Days 151 - 156, decision made!

Days 151 - 156, December 4th to 8th, Fountain of Youth RV Park and Spa

After 10 days off the bikes, we have finally felt ready to remount. However, we will be riding the trails of FOY (approximately 45km of single track) unloaded. So, it is with hesitation but some relief, that we have finished our touring. After deciding not to tour in Baja California,  we had planned to ride back to San Diego but the weather in the mountains between there and here has remained cold and damp. We are getting soft in our old age. To this end, we have booked a rental car from Palm Springs and will load the bikes up and head back by car.

Meanwhile, here at FOY we have been shifting our focus to health benefits other than cycling. I have been hiking each morning in the desert and getting the legs used to a different form of exercise and Gordon has been going to the gym each day. We both do a stretch and strengthen class Monday,  Wednesday and Friday and then in the afternoons soak away our aches in a variety of mineral and salt water hot pools. Evening activities include Boccie Ball, a talent show, and sitting round the fire pit with various new found friends. Many people come for the whole winter each year.  In our case, it was cheaper to book for a month than for 2 and a half weeks so here we are enjoying a temporary retirement!

The trails are great fun either to hike or ride, and the pools are just blissful. It is nice not to pack up each day although some of our gear is in need of repair again including tent zips and deflating mattresses. We have been scrounging in the dumpster and at the free shop each day to supplement the meagre resources we brought with us. I have scored two new dresses, a pair of trousers and two long sleeve sweatshirt type tops so I am not wearing the same clothes each day! Today we have also scored two camp chairs from the dumpster so we can return the two we were lent.

The weather here remains in the late teens and early twenties by day and down to between seven and 11 at night. It is supposed to get slightly cooler next week but still sunny and dry. We will have to leave eventually I guess!