Hives, Herbs, Super Moons and Big Sur to Santa Barbara

So my little bump in the road turned into big bumps, called hives, all over my body. I wrote our last blog post with promises to ride out the next day and woke up to really bad hives all over my (K.G.'s) legs. If you missed our last few posts, I ate some dates (we now think they had mold or a fungus that I reacted to, since I had been eating dates the entire journey) and not heeding my body's warning of tingling lips after the first morning, ate them 3 mornings in a row. The following day I blew up like a balloon complete with patches of hives all over my face and legs. After a stint in the ER in Fort Bragg, I got some 'roids and EpiPens to keep me on our way. Of course the 'roids ran out after 6 days, when we hit Santa Cruz, and then when the Prednisone (which made me feel like a rockstar when I was taking it) was out of my system and no longer masking the problem, hives just took over and I was unable to get out of bed. Not wanting to just get on more steroids, I opted to let the "bad dates" just work their way out of my system, but as each day got worse, I called my acupuncturist in Bend who sent me to one of the best doctors I have ever been to in Santa Cruz, Kim Kuhn. (www.kimberlykuhnlac.com) Kim, your a miracle worker!!

I was SO miserable and she squeezed me in, explained that it would take 4-6 weeks to get the toxin out of my system, but put in needles (acupuncture) and sent me home with herbs to take 3 times a day until things were improving. The needles finally relieved some of the burning fire all over my skin (which had by now spread all over my body), and by the following day things had started improving. I was also put on a special bland diet to help not add fuel to the "fire" and after a couple days felt well enough to get back on our bikes to head south. (Ville used their wetsuit and surfboard to surf all the days I was bedridden before you go feeling super sorry for him, and the waves were really good). Our good friend Hannah (we had been crashing at her place while she was away) came back and we spent our last day in town with Hannah and Amy (whom we met before our bike trip in Thailand) seeing the sights and getting to hang. Can't thank you all enough for letting us stay and helping us out while we were there Bill, Kizzy, Hannah and Amy!!!! And Hannah, your gonna kick some serious ass with your surgery, recovery and meet us (us, Amy, JLo, and ???) to celebrate becoming the biggest baddest banshees at the end of this journey in Tierra Del Fuego. See you there!!

Heading south we passed through Monterey and down the coast of Big Sur for the next 3 days, which we had been dreaming about since beginning this epic journey. And it did not disappoint! Weather was fantastic, views were surreal, and we got to enjoy the Super Moon lighting up our night sky and then setting over the crashing waves in the early mornings. The last night camping at Kirk Creek Campground we met Richard and Helena who shared their dinner with us and were so excited to hear about our trip. We are planning a visit in Pasadena on our way south. And day 4 we arrived in San Louis Obispo where my Aunt Annette and Uncle Scott live. On our spin around the downtown, the local LuLuLemon store gifted Ville and I with a free pair of snazzy shorts to support our ride! Thanks LuLuLemon! And thanks Annette and Scott for hosting and spoiling us on our way through. Scott, your a rockstar and we will be sending you good healing energy for a very speedy recovery!!

Since the camping spots have become more challenging as we head south, my Uncle called ahead and the following night we spent at the Los Alamos Fire Station with Justin, Mark, and Alex. We planned to camp in the yard, but the boys let us stay in the gym and even bought us a burrito dinner with leftover birthday cake for dessert. Thanks a ton guys!! With tailwinds at our back, we flew on to Santa Barbara and made 60 miles by noon. The sun has been shining on us the whole way and we crashed at my cousin, Chelsea's place last night and enjoyed a day off today resting and catching up. Next stop, Malibu and on to LA and OC. Who is en route and needs their dose of Ville and K.G.???