I am aboard a traing bound for L.A. now. I would jot some of my thoughts for today down now.
First of all, last night was torture. I couldn't sleep. I was haunted by the prospect of having to terminate my trip early or the prospect of having to take a train the next day. Taking the train to bypass Camp Pendleton only to take a train back north in just a few hours seems to somehow trivialize my bike trip. Anyways, I couldn't sleep until 2 A.M. and only half slept from then until getting up at 4:15. I rode in the dark (but under a full moon) and got to the main Pendleton gate (not the San Onfre "South Gate") shortly before 6 P.M. That ride was smooth but a little creepy: I rode on a bike path across open, desolate field and periodically passed by signs that read, "Danger! Explosives in area!"
Finally, I came upon Pendleton Camp's main gate. I rode up among a row of cars of employees trying to get in. At the gate, I was asked whether I was on "official business." I said I was just passing by. The guard told me that I had turn around. My worst fear has come true! I can't pass Pendleton even in the early morning hours!! I pointed to the bike path sign just up beyond the gate and asked whether this was a new policy that I had to get "authorized." He said no - it's always been like this.
Before calling quits, I decided to go for "Plan C." I decided to risk going on the freeway again. Since it was so early in the morning, that cop who pulled me over yesterday was probably still sound sleep at home. I got on the 5 and rode rhythmically for the next 8 miles or so before getting off. So plan C worked!
After talking to a couple of cyclists today and yesterday, I think I have a better idea what was going on at Pendleton now. It used to be that cyclists could ride through Camp Pendleton; however, after 911, only authorized people could go through Camp Pendleton proper. While cyclists could still ride through the greater restricted Camp Pendleton area - such as the bike path I rode on earlier this morning - riders would have to ride on the freeway to bypass Camp Pendleton proper. Fortunately, this section of the freeway was and continued to be open to cyclists (my morning ride was legal, after all). What caused me so much grief the day before was just the manueve.
By the way, about those maneuvers, people tell me that they are actualy quite a treat. Usually they are just tank maneuvers. However this time, it is a very unusal air, naval, land exercise. Woopy! I feel so very privileged! The area of operation did seem large. I saw marine choppers as far down as Torrey Pines - some 30 miles to the south - earlier today!
Today's ride was relatively smooth after I got off the freeway. Torrey Pines was great (though a little hot and hilly); La Jolla was also pretty nice though it felt a little too touristy, like another San Clemente. Oceanside, Solana, and most of the other beach towns north of La Jolla, with the exception of Del Mar, felt like dumps - with pothole galore and average looking beaches.
Scenary wise, the ride south of Dana Point has been a little on the blend side. It's too urban, touristy, and homogeneous. I guess I have been too spoiled by Washington, Oregon, Northern and Central Clifornia. But I made it - Vancouver to San Diego!! I didn't make it to the border because of the delay caused by the maneuvers and my time and cost constraints, but I think that's ok. On this trip, I have learned to take things as given to me. Let what be just be. The final tally? 1822 miles and tons of memories. Yeee--Haaa!
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