Average Betty eats Macaroni and Cheese. Click photo to watch episode.

If you’re a fan of iced tea, Betty has some exciting news! Average Betty has teamed up with Tazo Tea and Edelman PR to give three lucky AverageBetty.com readers a sweet Tazo Iced Tea Kit! This cool Kit includes a large glass pitcher, an assortment of fine Tazo Teas, a bottle of raw agave sugar, and a Tazo Tea recipe book! Would you like to win one of these awesome Tazo Tea Kits?

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Here is GABI’s favorite iced tea and sandwich combination, enjoyed on the balcony at Girdwood Alaska Backpackers Inn, of course!

Bicycle riding and Blueberry eating

Pick blueberries along the bicycle path towards Alyeska Resort. The blueberries make a delicious unsweetened iced tea.

Salmon fishing 35ft away from GABI

35ft from the hostel, a salmon is caught in Glacier River. Throw it on the grill to become an Asian Grilled Salmon Sandwich.

Enjoy the 2nd story GABI deck

view from balcony at Girdwood Alaska Backpackers Inn

Sit in a big comfy chair on the second story deck that overlooks the Turnagain Arm. Enjoy views of snow peaked mountains, the calm peaceful water, watch bald eagles fly and make plans for another Average Betty inspired Girdwood, Alaska adventure.

Tazo Tea will be a nice complement to an already beautiful hostel.

Strawberry patch found just a short walk from GABI by the railroad crossing along the Girdwood to Bird Point pathway. Looks like bears and humans ate the majority of berries. There are still a couple left but not enough to bring your favorite berry bucket or make a strawberry pie.

2nd California Coast bicycle ride
January to April 2009
Santa Cruz to San Diego to Santa Monica
230 miles

Our first cycling tour of the California coast (October 2008, 575 miles, 24 days), we focused on camping in nature and enjoying a love affair with simplicity. There is nothing more gratifying to know that essentially all a person needs to explore America can be transported by bicycle. Like any relationship, this infatuation matures. These new feelings led us to want more than bicycle love. In relationships with people, this might translate to choosing the company of friends instead of constantly making out.

Instead of experiencing California by rubbing ourselves day after day on a leather bike seat, firmly gripping the handle bars, enjoying the motion of legs pumping up and down, and the wind blowing through our hair as we reach downhill speeds of close to 30 mph, we chose to broaden our bicycle relationship and share our bicycle love with the coastal people.

From Love Apple Farm in Ben Lomond, California, we pedaled 7 downhill miles to Santa Cruz. Through the touring cyclist network, WarmShowers, we met Anne who took us foraging for fruit. In January, Santa Cruz had an abundance of apples and oranges. Anne had as many interesting stories to tell. We would just kick back and eat fruit while petting the dogs. At one point she mentioned her dog ate her dad’s ashes. If I’d had a ouija board, I would have loved to meet him.

foraging for oranges with Anne in Santa Cruz

We met up with Doug whom we’d befriended on our first coastal tour. He took us to his favorite place to play cribbage. It is a beautiful spot that overlooks the Pacific and sunbathing Californians. Doug wasn’t playing his best. I suppose it might have to do with losing part of his finger in a sailing accident the day before in the San Francisco Bay.

sunny afternoon cribbage with Doug in Santa Cruz, whom we met on our 1st California coast bike ride

In Monterey, an evening at Paulo’s consisted of a plethora of ice cream choices, grappa, and Scrabble. Paulo, a native Italian, enjoys the challenge of playing Scrabble in English. Once again, I lost another game. However, I just enjoy the challenge of sitting through a game of Scrabble.

