Day 5. Oceanside to Escondido – 23 miles

8/29/2014

trailI’m seeing the United States up close and personal. Last night we stayed in a rough part of Oceanside. What tipped me off was the Gentleman’s club a couple buildings down and the two crackheads fighting at midnight. My slumber was deep but the fracas still managed to arouse my consciousness. Earlier in the evening, we dined in the trailer on a feast of chipotle flavored rice and refried beans. Despite the trio of people, the boxes of books, and the stacks of stickers, the trailer felt spacious. The neighborhood didn’t frighten us, in fact it fueled our motivation for our work.

DestinationI woke up fresh yet again. Surprisingly my body felt no fatigue. Perhaps the regular massages, glucosamine tablets, protein intake, and proper rest served me well. The only bummer was that my stroller greeted me with a flat tire. Chuck refused to push as he felt he had suffered enough over the past couple days. He wanted to relax in the car with Crystal and my mom. That was fine with me. I had two hydration packs ready to go anyway.

ChuckSo far, the biggest enemy has been the high temperatures. Today was no different. I turned my attention eastward. The crashing waves and surf culture were replaced by mountains. Hills guarded every side of me. The run was pretty straight forward. I did have to check my directions often but there were no gaping canyons to impede my progress on this day. In fact the Inland Rail Trail was quite relaxing. It would have been better without the heat but it was a great run non the less.

SwingsMy favorite part of the day was arriving at the Regina Del Palazzo Bed and Breakfast. The house has been around for over 126 years and it is run by a friendly couple. Suzy and Don Maxwell greeted me with open arms as I ran up their steps. What I love about the bed and breakfast culture is the intimate settings. The potted plants gave the place lots of life and the Victorian furniture gives the historic house an extra charm. Of course my favorite part of staying anywhere is the Jacuzzi because the water therapy is what will allow me to complete my journey. I took a cold shower, and closed my eyes for a late afternoon nap. It was after the rejuvenating break that my mom, Crystal, and I jumped into the hot tub. We capped the evening off by attending the Escondido car show. It was only a few blocks away from our accommodations. Hotrods lined the streets and the sounds of throaty muscles cars permeated the air. People dining in the restaurants spilled out into the streets as bands played on the corner of every block. Lots of classic rock and plenty of country music filled the air. It was a great end to a good day.car

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