Today’s Highlights:
The heat and humidity broke today, and we had a very pleasant day to ride compare to last week. Four miles from the start we crossed the mighty Hudson River and continued across New York. After a short ride through Troy we got into the countryside again. We finished our traversal of New York State after thirty five miles and crossed into Vermont in the town of Bennington. By the end of the ride, we had reach eastern boarder of Vermont in Brattleboro.
The highlight of today was the hills. Mountains really. I enjoyed doing some real climbing again rather than just rolling hills. There was one eight mile climb, one three miler, and a bunch of other short, steep ones. The long descents were also fun and fast. The last several miles into Brattleboro were all downhill, so that was a great easy way to finish the seventy eight mile ride. Often, the road followed a river and there were nice views of sparkling mountain water running over rocky stream beds. There was also a nice view of the Harriman Reservoir. At the summit of Hogback Mountain we had a panoramic view across southern Vermont, into New Hamphsire to the east and down to Massachusetts to the south. It was a beautiful expanse of green forested mountains and hills.
The only significant towns we rode through today were Hoosic Falls in NY, and Bennington and Brattleboro in VT. Each had some New England charm and some uniquely Vermont character. And each was quite busy with shoppers at farmers markets and local shops on this Sunday.
Ken, Bud, Emma and I finished the day properly at an ice cream stand. We have two more days of living the good life.
Pictures Of The Day:
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Dear John
Congratulations. You did it. What an achievement. Those last photos are brilliant. We were so sorry to have missed the final entrance into to Portsmouth but your photos capture the moment beautifully. It was great to see Emma so happy. She has fulfilled a dream and surrounded by very good friends. She originally wanted to do the ride solo (i think more out of shyness than anything else) but I refused to let her do that!! I get the feeling that you probably kept an eye on her so thank you very much for that. I know she is 22 but she is still my little girl!!! Emma is off to New York for a week of tourism and rest. Her best friend was meant to be meeting her but let her down at the last minute, but I think the fact that she has cycled across the USA will boost her independent spirit and she will enjoy her freedom to do as she wants.
I have two other daughters around the world at the moment, one in Costa Rica for 4 weeks savings turtles for part of it and and one looking after orphan lion cubs in South Africa for 2 weeks and I know that I will never get a diary full of information on what they are doing like yours. I will always treasure your diary.
I feel as if I know you very well through your diaries so to a really good friend thank you. My only a problem now is whatever am I going to do whilst I have a cup of tea in the morning if I have no blog to read.
Written from the Shetland Islands – holidaying with husband and son!! And it is actually sunny here which is very unusual.
Thank you again for you diaries and photos. If you are ever in England please call in and visit.
Kind regards
Sue