So Emotional (Day Forty)

Wow, it really hit me today. Waiting for the ferry from Bayview to Aurora, I could not stop crying. They weren’t sad tears, I was just overwhelmed by the fact that I have ridden my bicycle to North Carolina. I got up early in Bath, and had to ask a man who was heading out to go fishing if he would help me get my bike trailer down the stairs. He reluctantly agreed. The guy who checked me in at the motel had told me about a good breakfast place down the road, so I headed that way. They opened just as I got there. I sat down and noticed they had a Vermont license plate on the wall. I must be in the right place! I asked the waitress about it, but she had no idea. My favorite thing about the South? BISCUITS. They’re so good. I had a couple of eggs and a yummy biscuit. As I was leaving, a man in the parking lot asked about my bike and my ride. He was amazed by it, so I gave him a card, and he immediately handed me a generous donation. It’s been a month since anyone’s donated, so that really made my day. 

I headed out of Bath, and everyone I passed waved hello. I pulled up to the Bayview-Aurora Ferry, and asked how much it cost. Another free ferry! And this one is a half hour trip. The man behind the counter said he recognized me from the restaurant. He was impressed by my trip and said he was planning on hiking the entire Appalachian Trail. I apologized for crying all over the place, but he seemed to understand. The ferry ride was fun; there was only one car on it, and they didn’t seem interested in chatting, so I made some phone calls. I love being out on the water.

The ride from Aurora to New Bern was long and very hot. It didn’t help that the wind was right in my face, slowing me down. I rode 45 miles today, and I understand it’s supposed to be hotter tomorrow. There’s a long bridge from Bridgeton to New Bern, and it was very windy, so I removed my Red Sox hat for fear that it would blow off the bridge (yes, I was biking without my helmet - sorry). As I entered New Bern, I noticed a festival going on, which I can only assume was in my honor. It was so sweet. 4 biplanes flew right by me blowing blue and yellow smoke. What a welcome! Unfortunately, I had booked a hotel way, way, way far from downtown (dumb) so I couldn’t enjoy the festival, but I had a nice evening and went over to Planet Fitness to take advantage of the massage chairs. Still feeling pain in my left foot from the fire ants, but I’m hoping it will subside. As for the tears, I expect those will continue.