When going through my old file from my Trace the Mitten solo tour I found a list of my  gear.

I am captivated in reviewing such lists, still after all these years and rides.  Why because I refine my list for next time.

Miscellaneous:
      Business Cards-great to hand out with contact info on it.
      Extra glasses-I am blind without them.  What if they break?
      Wallet
      Medicine- I need this.
      Sink-I use this for washing my clothes.
       Rubber gloves- Great for taking down a wet tent on a cold morning.
      steri light water purifier
      phone
      bandaids
      pain reliever
      toilet paper
​       chain link

Riding time:
      Rain jacket- waterproof- wind resistant
      Rain pants-
      Socks 2 pair
      Long tights
      shorts 2 pair
      buff- neck gater
      skull cap
      fall skull cap
      stocking cap
      sunglasses
      gloves
      rain gloves
​     Camelbak or waistpack with water bladder
     water bottles for rack-3
     spare tubes-2
     spare tire
     rain socks
     pump
     tire patches
     chamois butter
     plastic drop cloth.10' x 10'- Covers bike or added barrier to wet ground
    chain lube
     rags-3
     arm warmers or arm sleeves
     ankle reflector straps- For visibility and long pants wraps
     handlebar bag- holds the grab quick things, lightweight items, food
     gas tank bag- inhaler, multi-tool,  plastic bag, zip ties, pencil, leatherman, levers
     handlebar light
     cycle computer
     nylon windbreaker
     keen sandals- for camp, wading streams, rainy days
      cycle shoes

Evening
     headlamp
     long pants
     shorts
​      towel
      chair
      tent with rain fly and footprint
     underwear-3 pair
     cotton t-shirt
     long sleeve button shirt
     long sleeve base layers-2
     ball cap
     mosquito head net
     book
     solar charger
     battery block with power cords
      drawstring bag
      disposable poncho

Toiletries
      toothbrush
       toothpaste
       soap
      shampoo
      flip-flops
     
Sleep time
       plastic jar- Beats walking to the latrine.
       sleeping long johns
      sleeping bag 
        sleeping bag liner
       therma rest pad
       pillow
 
Cooking
      Titanium cook set
      Spork
      can opener
      pan scrubber pad
      lighter
      matches
      cook stove
      fuel
     windscreen  
     drinking cup 

The only time that I had traveled any part of Hines Drive was at night to see the annual light show during Christmas Season.  On my second part of the Trace the Mitten Tour I traveled about a mile of it off the I 275 trail on my way to Ypsilanti.  I had heard that it was a favorite spot for serious bike riders as it stretches 17.5 miles with a big shoulder. Otherwise I only knew that it floods during heavy rains because it follows the River Rouge.

How did it get its name?

Hines was a printer by trade and he served on the Wayne County Road Commission, the county includes the city of Detroit.  Another member of the group was Henry Ford.  Mr. Hines was an avid cyclist in the late 1800s.  Bicycle riding groups were the first to advocate for road improvements.  These riders were the first gravel grinders.

Mr. Hines was responsible for the first mile of concrete road in 1909.  In 1911, he came up with the idea of a painted line down the middle of the road as he saw a milk delivery truck leaking as it travel down the lane.  He also initiated the snow removal from roads and a leader in promoting landscaping along the roads. In 1920 he worked to acquire the land along the Rouge River from Northville to Dearborn.

I still have some time by the nice beaches.  The water area here is called Monterey Bay.

I read John Steinbeck's book about this area and I was anxious to see what it looks like now.

This next stretch will have several State Parks and it should be easy to move as the mood moves me.

In researching, I was reminded that Edward Weston, a famous photographer during the early 20th century used this area as a base for a time period.  I love his work. Check it out.

Like in Michigan, lighthouses get placed in places that are hard to navigate by ship.  

Andrew Molera State Park is another place along the Big Sur Coast.  The conditions is considered the most reliable in the area by surfers.

I had not heard of a lime kiln and I grew up in the limestone area of Indiana.  For three years, 1887-1890, a company quarried the local limestone and heated it in these kilns to extract the lime.  From here it was placed on ships.  

Today I participated in a 22 mile group ride called the Green Cruise.  The bike I used is shown above.  I just picked this up three days ago and wanted to try it in various settings and situations to get an understanding of how it will meet my needs.

In the past, I shied away from group rides because I ride at a pace so much slower than everyone.  I will probably bike between 8 and 12 mph.  When I push the 12+ mph I will need to back off or stop to catch my breath.  The other aspect of group rides are hills and wind.  Some hills are too steep or too long and I run out of oxygen and  need to stop.   When heading into a strong headwind or a long stretch of a lesser wind, I will need to back off, gear down tremendously, or stop.  My fear is that I will not be able to keep up or that I will hold the group back.

I thought that I would try the new e-bike at Cty e2.2. After a couple of rides which had totaled over  50 miles with over 1600 feet of climbing and I had four of five battery left indicator lights.  I felt confident that the battery would last for this ride.  The organizers were saying the ride was to be a 12 mph pace.  When I did this ride in the past, I was able to do it with my regular tour bike.  The route has no major hills and uses quiet residential streets, but there are many busy streets to organize the safe crossing of  a hundred riders. These stops allow the group  to  cluster again. 

My new bike displays  the speed and I was consistently between 12-15 mph.  I was in the ECO mode only and did not need to bump it too more power assist.  I felt confident the whole way. Near the end of this ride another battery life remaining light went dark.

I feel confident going on other group rides with the Cty e2.2 bike from REI Co-op.  The bike also traveled well on my Saris bike rack for four bikes. I am also seeing how this bike will be good for longer rides or tours.

I took a break from this virtual tour to do a real tour again after 3 years due to the COVID pandemic.

An artist, Al Garvey designed and made a redwood hot tub outside their home in 1966.  He and his wife, Barbara, started inviting guests to join them as they soaked in the hot water. Al and Barbara are know for other things and you may wish to explore for yourself. We owned a hot tub for many years and entertained many visitors, but ours was not redwood.

Larkspur has a historic downtown and the theater is part of that.  Originally built in 1936 and renovated in 2004.  It is so good to see this happen.  A local theater in a town near me could not get interest from investors to preserve it and now it is rubble.  

Santa Cruz translates to Holy Cross.  The Spanish started their settlement here in 1791. It sits at the north end of the Monterey Bay.