Month: April 2024

This morning I wake up to the smell of coffee brewing. This gets me out of bed and I follow the aroma down the stairs. Scrambled eggs with sausage, toast and the coffee that I followed to the table. I thought I was done but before I could get out of my chair a slice of last night’s apple cake was placed in front of me.

Paul presents a different route that will get me to Gettysburg and offers to ride with me to Route 30. It is raining as we set off.

Last night my hosts were Paul and Jane. They have done many tours. We sat up late telling tales of touring. Jane makes very nice quilts and is a master at sewing. Jim’s interests are much like mine, riding his bicycle and riding some more.

Today’s ride.

I am now in Gettysburg and checked into a motel next to the Diorama and local Brewery where I have a nice meal and brew.

Time now to relax and get ready for tomorrow.

After a wonderful visit and sleep I am awake, ready, and anxious to start traveling west. Paul and Wendy, both chefs, have prepared a delicious breakfast of yogurt, fruit, and granola. The dessert is coffee and apricot bread.

I load my bike, saddle up, and ride through the small roads between pockets of houses back to my route that crosses above the Susquehanna River. I am now in farmland riding the rolling hills to York. I have a place to stay tonight with Warmshowers hosts Paul and Jane.

I ride past a Medical Center as a Life Flight helicopter is landing.

I am relaxing and sharing stories. I really enjoy learning other travelers’ tales. Jane is a seamstress and Quilter. Paul, like me, rides his bike most every day.

Tomorrow is another day of unknown discoveries.

Last night was my last night with Erin and CK. It is raining, a heavy downpour, with some flooding on the roads. CK comes home from the University around 11:30 to bring me to my Warmshowers host in Lancaster, PA. We have a quick snack and load my bike and gear into the van and off we go.

It is a thirty-five mile drive with a stop for lunch at a great diner in Conestoga, PA. This is a diner CK found while riding a local century a number of years ago.

After eating with a half an hour to spare we drive to 365 Cycles to see the place where I buy components for my bikes.

We arrive at my hosts at 4 with Paul was waiting to greet us. We unload all my gear and say our sad goodbyes. Hours before Erin and I did the same. This is the saddest part of touring, leaving friends and family behind. It will be two months and thirteen days before I will be with Nancy again.

I am now in the good company of Paul and Wendy. The evening went by quickly with a wonderful dinner and conversation. I am now in my space settling in for the night.

Tomorrow morning I will set off for York, PA. Tomorrow morning is one day closer to being with Nancy again.