Day 2 - The Climb and Border Wall

Today we left the comfort of our hotel in Alpine and continued our steady climb to Jacumba. Without a doubt, it was the hardest day of cycling I've experienced. The roads were decent in most areas but dangerous in others due to cracked and potholed pavement. I had a nice surprise as I was peddling up a long grade. A motorcycle (big Harley) pulled up beside of me and the rider called my name. I was shocked. It was David Geier who I met yesterday at the tire dipping. He took a number of great photos that day and sent them to me. We talked awhile and then I continued climbing thinking about the good and kind people I've met in a short time. Thanks David! 

After 46 miles of mostly uphill we descended a little hill to the village of Jacumba which sits right next to "the wall." Before 1999 the town was open to Mexico wth family members living on either sides of the border. Mexican and US children went to the same school and families shopped the same stores. Today the complexion of the town has changed. The border wall is under surveillance by both the US Border Patrol and the Coyote Scouts (human smugglers). As I lay here the constant barking of dogs is keeping many of us awake. Every yard is guarded by a large dog. However, the people are friendly and we're sleeping on a small church's property.

We all pitched in $4 to purchase one room at The Jacumba Spa and Resort, $60 and the owner Ralph allowed all seventeen of us to shower and use the natural sping fed pools.

We had great dinners there and very good beers as we watched the Pitt/Penn State Game. The Spa faced the wall so it made for good conversation while we ate. 

(The Border Wall as we descended into Jacumba)

(A popular menu item at the Spa)

Tomorrow we have one more hill to climb and then we descend almost 40 miles. Hope my brakes don't fail me. It's interesting, two days to get to the top and two hours to go down. Stay tuned. . .