Bar Harbor Maine - I made it!! Whew!

I'll blog more in the next couple of days.  However I did want to report in that I made it!  I started in Fargo North Dakota 43 days ago and this afternoon I dipped my front tire in the Atlantic Ocean in Bar Harbor.

I made it!  Me raising my bicycle into the air on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in Bar Harbor Maine!

Lin & Jan are my bike & bakery buddies.  We pedaled alot of miles together.

                                                              Me, Lin, Jan, Patty & Sue.

I will blog & post numerous photos tomorrow.  Right now, I need to run as we are having a celebration dinner!  Thanks to you all for supporting and following along on my adventure.

Here's to the memory of my husband, Chris......

Skol...... He would be proud of me......

Middlebury VT to Lincoln NH & Bridgton Maine

Three states in three days.  Whew!!

There was a mountain pass into Lincoln NH that was six miles up.  When I was nearly to the top, an oncoming car rolled down his window and yelled "You go girl, you can do it, you can do it!!"  I needed that encouragement.  So, to that stranger I yell out a big thank you.

Once I was at the summit and riding down, I realized just how much it looked like home.  It looked like the Cascade Mountains.... where Chris & I have mountain biked and hiked....  I took a rest and hiked in just a bit to a nearby river.  The rocks were mossy, the ferns were there and it reminded me even more of my sweetie.  I took a moment and missed my Chris.....  I had a tearful time down the mountain.  Lincoln New Hampshire was a cute little mountain town.  I may need to return to see the fall foliage and/or ski it's slopes.

This morning our goal was Bridgton Maine which took us over the Kancamagus Pass up to the Pemigewasset Overlook.  12 miles up hill and 20 miles down the other side.

We were all nervous, but it went well.  I put my odometer on time only.  I gave myself two hours and I didn't want to dwell on mileage.  I was at the summit in 1:53.  Woo hoo.  Beautiful scenery uptop and down the other side. 

When we entered Maine and took a picture of the Maine sign, I was thinking how fortunate I've been not to have a flat tire on this entire ride.  Too soon to think that as "Woosh..." back tire flat.  Jan, Lin & I changed it out and in four more miles, "Woosh" again.  I have a slit in my actual tire, so Sara the SAG driver picked me up and later in the evening Patty, the Guide got me fixed up with two new tires.  I have nearly 3000 miles on these tires, so time for a tire rotation.....

I saw this on a posting on a church sign in Middlebury.  It spoke to me....

I had a chance to have dinner with my friend Eric and his mom Suzie.  Great to reconnect.

I was cautious.... but did not see a moose.

Doesn't New Hampshire look like the Cascade Mountains?

This is where I enjoyed and had my moment.... thinking of my sweetie, Chris....

Heading up the pass.... 12 miles ahead.  I did not collide with any moose.

Sue, our Chef just had to climb the pass.  Then, she headed right back down to get the van and continue her duties.

I made it up the pass 12 miles.  Woo Hoo!

Beautiful New Hampshire scenery.

More of it.

I walked down by the river.  There were many of these butterfly's.

Lin & I at the Maine state line.  Shortly thereafter, woosh, I had a flat tire....

Some of the girls, discussing if they should trade there bicycles in for a motorized tri cycle.... Well, maybe not.....

Tomorrow, I am supporting the gang as the support & gear (SAG) driver.  I am looking forward to this for a change.  We all miss our driver Karen who had to return home to be with her family after her dad passing.  Hey Karen.... this is for you. 

Thanks to all of my friends and family for supporting me in my journey cross country.  It has been enlightening......

Peace & Love to you all!

Schroom Lake NY to Middlebury VT 45 miles

I had a great ride from to Middlebury Vermont.  We biked to Fort Ticonderoga and took the little ferry across to Vermont.  It looked alot like the farms on Lopez Island.  My middle chain ring is on it's final breath.  I have one waiting for me at the bike shop in Middlebury.  I keep talking to my bike and telling it to just hang in there.  We had some rain and some terrible roads on this short ride, but made it in safely. 

We ate a lovely stew under the eaves of the hotel.  Our cook Sue even had horseradish sauce for us.  An alumnus rider came and brought us three local pies for dessert and a lovely Vermont sharp cheddar cheese which was yummy.  Thanks so much to our alumnus Pat White for the goodies and for making a donation to the Sequim Cancer Center in memory of my husband, Chris. 

