I am going to amend the old carpenter’s saying in the above title to “Read four times and ride once!” On Sunday I read my map twice instead of four times and it cost me 20 miles! I took a wrong turn, stayed on HWY 113 and as I pedaled along I expected to encounter my breakfast stop, Sharon, VT! Well after pedaling uphill from 450 ft elevation to 1280 ft, I figured out something was wrong and I had not made it to Sharon! Long story, but I turned around, I knew it was all downhill, and finally got to Sharon, VT. I had traveled 42 miles and was only 22 from where I had stared the day! Read, memorize and read the map again and again – lesson learned! BUT…..
Below is another absolutely true “OMJSN Guardian Angels” story! An hour before the below encounter, I looked down at OMJSN and said, “Poppie messed up, took a wrong turn, it is getting late and I have nothing arranged for tonight because I thought I would have been in Hancock, VT. Any magic would be appreciated!” (I never feel alone while riding and talk to the five all the time.)
As I sat eating my delicious turkey sandwich at Sharon’s deli, a lady pulled up and asked, “Where you headed?” I briefly told her my story and she told me that she and her husband lead bicycle tours for Adventure Cycling! They have done the same tour as I am doing, but 11 times! Eventually she asked my plans for the night and I said, “No idea and no campground, motel or B&B in the area!” “We have an unpublished B&B and we’d love to have you spend the night at our B&B, out of the rain!” Nancy and Ken Wright are such a delightful, knowledgeable and caring couple! I got warm, washed clothes, dried my soaked rainfly, slept like a log, received fabulous tips on my route and topped it off with a delicious breakfast this morning! Thanks once again to my Guardian Angels, OMJSN, what should have been a disastrous day, turned into a fabulous day!
Tonight I am in Middlebury, VT and should be in NY state tomorrow. Today was another long climb, but with a cold headwind, rain at times, a bit of hail (I found a covered picnic area next to the Rochester Volunteer Fire Department during the hail storm,) but I didn’t miss read my maps!
Thanks again to old friends, new friends, and my loving family for all the love and support via this blog and Anita’s Facebook postings! I am so blessed! One special thank you to Pearl Hopson, a former student of mine from Wainwright, AK, for her kind words. I can’t believe my former students in Wainwright are now Mom’s, Dad’s, teachers and I hear some are now successful whaling captains! Be safe out there at whale camp, unless the season is over already! Remember the big chocolate chip cookie Eli won for some contest at Halloween’s? LOL
Cheers and all is good with Greg’s Journey
Wow! Greg. You amaze me with this undertaking. Your trip is an unbelievable adventure. If you go through SD, let us know ahead of time. We will travel to you or you can stay at our home overlooking the river. There is always oatmeal ready to be eaten by you!
Thanks so much for the offer and more importantly, your kind words. My route changes as the days go by and I learn more about myself. I will let you know when I get closer to SD!
Another example of good things happening to good people Greg. May the force of goodwill continue to be with you!
the debark team says go Greg but read the map
An experience of a life time Greg. I’m with you in spirit. Safe travels.
Go Uncle G! I am so proud of you, even if you did misread the map. Stronger bifocals needed? 😉 I am teaching kindergarten summer school and I am going to share some of your adventures with my new batch of littles, so be sure to add lots of pictures! Love you!
Hi Greg,
Sounds like your bike adventure is full of the good and bad news, wet and dry, sun and new friends. Those are the things that make it so wonderful! Glad you are doing well and you successfully climbed the big hills! Really no doubt. Life is good in AK – beautiful day, train tomorrow and AK summer is in full swing. Thanks for the blog, it is great to follow your adventures. Lots of good energy sending your way!!!! Looks like your angels are taking care of you.
take care
Jim Tilly
Hi Jim and thanks for positive comments! I may change my planned route and go into Canada for a bit! The couple I stayed with who lead tours stay away from the Cleveland-Chicago area and prefer the farms lands in Michigan and Wisconsin! I have time to ponder, but sounded more enjoyable than my original! Cheers and get to bed, as you have an early morning on Wednesday!
Greg
Greg,
No spotted bananas here! Any pilgrimage we venture upon reveals the wonders of nature and people. We also learn much about ourselves. Sometimes, there is more than one path to follow and each will lead to a different experience. Keep pumping, experience the fragrance and scenery of the road. Enjoy and savor every moment.
Hey Mr. V! The whaling season has come and gone. Now we prepare for Nalukataq at the end of this month. We will celebrate the week of the 24th to 28th. Yes most of your former students are moms and dads. Some, now grandparents. Myself included. 🥰 So glad to be reading of your trek across the country. Hope all will be well for the rest of your Adventure Cycling. Be safe.
Pearl Hopson
Thanks Pearl! Please say Hi to all my former students! We all have aged, but hopefully as well as can be!
Take care and thanks for thinking of me!