Signs of the Times - Southern California

A significant fact about being south of Santa Barbara is that less than 1/3 of California remains. Pismo Beach is actually where the transition from central to southern Cali takes place, and with this transition comes the first sightings of palm trees. Having ventured as far as we have, this is a welcome sight, as it promises sunshine and warm weather - as if we haven't had enough already. For example, take a look at our breakfast table from this morning on the campus of Pepperdine University.
Other signs of being in southern California are as follows: the chipmunks scurrying along the ground have changed to lizards, and the raccoon roadkill has changed to snakes, first sighting of elephant-ear cactus, wide bike lanes, lots of sand, lots of ocean, lots of sheer goodness.

It has been very cool to see the change in climates and geography as we've come down the entire coast, from some of the wettest territory in the country (Hoh Rainforest - though we escaped nearly dry), to some of the driest. i.e. from lush green vegetation and rolling hills, to sandy and rocky landscapes and mountains.

One last tip that you are in southern California - you might see a sign as you are riding along on the Pacific Coast Highway that reads, "San Diego - 198 miles"! Oh yes, friends, oh yes.