Trans America Cycling Day 2 - Alpine, CA to Jacumba Hot Springs

The link to today's route and statistics is found here.

As we climb 3,000 ft heading to Pine Valley, life can be viewed from a different perspective. Very seldom we look from the top on down as is depicted in this photo. 

Ground up
A wonderful shade was awaiting for us at the Community Park thanks to the beautiful Live Oak Tree.  These trees grow at higher elevation and were plentiful along the route today.  These live oaks are very different from live oaks that we will see later in the southeast.

Enjoying shade under Live Oak Tree
Live Oak acorns

Our Trans America Tour journey was taken to the next level—climbing 5,000 ft. However, for some of us, we surpassed the end of the day climbing total, as it happened to Jim and Goofy/Roberto, they past our overnight hotel by 5.4 miles. I guess the excitement of enjoying a downhill ride, we lost notion the size of the town—a convenience store, gift/restaurant shops, the hotel, a community park, and an airport with two gliders on the ground. All these views in less than ½ mile. Noteworthy, we all made it safely to our overnight destination, the Jacumba Hot Spring Spa & Resort.
Jacumba Hot Spring Spa behind Kip

Jacumba Hot Springs

Some of the highlights included, an encounter with a friendly Border Patrol agent from the San Diego Sector who was conducting official duties along the route. I have a great deal of respect, because they put their lives at risk daily maintaining our borders secure--they are subject of attacks by drug and human criminal organizations operating along the Southwest Border. He was very happy to take a picture with Goofy, Roberto. This is very typical of them as they are always willing to assist in any situation as part of their duties. I have firsthand experience because I worked with them supporting law enforcement operations against criminal organizations operating along the SW Border.

Roberto meets Border Patrol agents

Another highlight was to see very closely the Southwest Border fence/wall on the journey. Looking at the fence, it provides a sense of security and peace. The fence/barrier is built between ports of entries to deny free crossing access to individuals coming from Mexico. The Homeland Security, Border and Customs Protection, Border Patrol is responsible for all activities between ports of entries. During our tour as we journey through El Paso, TX, we will show a picture of the Ciudad Juarez and El Paso Port of Entry.

Border fence


Let’s get ready for Day 3…more to come!  

Roberto from Florida provided copious input.


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