I'm off!!!!!!!

Farewell friends and family!
I leave tomorrow real early. Yes, really this time.
I will miss you all!!!! Goodbye Sebastopol! Goodbye Davis
Hello Hwy 1 & Arcata, CA!

I had a few delays and learned a lot before even leaving . . .

I sprained my wrist (still a little bit touchy), got three fillings, and learned how much stuff really weighs.

Last night I stuffed my bicycle with everything I was planning on taking. It all barely fit on! I could hardly lift my bicycle! Just by wiggling the front handlebars I could see the frame and racks flexing under load. And then I knew: I have way too much stuff!

This morning I unloaded everything and re-assess my needs vrs wants, nitpicking over every ounce..

I sacrificed my:
juggling balls :(
juggling clubs :(
backpacking stove / fuel :(
a lot of snack foods :(
my ground tarp :(
a few maps :(
my ultra bright "light & motion" light + battery + charger :(
and... i replaced my bulky red rain jacket with a sleaker red jacket I bought at REI today :)

Let's hope I didnt need that junk anyway.. . grr.. I want an xtracycle...

Still aboard the circus starship is...
clothes, food, water, camera, fire poi and fire clubs, harmonica, one hypnotic hovering hoop, a few bicycle tools, and my hat. Woohoo!!

The trip to Arcata is a windy, hilly, beautiful 260 mile journey. How many days will this take me? I'll post when I find out ;-)

I'll leave you with a bunch of pictures my buddy Misha took. We tried to simulate what the tour might be like. Let's hope it is really this glorious. P.S. my bike is actually a lot more packed than that. I'll take a picture tomorrow and upload them later :)

Ta ta!