Life is a Beach

Malibu

Tuesday, July 5th
Oxnard, CA to Santa Monica, CA

Malibu. Beaches. Finally, I made it to the coastline! I laughed thinking about Malibu Stacy and her pro-feminist messages. "Thinking gives you wrinkles, *giggle*". I kept watch for Ken and Barbie to drive past in their convertible.

Morning camp. Oxnard, CA. Community college.

Maintenance guy came by at 2 am, didn't kick me out or nothin'. We just exchanged a hello and he went about his job pretending to himself that I wasn't there. Nice for me that left the restrooms unlocked after cleaning them. I brushed my teeth inside, and spared bushes outside from watering.

Didn't sleep much during the night, so I napped on the first beach I encountered in the morning.

Yay! First beach of my trip.

Lifeguard came by to see if I was a July 4th hungover drunk or if I needed assistance. Just resting my eyes, sir. When I woke up there was another lifeguard running shirtless on the sand, a handsome Baywatch blonde, who gave me a hunky smile.

Route 1 to Malibu.

Zuma beach was large with rows of volleyball courts. But none of the Malibu beaches could hold up to Santa Monica's groomed 3.5 mile coastline ahead.

Sunny, cool breeze. 70F. Somebody hand me a lemonade with a parasol. This ride couldn't get any easier.

Stopped at Pepperdine University along the coast for a shower.

The great Santa Monica desert begins.

Ah ha. He's where the people are at.

beach bikeway

resorts

tourist traps

Played flute for an hour by the beach. One guy requested Titanic and I played it for him.

OK time to leave and get dinner buffet. Had no breakfast or lunch. Only cookies.

I've missed black people. Haven't seen much on my California trip until Los Angeles county. It warms my heart that they're around. They speak English. Their culture is rich and American. They'll joke around with you and smile, mmm hmmm.

Looked for a quiet campus to spend the night. Instead found the university bustling with high school students with name tags around their necks. Nearby high schools were fenced all around, couldn't use their electrical outlets either.

One of the honors gifted accelerated advancement high schools, Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets, was attended by Phil Hartman! You may remember him from such television comedy classics such as Saturday Night Live and News Radio.

Loyola Marymount University. Jesuit university. Place is loaded with cash.

University view over Marina del Ray harbor.

Didn't get much sleep. Some of the locals might not have either. Traveled another ten miles with a loud creaky bottom bracket through empty towns and silent residences searching for an electrical outlet.

Eventually there was a closed CVS. One single employee showed up for work at 2 am, then sent me on my way at 6 am to open the store. Fortunately, a Holiday Inn was right next door so I ate breakfast.

Bike is entering its needy phase after taking mountain abuse. I spent an hour at the university restringing a frayed brake cable that curled and jammed the lever. Adjusted front brake but the disc rubs and yet the brakes don't apply enough stopping force. The bottom bracket cracks and creaks like it's splitting apart. Its fitting might be worn out of shape by now and need replacement.

I need repairs bigger than I can handle myself. Doubtful if someone at Dick's the retailer would help me out or the manufacturer's limited warranty could hand me a new bike. I'm not willing to get robbed at a repair shop or wait weeks for parts to arrive. Instead, I might ride this mule into the ground. Bummer.



Monday, July 4th. 
Ventura, CA.

Ventura county hall

July 4th festivities markets

Sinking Titanic inflated slide. I find this in poor taste. Too soon.

Buffet with Ulix

A blank check to complain and criticize because I always do.

For some reason, all the big box shops were open on this holiday. Even Lowe's. I thought I'd be able to get a nice quiet place to myself and relax but apparently people needed lumber supplies to celebrate their independence. I was sorely disappointed.

Tried a second store forty minutes across town. No outlets along the sides or rear of either building. That's a first. Another first is that both had security. I put my bicycle at the front where no one walks past or shops, behind rows of outdoor benches next to a tool shed. So what if it's there?

But some anonymous customer tipped off security. This the first time I've had any issues at Lowe's. Who is this guy and what does he care about a bike? Is that somehow bothering you? Then what's your problem? You shouldn't even be here. Go get drunk and eat a hamburger, ferchrissakes it's a national holiday. The security guy was sorry that I had to leave because a customer was so inconsiderate.

: )

Beaches are cool, but I'm not such a cool guy. I don't have a surfboard. The coastline is easy on the eyes, but it gets boring fast. I like towns that have comfortable easygoing accommodations. The California coast is cramped and I feel restricted.

It was nice to get to the beach. But now that I'm here, I wanna get away somewhere without so many people, rules, and shoulders rubbed the wrong way.