Paolo and his stack of dessert in Monterey

Paolo referred us to his friend, Dave, who does maintenance and decorative metalwork at TreeBones Resort in Big Sur. Dave can take a piece of forgotten metal and turn it into a flower. At TreeBones, he has a metal art studio and his wife, Cinda Lee, has a garden that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. At TreeBones, the owner believes everyone has an inner artist. When the daily chores have been finished, then its time to work on art. Cinda Lee can take a patch of dirt and turn it into fertile soil. The veggies she grows are used in the TreeBones restaurant to feed the guests. Guests are in awe of Dave’s metal work and Cinda’s organic garden. Check out our video of Dave talking about the creative process of making a handrail.

hiking Big Sur with Dave and Cinda Lee

In Cambria, we met Anne Wyatt, owner of the Bridge Street Inn hostel. Motivated to learn about Anne’s sustainability practices as well as the business side of operating a hostel, we arranged to stay for a few days and help out with odd projects. Painting the picket fence and helping Anne’s twin sister, Aimee, with remodel work turned into six weeks of doing laundry, making beds and greeting guests. During this time, we learned about managing a hostel, had neighborhood bonfires, sat at the ocean, and went to a George Harrison party hosted by Dino who managed Dark Horse Records. Check out our video about water conservation at the Bridge Street Inn Hostel. As we packed up our bicycles to start pedaling toward New Mexico, Anne invited us to attend the upcoming Hostelling International national operators meeting in Santa Monica. We postponed New Mexico and hugged the coastline for another month in anticipation of an informative meeting.

fell in love with the hostel host lifestyle and sustainable practices of Anne Wyatt at Bridge Street Inn, Cambria

In San Diego, John Alonge took us to several delicious drinking and eating establishments. We’d first met John at the Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch, sitting on the front porch exchanging songs, poetry, and stories as the evening sun kissed the Sawtooth Mountains.

The real adventure in San Diego didn’t begin until we met up with John’s partner, Dawn, and good friend, Jim Jenkins, of Jenkins Winery. In his book The Wine Heretic, John elaborates on the idea that anything goes when it comes to wine, especially if the love of wine is what motivates. In a homemade garage still, John took some old wine from Jenkins Winery and distilled it into brandy. Anyone else would have poured it out or given it to the hired help. The Wine Heretic knows how to love all sorts of wine, even the questionable wine. Check out our video about recycling wine with the wine heretic.

John Alonge, the Wine Heretic, making moonshine in San Diego

From San Diego we ventured into the Inland Empire. My sister had called to ask if we would housesit. After a weekend of walking the dog and watching Cesar Milan, we stayed beyond the call of house sitting to help plant the garden and take an unexpected drive to Napa Valley.

pedaling the Santa Ana River Trail to San Bernardino

We then headed back to the coast with our bicycles to bum around Carpenteria and Ventura.

camping at Carpinteria State Beach

The Hostelling International meeting in Santa Monica came at the perfect time during our trip “Bicycling Highway 1 into the Great Beyond.” Our only commitment was to the Coonridge Organic Goat Dairy in New Mexico. Hearing rumors from friends and family in Boise, Idaho that the snow was melting and the inversion had lifted, we began to make tentative plans to head to Boise after visiting the dairy. While at the operators meeting, we met Jaime who happens to be opening a hostel in Girdwood, Alaska. He is looking for a couple to inject some soul and personality into the project. Anyone can manage a hostel, just like anyone can poor a cup of coffee, but not just any coffee establishment can offer a coffee drinker events such as Valentines for AIDS.

So, basically, Jamie would like to give world travelers more than a cheap bunk. He wants his hostel to be a centerpiece of community involvement, music, poetry, art, and education. We were hired to infuse the hostel with unique cultural experiences that only a poet and gardener can give, and possibly a trick dairy goat named Asparagus that can slow dance to Motley Crue’s Without You.

After seven months on the Pacific Coast, we turned inland toward the goat dairy. The baby goats had almost all arrived and we need to be in Alaska in June, so we hopped on the train to New Mexico. We now have been living off the grid for a month. In fact, this blog comes to you via solar power and satellite internet. If you’re in need of a goat story, check out Goat Walking in the Wilds of New Mexico

Amy with X-Agon our goat guide

pedaling
the steep grade
of the curvy road
that trails off
into the horizon
has tired my legs
and mentally
worn me out

fatigue
pulls me
to the edge
of the shoulder

sleepiness
overtakes my body

I
crawl
into the grass
close my eyes
let nature reclaim
this pile of exhaustion

I stare into the sun
and murmur,
“little tick, little tick,
my blood is healthy
and thick
enjoy, enjoy
grow vigorous
and quick

“big deer,
don’t poke me
with your antlers
but gently lick
my armpits
they are mercury free
I want to be
your salty popsicle

“scary mountain lion,
I apologize
my body is lean
and somewhat trim
didn’t go to the McDonald’s
feed lot
or
graze in the grocery
snack and soda aisle
before setting out
on this trip”

A yellow flower catches my eye.

