California: San Clemente – Solona Beach

Despite the heat, charming small seaside towns, bike paths on the beach and a ride through the Marine Corps base of Camp Pendleton, the main memory of the day was witnessing a hit-and-run car accident. Stopping to take a photo of the entrance to the town of Encinitas, we suddenly heard a dull thud. Spinning around, I saw a woman crumple on a car bonnet before sliding to the ground. The shock made it appear in slow motion. A few moments later, panic erupted, with people running onto the road to offer assistance, stop the traffic and call for help. The car that had hit the two women, a mother and her daughter, lingered for a few moments before screeching off into the distance, a coward in burgundy. It was unclear what injuries were sustained.

 

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California: Huntingdon Beach – San Clemente

Today was the first day of overcast skies and hints of rain in California. The route was nevertheless still scenic as we left Los Angeles County and entered Orange County, passing through Laguna Beach and Dana Point. San Clemente, known as the ‘Spanish Village by the Sea’, had streets lined with Spanish style colonial architecture and a long pier where we went for dinner.

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