Day #40 Highland, NY to Lakeville, CT 45.5 miles

Picture: Southern Tier 2010 reunion with Karen Carlson
L to R:  Pam, Mary D., Karen, Katie and Kirby

Best of Day: Crossed into Connecticut (feels like we are making progress!); Lovely motel/inn that looks/feels like New England; Karen Carlson met us for a visit and dinner tonight (she is one of our 2010 Southern Tier alum who lives in Connecticut!)
Worst of Day: Rained off and on; My first flat of the trip! (thank you Cathy, Pam, and Mary for being my village); Temperatures dropped to the 50’s!
Quote of Day:  “Southern Tier was magical” (while I was icing my knees.)  For some reason everyone thought it was funny (and suggested it should be the quote today) – I was actually only responding to the “cross country” image/myth that seems to be so compelling!!??

Day #39 Matamoras, PA to Highland, NY 58 miles

On the walkway above the Hudson River (between Highland NY and Poughkeepsie, NY)
L to R:  Kathy Q., Mary D., Patricia (aka Katricia), Kathy “Canada,” Kirby, Katie & Pam

Best of Day: Great weather; Beautiful rolling hills (after the steep ones the first 20 miles!); Meeting up with the mid-Hudson Bike Club who were biking and stopped to visit.  They told us where to eat lunch in New Paltz.
Worst of Day: Lost our reservations in New Paltz and were moved on to Highland, NY where we are in 2 different-hotels (another adventure!)
Quote of Day:  “Oh, you are staying at the hotel that has been re-branded.  They have a new sign!”  (Gentleman who told us how to get to the walkway at the Hudson River and was asking about the ride!)  

Day #37 Easton, PA to Matamoras, PA 75.04 miles

At about mile 30.6,while biking in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, we crossed the Appalachian Trail.

Best of Day: Crossingthe Delaware River 4 different times; crossing the Appalachian Trail; Finding the best Greek and Italian food in small town, Layton, NJ.
Worst of Day: Hilly and Hot!
Quote of Day:  “That is really an amazing old tree (stopping for a picture).”  Response: “And this is an amazingly long day!”  (Our biking team having a typical conversation!)

Day #37 New Hope, PA to Easton, PA 38.5 miles

The picture Martin took!
L to R:  Patricia M. Kirby, Mary D., Cathy M., Kathy "Canada," Katie and Kathy Q.

We crossed the Delaware River in New Hope, PA over to Lambertville, New Jersey, and rode along the river on the New Jersey side, up to Easton, PA

Best of Day: A very wonderful and “against all odds” story. 
We wanted a group picture under the “Welcome to New Jersey” sign. Kathy Q gave her camera to the next person we saw walking toward us on the street, and asked if he would take our picture.  When he held the camera up to take the picture he lowered it and said, “Kirby???” Kirby said “Martin???”
Turns out he is a close business associate/friend who is meeting her husband in Italy tomorrow for a 10th anniversary celebration of mutual friends! He lives on the Jersey Shore and comes to Lambertville once every two months for a meeting.  He’s usually late, but today was early.  He usually takes another street but today needed to go to the post office!  
Worst of Day: A few 12%grade hills!
Quote of Day:  When we found Martin (or Martin found us) he said to Kirby, “When I die from eating too many doughnuts, you will bike to my funeral!”

Day #36 Phoenixville, PA to New Hope, PA 47 miles

Bud arrives in New Hope (on his way to D.C. for 50th college reunion!)  
Picture taken in front of a grand piano keyboard that was used for a Mantovani album (Pineapple Hill Inn B & B.)

Best of Day: Bud arrived (of course!)
Worst of Day: Lots ofhills and a few mistakes on cue sheet!
Quote of Day: “No!! You’re going where and you’re how old??!!” (Owner of our B&B)

Day #35 Phoenixville, PA No miles (“Off the bikes” day)

Now this is the way to spend a recovery day!
L to R: Kirby, Patricia, Kathy “Canada” and Susan R.

 

Best of Day: Starbucks within walking distance and hard copy of NYT!

Worst of Day: Not long enough!

Quote of Day: “Really, tell us where you women are really going?!”  (Hotel guests at breakfast).

Day #34 Denver, PA to Phoenixville, PA 48.1 miles

Lunch on the terrace of “The Inn” St. Peters, PA (the only open restaurant on the route!)

Front Table, L to R:  Kathy “Canada,” Kirby, Katie, Patricia and Kathy Q.  Back Table, L to R:  Susan, Gail, Dolly, Marilyn and Janet

 

Best of Day: Beautiful weather, more rolling hills, short mileage day!

Worst of Day: Twists and turns on cue sheet and some riders were backtracking.

Quote of Day: “I never heard of Bob Evans, I had to ask someone outside the building if it was a restaurant?!  (Cyclist on our tour who lives in California)