It has grown
through
the pavement,
dodging cars,
not being eaten
by critters.

A flower
as miraculous
as a man walking on water.

Miracle flowers and miracle men
have the same effect
on the observer.
I find strength
to ask a passing
woman on a bicycle
for help.
I tell her I want to be strong
like the flower.

She happens to be a gardener.

Water with lemon
hits my lips
like stinging nettle tea
to a droopy plant.

A peanut butter jelly sandwich
gives me energy
like worm poop to a turnip.

My legs no longer feel wilted.

I get up off the ground.
She looks me up and down,
admiring her horticultural work.
She says,
“Your bright yellow vest
and white body remind me of a daisy.
From now on, your bicycling name
will be Daisy Spectacular.
I now
beseech you to
ride, ride,
grow towards the sun.”

Before my departure for the Pacific Coast, some people expressed concern that I would be involved in a tragic automobile/bicycle accident rendering my arms useless.  People assumed they would not receive this essay in such a timely manner because typing with my nose is a skill that takes a while to learn.   

Some parts of Highway 1 did bring about beads of sweat.  The highway can become so narrow that there is no room for a roadside cross.  A non-attentive driver simply has to knock you in the shoulder.  The sudden jolt of shoulder pain wouldn’t bother you because you’d be soaring with a smile beside the seagulls as you plummet towards the sun bathing sealions or get smashed into the side of the mountain. Fortunately, a bicycle rider is more likely to get hit in an intersection.

 Travel Stats: 

Gaulala, CA (100 miles north of San Francisco) to Malibu, CA

575 miles in 24 days, a leisurely pace.

Average daily expenses $38, eating peanut butter and beans and splurging on a day at the Monterey aquarium.

4 busses and 1 train, public transportation from Malibu to Redlands, California 

Concerning my preconceived notions of long distance bicycle riding and leisure time, I was in for a surprise. Usually the day would consist of waking up around 7AM, packing, hitting the road around 9AM.  Our most frequent stops were at grocery stores, coffee shops with free wi-fi, produce stands, and at the tops of hills to take gulps of water.  Only four campsites were actually close enough to town to check open mic or plug in the computer to work on films or travel stories.  Usually we would pull into the camp around time for dinner, set up camp, maybe read or play cards, then go to bed.  When the sun dropped it would get cold, so we’d bundle up in our sleeping bags.  My dad gave me a radio run on solar power.  Usually the radio couldn’t pick up stations, but on the nights when it was really cold and you could pick up NPR, it was definitely worth the added weight.  Kind of how an apple tastes much juicier after a five hour bicycle ride, a day of pedaling makes Terry Gross’s voice sound that much sweeter.

 The California coast has plenty of campgrounds with sites specifically designated for hikers and bikers.  No reservations are required, all hikers and bikers share the same site, and the cost is reasonable, between $3 and $5 per person. 

We rarely camped alone at the hiker/biker sites.  Sometimes up to 13 bicycle riders shared a campsite, and we met people from all over the world.  The world travelers we met were from Europe, Canada and New Zealand.  Most people we met briefly as they were on tight time schedules to catch a flight or train home.  

 The US riders were typically from the West coast.  They would ride down the coast, then take the train back home to San Francisco, Portland, or Seattle.  Keep in mind, because of the wind, almost everyone rides Highway 1 from north to south. 

Compared to Idaho campers, California campers are very clean.  Almost all of the campsites had hot showers that were either free or cost a couple of quarters.  All of the campsites had clearly labeled, easily accessible bins for recycling bottles and cans.

As we approached southern California, we started to meet bicycle riders who live on the road. The camp rules became stricter.  For instance, some hiker/biker sites had “no alcohol” signs posted. RVs next to the hiker/biker site had bottles of alcohol littered around their comfortable lawn chairs.  Some campgrounds had a one night limit, and one campground had a 9AM check out. 

