Day 20. Rest Day

Wonderfully relaxing rest day with the Evans family in Baltimore. Bower had a blast on the trampoline. Nothing better than family, good friends, and another viewing of Superbowl 44 to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul. Back on the road tomorrow to ride with Dr. Hoon (Bower's CP doctor at Kennedy Kreiger) and his family. Ready to Geaux!

Day 19. Columbia, PA to Baltimore, MD

I made it to Baltimore today! I rode through the rain for most of the morning but finally the rain relented and I rode into Baltimore from Columbia, PA (53 miles). Total to date: 872 miles. Had a great reunion with Jen, Bower and Tiffany and headed to my friends' house (Hugh and Sarah Evans) for a long awaited rest day. Whew.

Day 18. St. Peters, PA to Columbia, PA

Rode in the rain todaythrough Amish country from St. Peters, PA to Columbia, PA (49 miles), passing through beautiful farmland most of the way. Hoped to round out a nice albeitwet day on the bike by catching the Saints opening pre-season game versus the Patriots, but alas here I sit broken hearted watching the Panthers/Ravens getting started. Today's random signs were of the medical variety.

Day 17. Warrington, PA to St. Peters, PA

I rode today from Warrington, PA to St. Peters PA (52 miles), touring Valley Forge along the way. It was very interesting and worth the side trip even though it was about a thousand degrees in there. I checked into The Inn at St. Peters, an excellent place to stay with an awesome restaurant and bar where manager Adam and bartender Liz took care of me. If you are ever in the area, go there. Best food and hospitality of the trip so far. St. Peters is a really neat old mining community with ice age boulder gardens and cool black granite quarries.

Day 16. Belvidere, NJ to Warrington, PA

I enjoyed a short ride today from Belvidere, NJ to Warrington, PA (47 miles). Passed through an area where the deer apparently have a weight problem. Then ran into "Monty, the Monument Banker/Donkey." I thought about trying to introduce "Monty" to the cool Star Bangled Horse you may recall from an earlier post, but then decided that "Monty" was a little too nerdy, as unfortunately is the case with so many banker/donkeys. Bower apparently has a place here as well.

Day 15. Port Jervis, NY to Belvidere, NJ

I was a bit hesitant riding into the State of New Jersey today from Port Jervis, NY to Belvidere, NJ (60 miles), especially given the first sign I saw as I crossed over the border, but my misgivings were not well founded. I rode most of the day through the beautiful Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. This was one of the most scenic rides yet. I had my now regular lunch (Cliff Shot Energy Gel Pack and water) at a campground. Left a lot of my legs on the road today with climbs totaling over 3,000 feet, but the sights were well worth it. Anyone wanting to enjoy some great road cycling should check this place out.

Day 14. New Paltz, NY to Port Jervis, NY

Rode alongside the Shawangunk Mountains today from New Paltz, NY to Port Jervis, NY (51 miles). This area was the site of many battles between the early American settlers and the American Indians and there were many interesting historical markers along the way. And, as usual, there were the random road signs.