a youth hostel is, it is a place that people from all over the world go to stay at for reasonable rates and to explore interesting places in the world.
I have stayed at many youth hostels while traveling the world.
They have either dorm rooms or private/family rooms.  They have a kitchen you can use and a general meeting room that sometimes has games and books.
Some hostels will give you breakfast in the morning.  The hostels in Europe, usually serve very yummy foods.
I went to look at the Pacific Ocean one more time and then headed east toward Beverly Hills.
I had been to the hills last night, so it would be nice to see it in the day.  I went to Rodeo Drive;  which is a famous street in Beverly Hillls.
Next were the hills of Hollywood.  I went to Hollywood Bolevard and took some time there to walk around.  I went to Jack LaLanne's star and did 51 jumping jacks in his honor.
I was then headed to Pasadena.  This is one place I had not been, so it would be nice to visit somplace new.
I rode to Old Pasadena which is a very cute and quaint section of Pasadena.  There were many nice shops and places to eat.
I had cycled about 35 miles this day.
I was headed to Downey for the night.

Front Desk at Santa Monica Youth Hostel

Bunk room at Hostel

Santa Monica, California

Coach Cate in Beverly Hills

Rodeo Drive

Hollywood Hills in the background

Hollywood, California

Kodak Theatre - Hollywood

Old Pasadena, California

T.J.'s - Pasadena

Surfing at Venice Beach and then Working Out with Richard Simmons!!!

Richard Simmons and Coach Cate

Thursday February 3, 2011
I was pumped for today.
I first rode on the bike path that goes along the beach.
I wanted to see what the surf was like and if I could get a lesson in the early afternoon.
Along my way, I met Jean the Hooper.  She was out in the sand Hoop'in it up and I had to go talk with her.
We hit it off right away. She is an awesome person, which a lot of great spirit She can hula hoop for an amazingly long time and is another person that I have met that is on the team to make America Healthy again.
Keep Hoop'in Jean.
My surf lesson was Peter and he was such a great teacher.  I have boogie boarded before, but I never surfed.
The weather could have been a lot warmer for me, but I went for it anyway. 
I got up a few times and tumbled with the surf a lot of times.  It was fun and I look forward to doing it again when it is much warmer weather.
I then cycled to the Slimmons Workout studio in Beverly Hills.
I was so excited to meet Richard Simmons, who has been another inspiration to me.  It was an incredible experience.  All of the people who help Richard are amazing too!!! Thanks Anne, Kathy, Michelle, Dana, Sherry, Ellen and Richard!!!!
I went out to dinner with Anne and Kathy after the session.  Thanks and I love all of you!!!

Route 66  - Santa Monica Pier

Working out at the beach - Santa Monica

Jean Hooper - Venice Beach

Coach Cate and her Surfing Instructor Peter - Venice Beach

Slimmons Studio - Where I worked out with Richard Simmons 

Malibu and Santa Monica

Highway 101- Pacific Coast

Wednesday February 2, 2011

Today I would ride through Malibu and then into Santa Monica.
It was another day of amazing vistas from the seat of my bike.
I encountered strong head and side winds from the start.
In fact, I would contend with them all day long.
Double workout for me.
At one point, I had to straddle my bike and walk.  My trailer actually lifted off of the ground.
I saw the Santa Monica Pier in the distance during the late afternoon. A familiar site as I have travelled this route before.
 I cycled about 55 miles total on this day.
I would stay at the Youth Hostel, which is just a couple blocks from the beach.
From this point;  I would head east.  That would not be for a couple of days though.
I had a lot of exciting things to do before then.

Malibu, California

Ventura, California

Santa Monica Pier, California

Here I Go!!!

Santa Barbara, California

Tuesday February 1, 2011

Well it was time to head south and that I did.
What a beautiful ride along the Pacific Coast.
I was off.  Ready for my adventure.
I cycled about 40 miles that day.
I stayed in Oxnard for the night.

Bike path at the Pacific Ocean - Santa Barbara

Carpinteria Beach - California