Jan 8 Cambria

The house on Benson St is wonderful until you have to ride your bike home. We have scoured every way there is to get home; there are no easy ways, no matter what, it is up. The most popular way is up the ocean side. Probably shorter than all the others, but the steepest. However, I think I have found my favorite way:
1. Head up Highway 1. It is a long gradual climb. Okay, it slants a bit more uphill about half way up. It is maybe a half mile long. But, the best part is it is in shade.
2. At the top of the hill, turn right on Burton and immediately right on Fern and immediately get off your bike and catch your breath.
3. Back on the bike, ride down Fern on a dirt road. At the bottom get off the bike and walk up to Amherst. This is all shade and beautifully green and lush with Acorn Woodpeckers high up in the trees.
4. The top is very steep to walk but if you stay to the right it is a little less steep...every little bit helps.  At the top get back on the bike and ride straight to Trenton, turn left.
5. Ride to Kenneth. Turn right and go as fast downhill as you can so that you can almost glide to the top, although not quite, at least never for me. :)
6. Turn left on Tipton and ride to Ardath.
7. You will turn right on Ardath. But, first you make sure there are no cars coming or going. Then, turn it lose downhill and you will coast right to the top that overlooks a spectacular view of the ocean.
8. Take the second left on Benson and come on home. Yes, it is uphill there, too. But, it is gradual and you are almost home where a Mickey's Big Mouth Beer is waiting to be shared with your cohorts in crime. Of course, you must figure out the riddle inside the lid before your oh-so-wonderful sip!