We are supposed to ride in on the 20th, but I have to say we might be bustling along to get out of this chilliness! This morning was frigid. It's pretty hard to slow down when the weather is starting to turn the way it is.
We really only have 10 riding days left. I can't believe that. We're at 3,500 miles now. Just 200 left and this whole entire journey is over. Man oh man.
Walter took over so my hands could thaw out. We were on back roads for most of the ride today so Walter and I just walked a lot of the mileage side by side. (I was in the truck whenever possible)
We left Southside Farms this morning after being surrounded by some of the cutest animals I've ever seen. Mini cows, mini horses, mini puppies, mini everything. The owner of the farm is a very busy man and also owns a restaurant. We never actually never got to meet Frank, but we are hoping to stop in at his restaurant in a day or two as we ride closer to it.
We took a rest day at the farm but we were gone most of the day doing internet stuff. When we came back there was food up in our room for us from the restaurant. On the first night Frank had left a candle, a bottle of wine, and a full dinner with appetizer and dessert! All of this without a chance to at the very least even shake his hand. He was like the food fairy that came while we were away.
Speaking of food, we had a nice lunch today on the side of the road. Tea tastes amazing when it's cold and so does a grilled peanut butter and jelly. I don't remember when we first had the idea to grill our peanut butter and jelly, but when you eat it as much as we do you think of different things to do with it. It is so incredibly delicious grilled in olive oil! We are into our third jar of homemade jam that we got from Vicki Durham back in Ava, Missouri. It's Apple Jam. Now, I don't like apple sauce so I was leery, but it's incredible and very fall tasting. And we had the Vanilla Almond tea that Donna back in West Virginia gave to us.
Really, it's good.
We are now in Cobleskill, NY. Sojourner is down the road at the SUNY Equestrian Center and we have been put up the Best Western. Oh what a treat.
Therese, who is the Director of the Equestrian Center, set this all up for us and also invited us out to a dinner at the school where the Culinary Arts Students would be preparing and serving a meal. Another treat.
I was walking arm and arm with Walter heading to the truck after dinner and I looked up at the dorm rooms. It brought back this wave of memories. It was cold and dark just like winters at Plymouth. I met Walter as a freshman at Plymouth State University. It felt like we were back at college walking home to probably go...oh, I don't know...run barefoot to the bank in the snow just for fun or jump off the roof into the snow, or sit on the floor of my room and talk and laugh and talk and laugh for hours...and here we are 11 years later.
Tomorrow we ride to Amsterdam. It's a nice 20 mile ride that is going to be on mostly back roads. If we do ride to Danlin Hollow earlier than the 20th, I'll post it here and let you all know where we are. We are still riding into Bath on the 20th though to meet with family and friends at the Hibbard House and officially end this big ol' trek.
We took a rest day at the farm but we were gone most of the day doing internet stuff. When we came back there was food up in our room for us from the restaurant. On the first night Frank had left a candle, a bottle of wine, and a full dinner with appetizer and dessert! All of this without a chance to at the very least even shake his hand. He was like the food fairy that came while we were away.
Speaking of food, we had a nice lunch today on the side of the road. Tea tastes amazing when it's cold and so does a grilled peanut butter and jelly. I don't remember when we first had the idea to grill our peanut butter and jelly, but when you eat it as much as we do you think of different things to do with it. It is so incredibly delicious grilled in olive oil! We are into our third jar of homemade jam that we got from Vicki Durham back in Ava, Missouri. It's Apple Jam. Now, I don't like apple sauce so I was leery, but it's incredible and very fall tasting. And we had the Vanilla Almond tea that Donna back in West Virginia gave to us.
Really, it's good.
We are now in Cobleskill, NY. Sojourner is down the road at the SUNY Equestrian Center and we have been put up the Best Western. Oh what a treat.Therese, who is the Director of the Equestrian Center, set this all up for us and also invited us out to a dinner at the school where the Culinary Arts Students would be preparing and serving a meal. Another treat.
I was walking arm and arm with Walter heading to the truck after dinner and I looked up at the dorm rooms. It brought back this wave of memories. It was cold and dark just like winters at Plymouth. I met Walter as a freshman at Plymouth State University. It felt like we were back at college walking home to probably go...oh, I don't know...run barefoot to the bank in the snow just for fun or jump off the roof into the snow, or sit on the floor of my room and talk and laugh and talk and laugh for hours...and here we are 11 years later.
"A sign? Hey...hey dad...does it look like it's getting closer to us? I'm pretty sure it's getting closer. Um, I'm nervous."
Tomorrow we ride to Amsterdam. It's a nice 20 mile ride that is going to be on mostly back roads. If we do ride to Danlin Hollow earlier than the 20th, I'll post it here and let you all know where we are. We are still riding into Bath on the 20th though to meet with family and friends at the Hibbard House and officially end this big ol' trek.
Linny - I say get there as soon as you possibly can and are capable of doing. Everyone will understand - and what a great feat to come in ahead of schedule! Do what's best for the three of you.
ReplyDeleteRide! Ride! Ride! The celebration is for you, I have no doubt all would make the neccessary adjustments for your early arrival. This is so exciting!
ReplyDeleteHey Linny, while riding thru Amsterdam, see if you can spot Chris.... oh yeah, wrong continent, no ocean harbor or canals and there probably aren't many little Dutch houses, either. Oh well, soon enough, we'll all be there to cheer you on and celebrate this amazing, awesome, astonishing (triple AAA) adventure. It won't matter what day you cross the finish line, if our bodies aren't physically there, our hearts will certainly be. Get yourselves home!!!! I'm crossing off each day on the calendar and can't wait to see you all. I feel especially fortunate to have the opportunity to be there. I know everyone following this blog will be present in spirit. More exciting than the Giants winning the pennant and it took them 57 years!! Probably no colder there than Candlestick Park.
ReplyDeleteSee you soon.
Mendo Mama
Brrrrrr... ride on as fast and comfortably as you can to get home! Having some rest time before your welcome home celebration is probably the best thing for you three.
ReplyDeleteI feel so blessed to be here and have the chance to meet you as well as your family and friends whom I've met on this blog. I cant wait! See you all soon!
Hello Coast to Coast Travellers
ReplyDeleteFood for thought.. Take a peek at this website when you have a chance....it's about a man who walked coast to coast... His words on his front page are pretty accurate...and I hope this resonates with you has you ride into the home stretch...
http://imjustwalkin.com/
And heck yes! It just got really cold over night all over the place! Keep that teapot boilin!!!
did you stop by the missouri fox trotter horse headquarters in ava?? i missed that you went through there. you're amazing!
ReplyDeleteMan, it IS getting cold, as you said. I am at a bagel shop in Burlington as I write this. I am looking out a second floor window onto Church St where I see people flowing by below, all increasing their pace aas the wind blows against them. This old, oft painted window does not hold the cold wind back very well. I am getting just enough of it to know that I will have my hands thrust deep in my pockets when I go back out to get the bus and take the St J A kids back to school later. But, to be out there on a horse???? Ouch!
ReplyDelete