Bill rides the Iron Buffalo, a bike that weighs 175 pounds with gear, including the antlers on the handlebars.  He started his journey 6 years ago from Boston on a search for the first Starbucks in Seattle.  He didn’t start his trip with the white plastic buckets that serve as rear panniers.  He used to have a tent and panniers just like ours, he claims.  A squirrel in search of granola ate through one of his panniers, and he exchanged his tent for tarps for reasons we’re not quite sure. 

One man who talked so much I could never ask his name assured me the cops will never ticket or arrest you the first time they find you sleeping under a bridge.  The key is never get comfortable under one bridge.  You must be on the move, always under different bridges.  Similar to how people move their car from spot to spot in a 2 hour parking area.  I got invited to eat at the mission in San Luis Obispo.  Kept my curiosity to myself when he mentioned he had a warrant in Oregon. 

At night, when I heard rustling sounds, I could always distinguish a raccoon from a bicycle rider who lives on the road.  The raccoons don’t have a smokers hack. 

Other fascinating people we met:

In front of Sunshine Bicycles in Fairfax, I met a man wearing an International Workers of the World t-shirt. When people ask how I can afford my Bicycling Highway 1 and into the Great Beyond trip, I tell them the secret is not having credit card debt. We started talking about national debt and the recession.  He told me the union he belongs to encourages workers to take advantage of union discounts on cars, boats, etc. These discounts are a perk of being in the union.  His fellow workers are encouraged by teamsters to go into debt. His voice gets excited, “How can a person go on strike if they are in debt?”  I suppose a person in debt has no strike power.  I cannot count how many people I have met who would quit their jobs if they weren’t caged by debt to flee a worthless job or this war-mongering nation. The first tool to enable a person to strike is a bicycle.  The first step to a healthy economy is the bicycle.

Donna and Paul camped next to us in Gualala.  When they discovered our route would take us right past their house in Marshall, they invited us to stay a night with them at their house on beautiful Tomales Bay. Unfortunately, instead of accepting their offer, we decided to ride 17 miles further to Samuel P. Taylor State Park.

Donna and Paul have a website called Divining Seduction. http://www.evolutionaryrevolution.org/

They have a fresh look and solution to the current US and world patriarchal system

The Egg knows…

Evolutionary Revolution gives Darwinian cultural permission to all women to use their forgotten biological power to initiate seduction.  Hence, she will select her mate and guide him to mindfulness. Women can create loving and effective partnerships, stop the male war habit, help men to redefine “progress” and reduce their need of ‘stuff’.

Met Doug on the bike path in Santa Cruz.  He was out for a day ride and gave us directions.  The second time he passed us, he offered us a place to stay for the night.  He entertained us with travel stories and YouTube sailing videos.  He recently helped sail ‘Adios’ to the Moore 24 National Championship at Richmond YC.  For the full story, check out the October issue of Latitude 38.  Besides racing sailboats, he is a great host, took us to the farmer’s market, makes a delicious breakfast, has no TV, built his house using the most current green technology, and put a 60 foot bike lane in front of his house.

Videos we made along California Highway 1:

Mendocino Hotel

Swanton Berry Farm 

Henry Miller Memorial Library

Tomorrow we are taking a vacation from our bikes and heading to Baja California, Mexico by bus.  I thought it would be fun to spend the night and celebrate my 33rd birthday in Tijuana.  We e-mailed a fellow in Tijuana that we found on a website called Hospitality Club to see if we could spend the night with him.  This is what he said, “Why travel thru mexico? Havent u seen what is going on in mexico nowdays with all those murders, kidnappings, etc….? especially in Tij which is number 1. People dont party anymore or go to restaurants cus of the shootings in public. even myself i dont go out, be careful throughout ur trip. Ok have a nice day, bye”

More photos of our trip

Click here to enjoy the pics of the Atlanta, Idaho bicycle tour

Amy and I along with Jay and Emily took a bicycle tour from Boise, Idaho to Atlanta, Idaho in the summer of 2008.  We followed the Boise River for 2 nights and 3 days.  In Atlanta we stayed in the Honey Moon Cabin.  We were given a tour of the town from Jack and Frank, met the famous historian/artist Keri, and had a garden fresh salad compliments of Greg.  From Atlanta to Boise we once again followed the Boise River.   My Dad camped with us on the way back into town.

