Today was tough, I admit it. It started out well - Chuck and I had a fabulous breakfast at Jordan's in Bar Harbor. We had planned to go to Cafe This Way, but they're still closed for the season. Jordan's is famous for their blueberry pancakes, and I can see why! It was so, so, so good. Chuck had a waffle and enjoyed it. We're both spoiled by the fantastic coffee we have at home, so anything else tastes weak. This was the case at Jordan's, and the coffee we had at The Wayside yesterday tasted like water to us.... By the way, here's a shameless plug for the Williston Coffee Shop. Give it a try - that's where we discovered this amazing coffee. We've been drinking it at home too, and it's so yummy. They have great pastries too.
We went back to the hotel to see if I could fit everything in my trailer. I forced myself to think minimalistically (is that a word?) and sent a whole lot of stuff back to Vermont with Chuck. My seven T-shirts turned into two. I had wanted to bring my favorite pillow, but it just wasn't possible. We got everything in the car, and drove down to the waterfront. We were right by the restaurant we enjoyed last night, The Fish House Grill. Oysters and fish tacos were amazing, and we had a really nice time. We met some nice people and chatted about my bike ride. Anyway, I dipped my tire in the water, and Chuck took a video of it. I'll post it to Facebook later on. We said our tearful good-byes and Chuck drove away. That was a tough part, just in case you were wondering. Not sure when I'll be seeing him again. He's been amazing, supporting me with this ride, but not wanting me to go at the same time.
There's construction in Bar Harbor, so I had to take a detour, which took me right through Acadia National Park. Nothing wrong with that, the weather was perfect and the scenery was amazing, but I haven't done a ride like this in a very long time, and the hills are tough when you're just starting out. I played my music, which helped me get through it. So much of it is mental. If I put my head down, don't stare at the hill in front of me, and just focus on the part I'm doing at the moment, it's all good. My attitude about climbing hills is this: if you go at it like it's going to suck, it will. I focus on getting to the top and enjoying the ride on the way down. I started out pretty well with this attitude, but as I got closer to Ellsworth, and my stomach was cramping, and I was hungry because I hadn't packed a snack, it wore on me. I looked up and there was a vulture circling in the sky, high above this yellow-jacketed biker chick. I shook my fist at him and yelled, "Not yet!" The music helped me again. "I Am Woman" by Helen Reddy came on, and I sang, "I am strong. I am invincible. I am woman!" as I biked down the road. Some people probably heard me, but I didn't care. The nice couple we met at the bar drove by me and they slowed down to say hello. I'm hoping to see them again in Pennsylvania.
I was pretty beat by the time I pulled in to my hotel. Thank goodness for the hotel! I have a nice room, there's a pool, and lots of places around where I can get something good to eat. I know I won't always have this luxury, so I plan on enjoying it. Tomorrow I make my way to Belfast, where my friend Alex lives. I plan on spending a couple of days hanging out with him, and I'm looking forward to it. I met him on my last bike ride, and it'll be fun to catch up on all that's happened in the last six years. I'm gonna go for a swim now, find myself a margarita to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, and hopefully watch the Red Sox win another game against the Rangers. I'm actually doing it! Can't believe I'm sitting here in Maine, on my way to Key West.
We went back to the hotel to see if I could fit everything in my trailer. I forced myself to think minimalistically (is that a word?) and sent a whole lot of stuff back to Vermont with Chuck. My seven T-shirts turned into two. I had wanted to bring my favorite pillow, but it just wasn't possible. We got everything in the car, and drove down to the waterfront. We were right by the restaurant we enjoyed last night, The Fish House Grill. Oysters and fish tacos were amazing, and we had a really nice time. We met some nice people and chatted about my bike ride. Anyway, I dipped my tire in the water, and Chuck took a video of it. I'll post it to Facebook later on. We said our tearful good-byes and Chuck drove away. That was a tough part, just in case you were wondering. Not sure when I'll be seeing him again. He's been amazing, supporting me with this ride, but not wanting me to go at the same time.
There's construction in Bar Harbor, so I had to take a detour, which took me right through Acadia National Park. Nothing wrong with that, the weather was perfect and the scenery was amazing, but I haven't done a ride like this in a very long time, and the hills are tough when you're just starting out. I played my music, which helped me get through it. So much of it is mental. If I put my head down, don't stare at the hill in front of me, and just focus on the part I'm doing at the moment, it's all good. My attitude about climbing hills is this: if you go at it like it's going to suck, it will. I focus on getting to the top and enjoying the ride on the way down. I started out pretty well with this attitude, but as I got closer to Ellsworth, and my stomach was cramping, and I was hungry because I hadn't packed a snack, it wore on me. I looked up and there was a vulture circling in the sky, high above this yellow-jacketed biker chick. I shook my fist at him and yelled, "Not yet!" The music helped me again. "I Am Woman" by Helen Reddy came on, and I sang, "I am strong. I am invincible. I am woman!" as I biked down the road. Some people probably heard me, but I didn't care. The nice couple we met at the bar drove by me and they slowed down to say hello. I'm hoping to see them again in Pennsylvania.
I was pretty beat by the time I pulled in to my hotel. Thank goodness for the hotel! I have a nice room, there's a pool, and lots of places around where I can get something good to eat. I know I won't always have this luxury, so I plan on enjoying it. Tomorrow I make my way to Belfast, where my friend Alex lives. I plan on spending a couple of days hanging out with him, and I'm looking forward to it. I met him on my last bike ride, and it'll be fun to catch up on all that's happened in the last six years. I'm gonna go for a swim now, find myself a margarita to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, and hopefully watch the Red Sox win another game against the Rangers. I'm actually doing it! Can't believe I'm sitting here in Maine, on my way to Key West.
Hi, Katy! Believe it, you're doing it!!! So exciting. I bet the first several days will be tough on you. But once you hit your stride it should be smooth sailing. I'm hoping for beautiful days and restful nights for you!
ReplyDelete