Original Glory

Some colleagues from the UK are in town, so I took them mountain biking on the Paseo Miramar/Topanga Loop this weekend. I've never been to this area before, but was quite impressed. So close to Los Angeles, but it seemed worlds away. Unfortunately the review is correct in the section about "Aerobic difficulty: Very difficult; one of the most grueling climbs in the Santa Monicas" and the guys seemed to still have a bit of jet lag. We made it, though, and ended with a nice meal at a posh LA-style cafe (complete with a woman eating with a little dog in her lap, all done up with pink and silver bows.)
I did learn some interesting things from a bit of political discussion the guys had with a couple we met at a rest stop, I'll call it the Pacific Palisades Perspective:

• Our country is in grave danger
• Abortion will become Illegal
• All the nice Islamic countries won't be our friends any more
• Our freedoms will be taken away
• The clock will be turned back on civil rights and equalities
• The draft will be reinstated
• The environment will be neglected (they'll probably close our trail!)

"Can you believe there are actually people who think differently? That crazy religious right...born again..."

"How could you let your beliefs influence how you lead the country? I mean, Kerry's a Catholic, but he doesn't make his decisions based on that..."

I had no idea we were in such danger.