Special thanks to Frank, Jack, Keri, Greg, Allen, Ms. Chavez.  Photo credits:  Frank, Jack, Emily, Jay, Amy and Brandon

View Larger Map

Merritt’s Country Café, on any given day before the new Idaho smoking came into effect, was a den of smoke.  The attractiveness of Merritt’s were the hours.  A smoker could buy a bottomless cup of coffee and smoke for 24 hours, 7 days a week. You could always spot a first timer because they would come with a half pack of smokes.  The regulars might have a half pack of smokes on the table but definitely kept a carton in the car along with a bottle of zippo fluid. The only thing that could make the smoker slow down might be the apocalypse, oxygen tank switch, death bed or sadly when the smoking laws changed.

Now that smoking laws have come into effect, the rhythm of Merritt’s 2:30AM mating ritual – watery coffee, cheesy omelet, full-bodied drag, are you sober yet, your place or mine – has been replaced by teenagers and young adults who get off on loads of sugar packs and whip cream.  I have graciously accepted these changes because I’m ready to become a 24-hour fresh air breather. 

The one aspect that hasn’t changed at Merritt’s Country Café is the busy State Street four-lane road.  If a person walking or bicycling down State needs some fresh air, I recommend taking a break at Merritt’s. 

It’s criminal that a person has to step into a building with special air filters so that he or she may breathe fresh air, so recently the federal government has threatened to get in bed with the Treasure Valley’s air quality clean up program.  The solutions presented by our local elect, such as reduce driving and mow lawns in the evening, as reported in the Idaho Statesman reminds me of a smoker afraid that lung cancer might get involved in their daily life so the smoker makes an attempt to cut down their dangerous habit by switching from hand rolled Drum cigarettes to Marlboro Reds. 

When it comes down to it corporations and politicians love the money generated by the automobile and drivers love to drive and smokers love nicotine.  One way to dramatically decrease air pollutants would be to stop driving.  This sort of idea is as crazy as telling people to reduce lung cancer they must stop smoking.  I propose a compromise similar to the Idaho smoking laws that will help solve the air quality issue. The local elect must switch their air quality attitude from Marlboro Red cigarettes to Marlboro Ultra Lights.

Think of four lane roads as public buildings and restaurants.  The rule is a person can’t smoke in the restaurant but can smoke in designated outside areas.  An example would be Flying M Coffee House.  A person can’t smoke inside but can smoke on the patio.  Four-lane roads will have two lanes dedicated to cars, one lane dedicated to bicycles, and one lane dedicated to public transit.  

Think of two lane roads as public sidewalks.  Smokers and nonsmokers share the sidewalk.  Two lane roads will be shared by motorized and non-motorized vehicles.  The difference will be the hierarchy.  The bicycle/pedestrian rights will SOCIALLY and lawfully come first.

Think of I-84 as the bar.  The nonsmoker who walks into 10^th Street Station or Turners Bar will be taking their lungs into their own hands.  Just as smokers have total smoker freedom in the bar so may the vehicles on the freeway. 

How will the city pay for these changes? One way to help pay for the costs of re-marking the lanes would be to create permanent space for vendors such as produce stands, food carts, and bookmobiles.   The local government would then collect a tax or rent fee on the barricade space.  Another idea – create a special sales tax on bicycles.  Citizens who use a lane need to pay for bicycle related city services.

Because our economy is based on capitalism, the above ideas will not be deemed successful in terms of air quality and health but in terms of air quality and money.  From my simple observations of the Boise smoking scene, the industry stills generates a fare amount of money.  At first, times were difficult for the smoker with the new laws.  Restaurants complained about patrons not being able to take a drag between their poached salmon and crème brulee, but people made do with the changes.  People complained when cigarette prices cost the same as a gallon of fuel but made do by smoking cheaper brands like USA Golds.  I no longer hear the smoker grumble.  The pendulum has swung back into balance.  I would bet there are more tobacco stores, cigar rooms, and hookah bars in Boise since the smoking laws went into effect.  The above observations indicate good news for politicians, corporations, and drivers who are afraid these driving ideas will have negative economic impacts.  Times at first will be a bit of a challenge, like a smoker who had to learn how to put down the cigarette from his left hand and replace it with a sugar packet.

