"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." ~ Altbert Einstein

Friday, July 27, 2012 (Day 51)
Holiday Inn, Cumberland, MD
Miles:  77  MPH:  13  Max:  22  Total: 3163

Another state!! - Only one more to go!

Crossed the Eastern Continental Divide and entered Maryland today!

What a storm last night!  I finally had to brave the rain to get to the shower house and bathroom.  Slipped in the mud after showering :-)  We woke starved so headed straight for town. Ordered the Friday special for breakfast - french toast, eggs, wheat toast, home fries and bacon!  Then I got desert -- a turtle (morning desert :-)  The turtle was a circle of dark chocolate with a layer of caramel, topped with a layer of cashews and then another layer of dark chocolate.  I really hope I can stop eating like this when I get back home!

Downed trees from the storm covered the trail in several places.

We met another cyclist who had traveled almost the same route as us.  We were 1 day apart for almost the entire trip!

Just love this bike trail!

The rain continued through the morning and our bikes, bags, and bodies were covered with dirt kicked up from our tires on a very wet trail.  Branches and downed large trees covered the trail making it a very slow ride.  But by the afternoon, blue sky began to give way, and we stopped in Rockwood for a treat   As we road off the trail, I described in detail to Jack the baked goods that I had gotten 4 years ago at the coffee house we were headed to (second desert of the day).  Amazing the things I can remember!!

Making our way through the rugged mountainous terrain of the Allegheny Highlands, we pedaled across numerous bridges, the 1,908 foot long Salisbury Viaduct, and the monstrous Big Savage tunnel.  This trail is such a jewel - for sure, one of my favorite places!


After reaching the highest point on the GAP trail at 2,392 feet, it was downhill for a 20 mile joy ride into Cumberland, Maryland.  We reached Cumberland just  in time for the Friday night street party!  Five bands, restaurants with outdoor seating, dancing, and fun filled the downtown area.  Ice cream (3rd desert) topped off our evening!

View from the GAP trail - breath-taking!

Olympics Opening Ceremony tonight -- a perfect way to end our day!  Can't believe how close to home we are!

Big Savage Tunnel -  It's  just for cyclists - Awesome!

Big Savage Tunnel - over 3,000 feet long

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thursday, July 26, 2012 (Day 50)
Ohiopyle State Park, PA
Miles:  65  MPH:  11  Max:  25  Total:  3086

Oh!  Great Allegheny Passage how I have missed you!! So many memories as I pedaled on the GAP trail today!  I love this trail, and  believe it to be one of the most beautiful bicycle trails in America.  The trail travels through the Allegheny Mountains, along the Youghiogheny River, through two gorges, and has monumental bridges, tunnels, and viaducts.  It's mostly flat, with a smooth surface -- truly a gem. 

In the morning I rode with John.  We saw many deer.  We met up with Jack in Perryopolis for lunch.  Then we emptied our bags again and sent home a set of pannier bags and all of our belongings except for 2 changes of clothing.  We said good-bye to John till we see him at the beach next week!

River view along the beautiful trail.

Jack zoomed ahead on the trail.  I wanted to enjoy every moment so I pedaled to my music and thoughts.  Huge trees formed a welcome canopy of shade.  Water trickled down the mountain side on my  right and the clear Yough River babbled along on my left.  It was so peaceful!

Once in Ohiopyle, we decided to try the State Park for lodging.  To get there meant hiking with our bikes up a steep, gravel path about a mile, but we like to hike-n-bike!  We wanted a cabin, but had to settle for a platform tent.  While at the ranger station, the heavens began to rumble and lightning and thunder filled the sky.  The ranger started telling me to seek shelter in the shower house if I didn't feel safe!  I thought it was funny until the wind roared and the rain pounded on our canvas topped home!  The storm never let up so we never got out for dinner, showers, the bathroom, or water!  A bit scared but otherwise loving the sounds of a wild storm from the inside of our home for the night.

Home for the night during the thunder storm.

First time on the GAP for John

My bike loves this trail!

Love it!

Chilling out in Ohiopyle along the river.

Ohiopyle Falls!

"Life is Good!"

Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Holiday Inn Express and Suites, West Mifflin, PA
Miles:  87  MPH:  12  Max:  30  Total:  3021

Woot Hoot!!  We are in Pennsylvania!!  Next week at this time, we will be asleep in our beds at home!

Jack got back about midnight!  He slept in a bit, so I started today's ride with John.  Jack met up with us for lunch, and we continued East.

Ha Ha!  Sleeping In!

Pedaled in three states today!!  Left Ohio, crossed the Ohio River, rode just a short distance in West Virginia, and then pedaled into our home state!!  Yikes!  West Virginia is hilly!

Rode extra cautious after taking a fall yesterday.  Today's roads were not great -- lots of debris and rough surfaces.  It was a slow go and after reaching Pennsylvania, and we decided to have John drive us and our bikes to a hotel for the evening.  So we drove through the congested area of Pittsburgh and now have just a few miles to reach the Great Allegheny Passage in the morning!  Can't Wait!

