Summer 2001 

Summer 2001 began for me as I took the Interstate north from Florence. Vacation didn't have to wait until I got to Maine: by leaving at 4:53 a.m. I had time to stop for a bike ride around the Fredricksburg, Virginia area. I rode through the historic area and found a nice trail along the Rappahannock River. After enjoying the natural beauty of the river, stopped for coffee at an outdoor table on a brick sidewalk. Beans in the Burg served good coffee and after six hours of driving and a couple of hours of exploring on the bike it felt nice to relax. On the way back to the car I pedaled through the serene campus of Mary Washington College.

After a nice visit with my sister outside Washington I got another early start and made it to Hampton Beach New Hampshire before opting for a break. I pedaled along the beach down to Salisbury, Massachusetts. On the way back I found the sand too soft to pedal through but pushed my bike to a point where I could see the draw bridge rise. Later I found some firm sand. I spent enough time the warm, scenic beaches to work up a real appetite--the kind that calls for pizza. Fortunately I found Zesto's just a mile from my motel and inviting. My decision to explore New Hampshire rather than push on to home was a good one and I awoke the next day refreshed with only about three hours to go.

When I pulled up to Tamarack , as I call my house, a little snow remained on May 11. At that point summer (May, June, July, August)  seemed like it would last forever, but the older you get the faster time passes and before I could fully comprehend it, August 13th had arrived and I was headed south. Because I was able to get started before 4 a.m., I got to Connecticut by lunch. I ate at an old-fashioned diner called Zip's Diner. Rain called for a change in my plan to camp nearby and I continued on to Delaware, a state I have often crossed but not visited. I pulled off the Interstate to Lum's Pond State Park in Bear, Delaware. I paid my fee, set up my tent and took off on an eclectic mountain bike ride under threatening skies. Delaware is a bicycle friendly place that won me over. 

That first evening I rode on a nice hike, bike and horse trail around the park and then went to check out the marina. I wondered why a marina would be situated here, pretty well inland. To my surprise a regular fleet of open water vessels were moored at the 225 slips. By following an abandoned road I found myself on a gravel track paralleling a canal spanned by enormous bridges. Eventually I would learn that I was riding along the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. The gravel road took me for miles along the nation's busiest canal and when it ran out I took a dirt track that lead me into some mud and overgrown vegetation: heaven of a mountain bike ride. I got muddy and gnats descended on me as I passed through a nature preserve associated with the canal. I flushed some deer and saw lots of wading birds and ducks as the road ran in circles. Every time it seemed close to coming our somewhere, it turned back into the preserve. I thought I ought to turn around but the urge to keep going pushed me on. As darkness approached, and the skies got ever more rain-like I finally found my way to a paved road. I picked up my pace as drops of rain started to fall. I stopped at a wonderful little store with a post office inside and friendly young folks who made me a great sandwich at a good price. I made it back to my camp before the rain came and enjoyed my dinner on the picnic table. 

After a good night's sleep on the ground, I was up and ready to ride on a pretty day. My route took me over on of the enormous bridges, which encouraged me with "Share the Road" bike signs. I turned down a scenic country road but encountered a sign telling me the road was closed ahead. I took a gamble and came to bridge construction that was about to begin and was able to get across. I pedaled through attractive little towns and then passed through bird sanctuaries along the bay. It was like magic pedaling on deserted roads through such a lovely place. The early morning sun lit up the bays with a special softness. I passed through tiny Port Penn and then crossed another huge bridge. From the top I looked down on big dump trucks that would pass beneath me and eventually catch me as I slowly climbed the bridge. On the other side I rode into pleasant Delaware City where I finally found breakfast at Porto Pizza. While asking for a food recommendation, I met a very friendly man who had a wonderful attitude about life. We stood on the edge of the waterfront on a lovely sunny morning just talking about the good life. From Delaware City I looked out at Pea Patch  Island Heronry home to some 12,000 large wading birds. By the time I packed up and left town I had ridden 51 miles and seen some wonderful natural beauty in Delaware.