Day 4--Home again

Home, one way or another, we're back. Today started well. We were out of the Travelodge with our panniers full of continental breakfast goodies. We even made it out of the hotel before 8:30 am. Things were rolling along smoothly until I noticed that the directions I had gotten for our route back to Sacramento had a confusion section. Looking up on Google and my iPhone maps, I still couldn't figure out which tiny farm routes were going to get us to the other side of the river and connect to the Garden Highway. Eventually, I realized I wasn't getting anywhere so I got my parents involved. We were all at a loss, myself literally. Big Brother and I went back and forth, around and around. I was getting more and more rattled and my Mundo was making some interesting noises. The brakes had been rubbing a bit, the fork was squeaking, and now there was a weird whooshing sound occasionally. The only way we could figure out my route was to get me over Highway 99. Three of the roads that my maps said went through dead-ended instead. The road I finally settled on ran out of pavement. Then, I realized the wooshing noise was my rear tire. It was a slow leak in my incredibly thick tube, very slow but it was there. It was that moment that I decided our trip was over. Calling my dad was so disappointing but right after I hung up, the exhaustion set in. 

We would have had about 45 miles more to go. As bummed as I am that we didn't get to "complete" our trip, I learned so much. This trip was our very first. It was amazing! Big Brother stayed happy and engaged the entire time. We saw wonderful animals, met new friends, and found out that this kind of trip is totally possible. I can't wait for our next adventure!!! 

My melt-down time, his dino fight time.

Yep, I did attempt to take home this little free bike. Common sense finally got the best of me.

The warning signs were clear.

This is where our bike trip ended.

Even a Mundo needs a life sometimes.

Happy no matter where we are!

The only bikers I saw on this whole trip! Go, go, go!

Our trip was 213 miles total, four days of pedaling, hours and hours of a jabbering 4-year-old--it was heaven. If there was a way to get paid doing this, I'd do it forever. It was hard but it was fun. Now that we have our first Mama-Big Brother biking trip down, we'll be so ready for our next one. 

* I learned that 75 miles is too many, 40-60 is perfect. 

* Leaving "on-time" will NEVER happen. 

* We packed way too many clothes and too many toys. 

* ALWAYS carry an up-to-date paper map and plan our route beforehand. 

* I need a better handlebar bag and I'm not sure how well the Baguettes will last in the long run with BB's feet smooshing them all day long. . 

* The spandex may have done more damage than not. 

* Warmshowers hosts are way better than motels. 

* As long as the little guy was fed and entertained, we could keep riding forever. 

* A little fussing is fine, it happens when we're off the bike, too. 

* Rest days are necessary. Playgrounds are a must. Ice cream will solve ANYTHING. 

* The Mundo fits beautifully on a Prius, when necessary.

* Big Brother is amazing!