THE ATLANTIC OCEAN!
I had a pleasant evening with Davis and family. I spent most of the evening reading to his 4 year old daughter and then we helped each other remember the story of Cinderella, which I somehow - for awhile - confused with Beauty and the Beast. We sorted through it though.
Up early and on the road before 7 for the ride to Portland. My route took me by the Exeter School Boathouse. Here I had my first glimpse of saltwater from the Atlantic on a tidal estuary. This was unexpected but somehow fitting that it happened at a boathouse.
The ride was quite nice mostly on back roads and Rails to Trails. Eventually I came upon this sign. Enter the last state on this trip.
I picked up the Maine Eastern Bike Trail No. 1 at the state line and rode it all the way to Portland. Very nice. The ocean came closer and closer as the ride progressed.
Salt Marsh south of Portland
I stopped for lunch at a local market - lesson relearned from yesterday (eat & drink). As I was getting back on the path I noticed this road sign, which I thought appropriate.
Eventually I arrived in Portland about 3:30. I spent an hour visiting with my mom at New England Rehab where she is recovering from a broken hip sustained last week. Fortunately she had a life pendant, which summoned 911. She asked how I thought my rentry into “normal” life would be. That is a work in progress.
By the numbers:
Dist 76.8 miles
Elev Gain 2,958 ft
Elev Loss 2,984 ft
Moving Time 6:52
Total miles to date 3,874 miles
Est miles remaining. 73
Original predicted miles 3,765
So exciting! Enjoy the last few miles.
ReplyDeleteCool that your mom asked such an incisive question
ReplyDeleteWarren, While you are adjusting to "normal life" your readers will have to adjust to life without "RIDE WITH WA." Reading your blog is a much better way to start the day than reading the news! Thank you very much for taking us along with you. And please say hello to your family!
ReplyDeletePaul
We need to rename 30th Ave NE to "Warren's Way!"
ReplyDeleteWarren’s Way!!! Onward - two digits remain
ReplyDeleteXoxox. S
Quite the day! You have had great luck with bike trails. I'm glad you had one today. And glad you got away from the idiots with their sordid drug deals.
ReplyDeleteAlso glad you stopped for lunch. Nothing like a little energy in the early afternoon. And your first Atlantic salt water. When we saw our first view of the Pacific in Florence, OR, we declared ourselves done.
As for normal life, maybe you should take a few days off and head back the other way. Actually, we met one geezer on our trip, who decided it was more peaceful riding than being at home. He would finish one tour and just head off on another.
Maybe you could change the Warren's Way sign to be like the Wall Drug signs scattered around that say something like, "3,143 miles to Wall Drug." "3,765 miles to Warren's Garage".
73 miles to go. With your visits along the way, this should only take a week or two. Keep cruising.
Wat to get it done Warren!!
ReplyDelete