My kids will be happy to help us stay up all night -- never mind that it's a school night.
The offer is serious, but my house isn't especially huge and I don't have extra beds, unless I can convince the boys to double up. I do however, have a big comfy couch, a loveseat, and an air mattress (and could be persuaded to buy another if need be...future camping investment). So if that suits you, come a knockin'.
We DO have TWO new Starbucks locales in Atwater...one very close to my house....and my dog (Mayah) will be delighted to make some new friends. Warning: she thinks she's a lap dog (the catch is, she's really not).
I think a group of us "Merced cyclists" are already talking about going up the slopes of Mt. Ham to watch that day, but I'd sortof like to hang out at the start in Modesto, too. So I'm not sure how to work that one.
I'm so jazzed about the Modesto start that I actually spent most of the evening sitting here at the computer on Google Earth doing some virtual flying over the likely route. I figure it will be (from Mo-town): Crows Landing Road, W Main, E Las Palmas, maybe a short bit on Hwy 33, Sperry Rd, Del Puerto Canyon Rd, San Antonio Valley Rd to Mt. Hamilton.... (holy moly that descent will be wild!!).....then Mt. Hamilton Rd into the San Jose area. From there, I have noooo idea. All this speculative, of course, until the actual route is announced.
I'm also thinking of heading over to Seaside for Stage 4, as well. I didn't make it over there last year because of work obligations. Any excuse to go to the coast.
~Kim
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." --Albert Einstein