TRENTE HUIT HEURES / LE SAC.

Last night's slumber was considerably choppy. There is a vague recollection of waking up at points during the night. Darkness consumed the cart. The sound of strangers snoring surrounded me. I simply readjusted my positioning and returned to dreamland. This time I awoke to a state I had never encountered before, Nevada. There were sandy deserts, rugged grassy valleys, and a decent amount of mountains. It was quite similar to the topography of Utah.

Nevertheless, the sightseeing was seriously salacious. It was remarkably noticeable when we arrived in California. Pine trees as far as the eyes can see. It was nice to be submerged in forestry once again. Something was calming about it. Unfortunately, I have not seen much wildlife, but I assume they are smart enough to keep their distance from the tracks. It is truly fascinating to see the progression of landscapes from Iowa to California. From fertile farmlands to fine forests filled with foliage. Let us not exclude the dry dusty deserts or the mighty mountain tops.

Now I have a full comprehension of how vast this country is. My perspective will drastically change after biking across this legendary landscape. Thirty-eight straight hours have been spent on this terrific train. If you spend thirty-eight consecutive hours in any single place, you will surely be sick of it. Occasionally, there was enough time to step off at the stations. Believe it or not, Amtrak tries to run a tight schedule. Regardless, I was ready to get off for longer than five minutes. 

Finally, we began our descent into Sacramento. Homelessness must plague this cool California city because the highway underpasses were littered with tents, garbage, and homeless people. I questioned society when I saw the homeless camps under the highway and a luxurious golf course not 800 meters away. Quite the juxtaposition, if I do say so myself. Regardless, we chugged on by and arrived at Sacramento Valley Station. At this point, I was missing my bike dearly. Apparently, my bike was supposed to remain in storage until my arrival in Seattle. This trip has presented many obstacles, and this was just yet another. After a brief smooth-talking, if you will, I retrieved my bike. 

Ecstatically, I began my adventure into this unknown city. The weather was warm, the trees were tall, the people were tanned, the town was bike-friendly, it was heavenly. I saw a patio with bikes resting along the rails, my people called to me. Quickly, I pulled over and found myself at Capital Hop Shop. All I ate today was eight or so slices of sausage and a coffee. Needless to say, I was starving. A hummus plate, side of fries, and two IPAs were consumed.

My next destination was the best coffee shop in town, Old Soul. After much research, I deem that this is one of the top cafes in Sacramento. The cafe was quaint, and there was a brewery attached that I would have to try another time. The espresso was sufficient, a little bitter, and not much crema. Will I ever find a better espresso than Crepe Du Luxe? The search continues, but my hopes are slowly dwindling. Seattle is my next destination, they are notorious for their coffee. I have searched here before, but to no avail, perhaps a second try will be fruitful. After the coffee, I felt energized and biked all over downtown Sacramento. You truly can determine the feel of a city while navigating the streets on a stirring Saturday evening. This city is diverse, hip, and beyond beautiful.