The point being if a Merritt’s Country Cafe smoker can make the Idaho smoking law transition so can a Treasure Valley vehicle addict. 

Heading south from Boise to Kuna, I travel in constant traffic. From Kuna to Swan Falls, the road is straight with long rolling hills. The desert landscape of lava rock and sagebrush lends itself to clear views of the horizon, which makes sharing the road safe for both motorists and bicyclists.

The traffic becomes lighter, but the large SUVs are now pulling boats. Amy and I are the only ones traveling by bicycle, with panniers and a bicycle trailer loaded with camping equipment but no room for motorized contraptions or a cooler full of booze. From observing my fellow Swan Falls recreationalists, I become worried about boredom on this adventure.

Will a day at the Snake River without petrol or booze be like celebrating Jesus’s birthday without gifts, enjoying Thanksgiving without a television, or being charitable without going through an approved organization?

When I reach the rim of the canyon and look down onto Swan Falls, I feel like a vegetarian who has walked into a steak house to find a green local salad bar with a sesame grilled tofu vegetarian option.

Swan Falls offers a park with large trees giving shade – perfect for picnics, bird watching, reading, writing, fishing and playing cards. The bathroom provides flushing toilets, a water fountain, and plenty of counter space to wash dishes. Beyond the park, a person can follow the rocky road to set up a tent in between the sagebrush.

As the boat people are getting ready to turn the Snake River into a busy roadway, my favorite activity, after a four and a half hour bike ride, is strip to my cycling shorts and go for a swim.

written by The Strawberry Girl

Dear Friends,

Greetings and welcome to the Strawberry Fields!

If you follow a long dirt path tucked secretly behind the old Idaho State Penitentiary, you’ll find a narrow paved path that runs from Old Penitentiary Road to Castle Rock Park, off Warm Springs Boulevard in Boise, Idaho. The picturesque strip of Warm Springs from Broadway to Old Penitentiary Road provides plenty to the biking set, the dear “Friends of the Field.” Though a brief excursion, your faithful Strawberry Girl and her ever-constant, asexual life partner – a 1987, single gear, brand-less, USA-made blue, named “Azzuri” – were enthralled by this quiet and secluded ride.

The two lovers found themselves enjoying this bike path not once, not even twice, but four times—alone, naturally—and not for journalistic purposes rather sheer boredom.  Strawberry and Azzuri found the unnamed and relatively unknown path to be ideal for rides through the Boise foothills with small kids in tow or a quick trip to the park for picnicking. It was among this path that your jaded and often socially inappropriate Strawberry Girl decided it was definitely time to continue her adventures and report back the findings to her precious readers.

The Strawberry Girl enjoys defying rules and law enforcement and often has no qualms about breaking the rules to get a good scoop. Therefore, the two rusty old NO TRESSPASSING signs she passed along the path did not hesitate her motion in the slightest, though she must advise that her readership, the “Friends”, take the more lawful path. This would sacrifice some dramatic views from the gothic, Addams Family-like Old Penitentiary, but is satisfying nonetheless.

Straw B.G. and Azzuri also took advantage of the reasonable $4 admission (or, free with membership) to Tai Chi in the Garden at the Idaho Botanical Gardens, taught beautifully in the main plaza, at the very do-able time of 10am every Saturday, with local instructor Dave Lewis. Following Tai Chi on Saturdays, participants may enjoy bringing a sack brunch (sorry, no mimosas! That was a rule with which S.G. did comply) overlooking downtown Boise in the lush Rose Garden.

Lastly, Friends, the Strawberry Girl would like to let the record show that summer, in all her heat and glory, has officially arrived in Boise, and the StrawB and Azzuri couldn’t be happier. Already, Azzuri has received a brand new pair of tubes to usher in the season and the Strawberry Girl even treated herself to a new (used) helmet!

Until the next adventure…

-The Strawberry Girl