More kind hearted souls

Tuesday, May 20 (Day 4)

Distance: 38 miles
Average speed: 8.9 mph
Max: 18.9 mph
Total: 198 miles

This morning at 4, I was awoken by the rustling of a raccoon. I got up and scared him away many times and couldn't get back to sleep for the imaginings of hearing raccoons rummaging and pillaging my camp. Let's just say I'm not so sympathetic when I see road kill now...

Remi was ready to go half an hour before me, but waited and we rode the first three miles together before heading in different directions. He's headed to Seattle, but other places before and after then.

All morning I ran into construction, forcing me to re-route continuously until I finally made it back into the wonderfully simple Erie Canal! 

I rode for several hours before stopping for lunch, where I was greeted by the most friendly of people. There were a few people in the restaurant, and all were amazed by my ventures. 

They were really sweet, and one of them said he was proud of me. They kept saying how good it was to be young, how they wished they could go with me. 

Before I left, they insisted on photos and gave me food for the road. (Roast beef on ice and a bun!) It was incredibly touching! I keep thinking there's no way anyone will be generous the rest of the trip, and I am continuously amazed. 

I keep seeing couples of geese and their geeselings! They usually hiss at me.

I am spending the night with a wonderful couple named David and Kathy. I cannot believe their generosity, they are really too kind! They have done an incredible amount of touring and have been telling me many great stories (and feeding me delicious things-- I am definitely going to gain weight on tour!). 

I have been having quite a lot of trouble with my knees and can't yet decide what to do about it. I'd like to go on tomorrow because it's a pretty easy day on asphalt and no hills, but I wouldn't want my knee to give out and have to quit riding all together.

Great day! Can't wait for another one!