Day 70 Morrisville, VT to Lancaster, NH

Day 70 Morrisville, VT to Lancaster, NH
September 13, 2009
66 Miles
3357 total miles

Left Morrisville in a drizzle, but not before another constitutional cup of coffee and in impossible to resist blueberry muffin, which consisted of at least as much blueberry as it did muffin! Route 15 going east was a steady climb up to and a little past Walden, afterwards a great descent on route 2 down into St. Johnsbury. I gathered some more provisions at the local health food store, and by this time the sun was peeking out from behind the clouds. Glimpses of the departing Green Mountains and the approaching White Mountains triggered many good memories of times spent in some of these mountains and a bit of nostalgia mixed with the excitement of the upcoming reunions with friends and family so near, and yet on the other side of the mountains. Another big climb and then another descent into the Connecticut River Valley on the Vermont side at the end of the day with radiant gold light playing across the pastures and corn fields and illuminating the valley and mountains on the east, New Hampshire, side.

My hosts in Lancaster for the evening were Carol and Dave Haas who were extremely easygoing and seasoned bike tourists in their own right. Dave is now retired and taking full advantage of the time afforded by his new situation--he recently completed a spring tour coming across the southern tier from Houston, to Mobile and then back up to New York and Vermont. Keep riding , Dave! We watched some baseball and Sunday night football together, but honestly I couldn't keep my eyes open, the day's ride had taken its toll on me, so I retired in the 3rd quarter!

Day 69 St. Albans to Morrisville, VT

Day 69 St. Albans to Morrisville, VT
September 12, 2009
39 Miles
3291 total miles

Left the wonderfully warm and hospitable home of Angela and Stephen Bernard and their two daughters, Lindsay and Molly who were bundles of energy and inquisitiveness. Stephen is a bike commuter extraordinaire, logging miles in every month of the year, riding the snowmobile trails of northern Vermont in the middle of the winter nights on his Surly Pugsley, monster snow bike with cartoon 26 rim/29 diameter tires!

Today's ride was mostly casual, apart from the increasing frequency and slope of the hills. I meandered along route 104 out of St. Albans and was pleased to find a smooth stretch of new pavement for almost 10 miles, which made rolling very enjoyable. Spent some time at the waterfalls at Fairfax Falls on the Lamoille river and continued on to the villages of Jeffersonsville, Cambridge, Johnson on my way to Morrisville, where I was met at the edge of town on bike by my next hosts, Marci Young and Zachary, who escorted me the rest of the way to their home. We spent a delightful evening at Morrisville's civic happening place, The Bee's Knees, an establishment where all ages meet to partake of organic dining, good beer, wine , coffee and live entertainment. We ended the evening meeting some of Marci's friends and singing and dancing along with the guitar and piano. Thanks for a great evening!