We spent the day in Mendocino.  Jeffrey met lots of nice Americans, just as we do on the open road.  I stayed in my plastic bag and met no one.

In order of height: Mira, Margot, Jeffrey, Bill

Margot and Bill admired our road machine.  They and Jeffrey have a lot in common: respect for immigrants, a hatred of injustice, and a family history of traffic violence.  Our fairing displays an 8” x 10” x-ray of Jeffrey’s left lower leg, broken into 5 pieces by a car driven by a texting speech pathologist.  Bill’s and Margot’s son was injured far more severely by a texting pizza deliverer.  Jeffrey belongs to the NYC organization, Families for Safe Streets.  His heart goes out to Margot and Bill and their son.

Jeffrey followed his dear Nancy and the wonderful Jennifer into downtown Mendocito, which is said to resemble a New English fishing village.

A London taxi as old as Jeffrey!

Atop the 1866 Masonic Hall, now the Savings Bank of Mendocino County, the hand-carved redwood Angel of Death braids the woman’s hair.

Cemeteries remind us of how silly are our squabbles, how petty it is to deny others the chance to be part of our American community.

Built in 1882.

It could be New England.

Outside a shoe shop, Jeffrey spoke about the Ride with curious passersby.  People spontaneously offered kind words for the project.  One woman said that in her California town, a volunteer group looks after all the needs of asylum applicants from south of the U.S. border.  Jeffrey praised her community and lamented that such volunteerism is necessary and that, nationwide, it doesn’t meet the need.  That’s why we support the Interfaith Welcome Coalition and Human Rights First.

Another passerby stopped to chat at length.

Vince is a recently retired doctor from Reading, Pennsylvania.

Vince treats medicine as a learned profession.  He and Jeffrey agreed about the effect of the profit motive on medical care.  (Jeffrey doesn’t astonish easily, but Vince astonished Jeffrey with information on the cost of medical records software and equipment, and with the 7-minute limit imposed by a hospital on routine gynecological exams.)  They share views on the immigration system, on the importance of counsel for asylum applicants, and on the unfortunate necessity for volunteers to provide humane treatment to families released from immigration detention.  Vince is a cyclist; he’s biked in Vermont, which in parts is similar to this area of California.  No wonder Jeffrey thinks he’s a good guy.  He will follow the Ride.

After crusing the town, Jeffrey followed Nancy and Jennifer onto a path along the Big [sic] River.

The Sprint 26 tires are less suited to gravel than the others’ rented mountain bikes . . .

. . . so after 1/4 mile or so, when the gravel coarsened, Jeffrey asked the others to go on ahead while he watched the river flow.

Note the kayakers.

Greg and Sara happened by.

L to R: Greg, a landscaper, and Sara, a realtor. Jeffrey looked around theatrically and complimented them on their fine work.

Jeffrey explained the difference in how the U.S. treats indigent petty criminals (counsel provided) and destitute asylum seekers (they’re on their own).  Kind and thoughtful, Greg and Sara don’t like this.  Would that our government reflected the good hearts of our people.

Thus passed a pleasant day away from heavy motor traffic.

Tonight the rain begins.