Well the journey got off to an official start at exactly 10:19 this morning. What a day! 500 kms of fog, Irish mist, sunshine and absolutely fabulous roads. There is something to be said about the pride Americans exhibit in their homes, community and of course their protectors! Flags, in anticipation of the Independence Day celebrations, line the streets and hang from just about every home. Even the graveyards are filled with fresh flowers and flags in honor of those who have passed.
Then there are the weird and wacky......like the gas station canopy with signage which announces in large letters that "Feed and Grain" are available for sale at this convenience store as are "Pizza and Sandwiches" which are displayed in smaller letters below it! Farmers know what came first and it was the chicken! Then there was the house with large windows facing the road. Standing in these windows were numerous tall dolls (as kids we called them walking dolls)....all lined up against the window, elbow to elbow, looking out, staring, blankly....yup they were just that creepy!
Then there are the roads. The greatest form of civic pride....I would be love to have these roads back home! WOW. These were some of the nicest roads I have ever ridden. Beautiful sweeping turns, crests with fabulous views for miles, no traffic, and no potholes! The best part was traveling through roads that wind along the rivers with huge canopies of trees that feel like riding through a forest tunnel and taking in the fragrances of roses and fresh hay and sometimes the not so fresh.
It has been a great day. We have travelled further than we anticipated with only a few stops including lunch at our favorite spot in Amherst (rustic little spot with home cooking).
While we have travelled most of the trip on familiar roads, we are re-acquainted in a new way and enjoying a facet of those roads we had not known or discovered.
Tomorrow looks to be a beautiful day and we intend to start it with a ride up Mount Washington...... I hope they have a small enough bumper sticker for my bike!
Until tomorrow, love to all! To Leigh and Bailey.....you are both here with us in thought and spirit. You would have loved the dolls.....NOT! Love you both..xoxo
