Northeast Ride – Day Six

When the going get tough, the tough get going.

Rough day today. Getting back on schedule. Woke around 7:30 and started tearing down camp. Was back on the road a little after 8:00. I only had about fifty miles of Maine to get through before crossing back into New Hampshire. I was hoping to get my state sign photos for both states at the border as I had not been able to get either yet. As luck would have it, the border is a river and both signs are placed in the middle of a bridge.

I only had to travel 20 miles or so before getting into Massachusetts. An easy sign to get. Massachusetts was just as tree covered as the previous two states but as I got closer to Boston the traffic picked up. It didn’t let up for most of the rest of the day. Some of it flowed well at speed. Some was slow going. And some was stop and go. All day.

I’ve been setting my waypoints as my destinations so that Libby’s GPS takes me where I actually want to go. This has worked splendidly except for that one instance back in Illinois. So, my Massachusetts destination was set as Boston. I jumped off the highway before getting into the city and reset for the next destination. This took me around the city and avoided God knows how much more traffic. South through the state I continued and eventually made it into Rhode Island. Not a single state sign coming in or going out, but I got my 50 miles in. Rhode Island is a special state. Since it is so small, getting 100 miles in the state would be a ridiculous task unless you were spending an entire day there.

I stopped for lunch at a little place called Camden’s. Had the veal parmesan which was good, but I’ve had better. Ate what I could and headed back out. A few more miles and I was headed west through Connecticut. Small state sign at the border but not safe enough to stop. Didn’t notice much in Connecticut as traffic was the main focus. Trees were abundant but nothing like the previous states. I was also right on the southern coast though I never caught any views of the ocean. A few bays and marinas were all I was able to get a glimpse of.

Connecticut lead me back into New York state and to my next destination of Valhalla. It’s a route that will take me around New York City and now I can say I’ve been to Valhalla. If you’re not catching my drift, Valhalla is the viking version of Heaven.

A short 20 mile ride got me into New Jersey and of course the state sign is centered right over the four lane highway. Not having a lot of luck this year. State signs have proved elusive. State sign photos are meant to be proof that you were there. But I’ve done some thinking about it (I’ve had plenty of time for it) and decided that I don’t need them. I want them sure, but I’m not out here trying to prove anything to anyone. This isn’t about proving anything. It’s adventure. Excitement and fear. Learning and experience. Mistakes and failure. It’s freedom. And a lifetime of stories to tell to anyone who cares to listen.

But here I am in New Jersey for the night. Just south of Philadelphia. We’ve conquered 46 states as of today. Delaware tomorrow. Looks like it might be another wet start. We’ll see what Dorian has in store for us. Shouldn’t be more than rain if anything. We should be headed towards home before lunch time.

Put in another 478 miles today for a total of 2,906 so far. Hopefully I can get another big day in tomorrow and get a couple of short days on to finish up. But I am physically and mentally exhausted after today so it’s off to bed, or sleeping bag, for me.

Enjoy your Friday!