This beautiful trail gave us a reprieve from today's rough roads!

Ohio & Erie Canal!

Bridge over Ohio River connecting Ohio and West Virginia!

Getting so close to home!

Wow!  Almost Home!

xoxo

"All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

This was breakfast!!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Roadway Inn, Wadsworth, Ohio
Miles:  77  MPH:  12  Max:  28  Total:  2934

Jack's apartment in Wisconsin fell through!  Oh UGH!  He took the car and headed back West to again apartment shop!  John biked with me continuing East.  I assured Jack that my miles count for him also! 

Both John and I had a minor accident!  Railroad tracks grabbed our bike tires and first he went down and then me!  Couldn't believe it!  Lucky - bruised and scraped but nothing broken on us or our bikes.  My front brakes came apart and we needed pliers to secure them again -- We so wanted to bike without carrying a lot of stuff that both our tool bag and our first aid kit  were in the car with Jack!!

A local cyclist road with us for the last 10 miles or so today.  So great for someone who knows the roads to lead the way.  He invited us to his home for cold drinks and watermelon!  Folks who ride bikes have got to be the friendliest people in the world!!

Can't wait for Jack to rejoin us!  Wait till he sees our boo-boos!!!

"It's not so much the journey that's important: as is the way that we treat those we encounter and those around us, along the way." ~ Jeremy Aldana

Monday, July 23, 2012
Walton Inn, Willard,Ohio
Miles: 55  MPH:  17  Max:  30  Total:  2857 

 Fun day!  Got soaked!  We were only on the bike for 1/2 a day!

While taking a brief stop during our ride, an older man (grandpa type :) asked us about our trip.  He offered a ride, wanted to give us some maps, and asked if we needed any lunch money -- so very cute!!

John joined us again for a few days!  As our "support" vehicle found us, we hurriedly took off our bike bags and just loved pedaling without the extra 40 pounds!  The three of us then road the roller coasters at Cedar Point Amusement Park!!  After descending the Rockies, the Millennium Force was a piece of cake!!!

Taking a break from riding for a fun afternoon at the amusement park

Soaked from the water rides!

"Reading about nature is fine, but if a person walks in the woods and listens carefully, he can learn more than what is in books, for they speak with the voice of God." ~ George Washington Carver

Sunday, July 22, 2012 (Day 46)

Econo Lodge, Findlay, Ohio
Miles:  72  MPH:  16  Max:  21  Total:  2802

Welcome to Ohio!!!  The states are going so fast now!  Gorgeous blue sky and perfect biking conditions today.  Western Ohio was flatter than South Dakota!  So peaceful!  Our country road had no traffic, was smooth, and few cross roads!  The route made for our fastest average MPH of our trip -- over 15 MPH!

Missed the Welcome to Indiana sign when we entered the state so we caught it as we said Good-bye

Amazed at how much roof damage we saw along our travels.  Folks said that a cyclone hit about a week ago.

Had an Italian special at Sub-way.....Why does food taste so good when you bike?  Staying at the Econo Lodge -- couldn't pass up the cheap price tag - cheaper than some campsites we stayed at!!

Large wind farms in Western Ohio

"It's funny how, in this journey of life, even though we may begin at different times and places, our paths cross with others so that we may share our love, compassion, observations, and hope. This is a design of God that I appreciate and cherish." ~ Steve Maraboli

Saturday, July 21, 2012 (Day 45)
Community Center, Monroeville, Indiana
Miles:  67  MPH:  13  Max:  24  Total:  2730

Nancy and us!

A+ day on the bicycle!   Hoping that our paths again meet some time, we said good-bye to our new friends in Warsaw! With a cooler temperature and a beautiful robin egg blue sky we road peaceful country roads and bike paths.  Loved watching Jack ride so carefree - he often would balance his bike and ride with "no hands!"  So much fun!

Beautiful bike path through Fort Wayne, IN

Happy bike on trail without traffic!

Sign in community center!

The landscape added some gentle rolling hills and was a welcome change to the flatness of yesterday's ride!  I love trying to see how far the downhill momentum can carry me up the next hill!

Our destination was Monroeville, Indiana near the Ohio boarder.  I had read that Monroeville was the "Most Bike Friendly Town" in America!   I needed to see for myself!  As we entered the town, someone asked us if we were looking for the biker's shelter!  Another green pickup truck stopped us and 'Barbara'  told us that two family reunions were using the park's facilities, so the pavilion was open and  to feel free to make ourselves at home!!  She continued telling us that we could use the kitchen, shower, TV, and washer and dryer!!  Crazy!  We had no idea what to expect but this was way more than we could have imagined!

Whippy Dip in Monroeville - Raspberry Chocolate Chunk --  OH YUM!

Jack made himself comfortable on the floor and I slept on a row of chairs!

Crazy Tan Lines