We had to make wholesale changes following the news that passports need to be valid for 3 months after the planned return date. To some countries the requirement is 6 months. You can see more info here, specifically after expanding “How long is a passport valid and is it true that it needs to have at least 6 months of validity remaining?” Anyone know when this happened and what is the benefit? This also means passports are not actually valid/useful for 10 years. Thanks to M. DW for pointing this out before we were at the airport!

Instead of going to NZ – actually we’d already be there – we are staying in the US and heading south along the coast. First stop, as of now, is Limekiln State Park in Big Sur for 2 nights. Then to Montaña de Oro State Park also for 2 nights; trailforks says there is a bit of biking so la de da! I’ve been to Esalen in Big Sur; otherwise this is all new. I’ve never been to anyplace in the San Louis Obispo area except for the annual Cal Poly race back when I was rowing for UCSB.

Then we’ll disperse camp in Los Padres National Forest and continue on to Altadena in LA for 2 nights. First night will be for cleaning up and making some food. We are in love with the slow cooker. Beans + small amount of meat + water + time = delicious. Similar jook / congee and totally something I am qualified and capable of making. Hopefully we can eat at Connie and Teds while we are so close. Delicious and owned by Mme Awesome’s friend DC’s brother.

No accident we are staying close to plenty of biking. In fact, there is a shuttle service which offers many options including a day of riding where one should “Expect 17-21 miles and 11,000′ of descending before returning.” I don’t think I’ve ever experienced 11,000’ of decent in a day. At Northstar I calculated maybe 8,000’ on my bigger days. I’ll have to be sure I am riding well and rested if I sign up for that. Alternatively, I may do the El Prieto Loop ride. Mme Awesome will spend the day listening to M DN speak in West Hollywood and hanging out with friends.

After LA we’ll drive to Death Valley and stay for some time. M VD gifted us a National Parks Pass with a few months left and will benefit here. Thank you! After meandering to Tucson in late March for a few nights at DN & MN’s place we travel to Sedona for “a while” and then have no firm plans.

It is super cold in CA these days. I wonder what the wet nap shower will be like.

As always. any tips appreciated on where to go and what to do!!!!