I had a great day off in Middlebury.  I had breakfast with Sue, Sara and Karen.  It was a "Farewell" breakfast for Karen as she is leaving us early as her father has passed away.  I will miss her, but hope to see her this August when she's biking in Washington.

I got my laundry done, had a great cup of coffee.  Then, a group of us drove up to Waterbury, VT and toured the Ben & Jerry's Icecream Factory.  We got to sample the flavor "Late Night Snack" which had potatoe chips in it.  It was sweet & salty - yummy.  Then I had a scoop of Phish Food icecream.  It's chocolate based with pieces of cheesy gold fish.  Sounds wierd but was yummy.

When we returned, I went and saw a movie, "Midnight in Paris".  A little wierd Woody Allen movie, but good in it's own way.....

My flag photo of the day, Navy, USA & USMC.  Oohrah!

Lin & I at Fort Ticonderoga

On the tiny ferry taking us to Vermont.

Welcome to Vermont!

The ferry took us accross Lake Champlain. 

Beautiful farm land.

More beautiful farm land.

Another flag flying in the wind.

The wild flowers are beautiful.

Sue, me & Karen finishing breakfast.

Another Vermont farm on our drive up to Waterbury.

Myself & guide Patty.

"If it's not fun, why do it?" A quote at Ben & Jerry's.

Sue, Sara, Jeanette, Mary & Patty finishing up their icecream.

Enjoyed a nice dinner out.  Middlebury Vermont is a town and area I would visit again.  Vermont is called the "Green Mountain State" for a reason.  Beautiful and green.....

We all agreed that Middlebury Vermont was one of our nicest layover days.  A nice, unique town with lots to do.  Even the rain did not dampen our spirits!!

Old Forge NY to Schroon Lake NY

What a beautiful metric century ride (62 miles) today through the Adirondack Mountains.  We went by numerous lakes which make me want to come back and hike & camp in this area of our country.

Lots of rolling hills today with a few steep climbs and some big descents.  One descent was 1 1/2 miles long.  One of our group, Sara went 49 mph down this steep hill.  I went a braking, conservative 29 mph which was too fast for me.  Since my little bike accident, I am definately holding back....

At Seventh Lake in the Adirondack Mountains in New York.

One of the many beautiful lakes in the Adirondack Mountains.

At Pedals & Petals in Inlet NY (What a great business name)

Blue Mountain Lake in New York

Blue Mountain.... Hmmmm.... I am thinking of my bike buddy Lisa at home.  She made me ride the Blue Mountain hills in Port Angeles.  I should have rode them more! 

Final miles down into Schroon Lake NY

We may have been this season's first real folks staying here.  Locally owned by a family.  Rooms were clean and family was nice and the dogs entertained us all evening.

Dinner at the Blue Ridge Motel.  We were the only folks at this motel. 

Tomorrow is an easy day of 42 miles into Vermont.  We will be taking a ferry into Vermont and staying tomorrow and the next day in Middlebury VT.

Only 7 days left on my cross country adventure.

Sodus Point NY to Polaski NY 61 miles

Well in honor of Father's Day, I'd like to dedicate today's ride to my dad.  My dad did teach me by example that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.  With proper planning, the right people around you and through hard work and perseverance you can do anything.

So, I planned, I have the right people around me and I'm working hard each day..... pedaling one mile at a time.

I stayed with Jan & Lin most of the day.  We started at 850 ft above sea level and finished at about the same.  You would think that means riding flat terrain, but no.... rolling hills all day and the morning had some steep climbs.  Good Day!

Happy Father's Day Dad!

This Sodus Point Lighthouse was right next to our B & B.

The park near the lighthouse

Lake Ontario

After numerous steep climbs, I saw this sign.  I thought of going that direction!

Who would have known that we'd be passing by Mexico on our way to Maine.... but we did pass through Mexico, New York.

I saw numerous scarecrows in people's gardens.

Another sign of NY.  Not just a horse, but a person on a horse sign....

We must be climbing in elevation if we are seeing these signs.

My flag & barn picture for the day.

Another sign.  This one announcing that we are entering Amish countryside.

I think along this ride how many times I think about Chris.  Every time a jeep passes me.  Every time I see a butterfly.  Every time a bird flies in front of me.  Every time I pass a community cemetery with flags flying.  So many moments of each day......He is with me....