Halfway to the coast

Sorry for not posting yesterday. I like to share happy things with you guys, so I put it off. But now I have happy news! You'll have to wait for the end though.

Sunday, June 8 (Day 23)

Distance: 95 miles

Average speed: ?

Max: ? 

Total: 1432 miles

Weather: sunny and warm

(I accidentally reset the counters in a mosquito craze)

I started out the day wonderfully, packing up peacefully and even walking down to sit by the lake with Vicky, Craig (Red), and their sweet dog Mia. Craig and Vicky are very interesting people. Craig told me that he had lived in a tent for a year while he was building a house, where he lived for five years without electricity, and how much that made him appreciate it. Vicky said she has always been a gypsy at heart, and both left me with hugs and a lot to think about. 

The neighbors on the other side of them, Ray and Brenda Smith, had come over the night before to talk and were very nice as well. They gave me tons of food to take with me! Grapes, string cheese, a fruit cup, a box of cookies and a box of crackers (not pictured). I, being a queen if forgetting to ask for contact information, neglected to do so once again with Ray and Brenda. And let that be my lesson to never do it again!

I was sad to leave such excellent company, although I was in great spirits. I felt like I had connected very well with Vicky and Craig. I had a lovely morning ride, sunny with hilly forest, and am slowly beginning to figure out how to do everything without stopping my bike (which spares me from the Mosquitos), including eating.

Although I have yet to figure out how to save turtles without stopping. I'll spare you the mental images I have of poor turtles who didn't make it across the road...

I always appreciate a witty church board (although probably not in the way they intended).

I crashed from my happy high around lunchtime, when I remembered that most people seem to see me as some sort of vagabond urchin, especially in a touristy town and when I ask for ice cream before my meal (it tastes better when you're hungry!).

I had miscalculated my plan and had to go 15 miles more than I expected, arriving at my campground just before dark. I paid full price and was very disappointed by the run-down, empty RV's surrounding me and the dirty, soap-less bathroom. I didn't take any pictures because I didn't want to remember.

I crawled into my tent accompanied by hoards of Mosquitos. I was unhappy, tired (I hadn't really been able to sleep the night before), and sore and wishing I could once again be in great company. I went to sleep right away without eating or posting an update or planning for the next day, and fell asleep once again wishing the poisonous wish that I could be at home.

Monday, June 9 (Day 24)

Distance: 73 miles

Average: 20.7 mph

Max: 28.7 mph

Total: 1505 miles!

Weather: overcast, a few small showers, transitioning into late afternoon sunshine

I started slowly, wishing I didn't have to leave my tent. The Mosquitos sound like rain when they land on my tent and were once again hoarding around it by the time  I was able to get myself up. I packed in a frenzy and was happy to be on my bike, mostly safe from the bloodsucking mongrels. I have been told many times now that they are especially bad this year due to the huge amount of snow melting and leaving puddles everywhere. 

I consoled myself with a breakfast of cookies, courtesy of Ray and Brenda.

I stopped to buy a muffin and was met with a huge temptation: bug spray. I gave in.

There was lots of national forest and protected land, I think because it's swampy so no one wants it. The roads I have been taking aren't trafficked much, but they are very bumpy.

It threatened to rain most of the day but only sprinkled a little. There were elk around, but I didn't see any.

Can you see the horses' tails flying around? They've got the mosquito frenzy too.

I get more people waving at me in Wisconsin than I ever have! Can't get any pictures of that though.

I saw a farm for the first time in a while today. The land is starting to get more flat and I'm beginning to see more farm land (not just animals). I've also started to see cranberry bogs for the first time.

I had called ahead and was looking forward to be staying at what I expected to be a clean city campground at the rate of $10 (what a steal!). I've found city campgrounds to be the best, so I go out of my way to stay at them, although today that meant 90 miles and another just-before-dark day. 

I still had 20 miles to go when a car pulled over and a woman came out, waving me over. She asked me if I had far to go, and invited me home with her. She and her husband were on their way to dinner, so we his my bike in the bushes and I went along with them. I was in absolute shock! 

Jody and Dick are two more incredibly nice people. Jody has done some supported touring in the Czech Republic, Italy, France, and the US. Dick also coincidentally went to Cornell and also studied engineering! We got along over stories of grading curves and prelims.

We went back to my bike after dinner and Dick patiently led me 3.5 miles to their house. Jody and Dick have a guest house, which they are letting me stay in, and a beautiful view over a lake. Jody helped me wash my clothes, left me with a hug and told me to make myself at home and sleep in, because she likes when people sleep. I had a lovely bath (and read a book! Imagine!). Now I'm clean, happy, and mosquito free. 

Tomorrow I've decided to take another day off. I've started some issues with my rear gears and couldn't shift at all today, which is why I was so happy to encounter flatter ground. Dick and Judy are going to drive me and my bike to a bike shop in their truck tomorrow. 

What a day! I can't believe it. I never know what to expect each day, sometimes it leaves me in tears and sometimes it leaves me feeling like the world is a pretty fantastic place.