Sent: 24 August 2006

Yesterday, Wed 23 August 2006, our weary gang reached San Francisco and found the Zen Center which ended our journey. Just like Pirsig, we'd suffered the freezing fogs of the coastal Northern California. It seems that the high inland temperatures suck the cold fog banks onto the land. It was strange leaving the higher Idaho with temperatures in the high 90's and going down to sea level on the same day to temps under 50. We rode along the coast through the giant Redwood trees for most of the way down to SF but went inland for warmth and sunshine. At a small gas station/coffee stop, the lady attendant said we'd ride out into the sunshine in 20 miles. She was exactly right.

The Golden Gate bridge was amazing ride over and the Zen Centre was really friendly and we hope to go back before we go. Chris Pirsig's ashes are with them. He was shot only 2 blocks away. This was a good final destination as it had a really nice restful ambiance about it and the people we met were all so serene and helpful etc. We had a cup of tea and a good break there before heading out of the city.

I'll write more as a dispatch and get some photos off in the next day or so. Now my next task is to check the eBay auction of the Honda then it is off to find a crate for the BMW and locate a shipping agent.

Des, in Redwood City near San Francisco