Jacumba CA to Calexico CA

Monday March 14th

 Last night got pretty cold at our “Clothing Optional Resort”. This morning we ate breakfast, then bundled up in cold weather clothes for the upcoming ride down the mountain.  Ten miles into the ride we saw this sign. And for the next 12 miles or so, we descended around 2,500 feet on the shoulder of Interstate I-8.  Traffic wasn't too bad and the shoulder was pretty smooth. So in what seemed like just a few short minutes we went from cold to nice and warm at an elevation of 400 feet.  Really awesome to be able to coast at speeds nearing 40 mph in many sections.  Like others, I start braking after about 35 mph.  Those crazy days are over, I think. 

Todays lunch after arriving in Calexico.  A California chicken salad. There was a skinny cat hanging around our outdoor table.  I gave it my chicken and tortilla chip pieces.  He wasn't fussy.  I got into town right at Noon but we couldn't move into our accommodations until school got out. We are sleeping in the gymnasium of a Seventh- day Adventist School that is located right next to the border fence. The students will be preparing our dinner and breakfast tomorrow.  Apparently most SDA’ers are vegetarian/ and or  vegan. So our meals are unlike any I would normally eat.  These guys also don't drink coffee or adult beverages.  

Just one night at this school and we will move on.  Most of the students are Mexican and walk back and forth across the border daily.  

Our accommodations for tonight. Scenery today other than the downhill section was primarily scrub brush, not very exciting.  But it was a nice hot dry sunny day. Its 86 degrees now at 5 PM. Tomorrow its off to Yuma and we cross over into Arizona.  Todays mileage was 52, and we climbed 967 feet, average speed 16, a good day. Calories burned were 1723.