Weather...

Specifically the wet kind, commonly referred to as rain, has been our constant companion almost since entering PA. Besides the little matter of being very wet very often we had a wonderful time through the East Coast. After initially being confused for menacing home invaders by a wonderful elderly couple we found the Colonial States to be very hospitable. We found that people here in the East are least likely to ask you what you're doing riding a bike looking like a drowned rat, I theorize that they must think we are deranged so see little point in talking to us more than they have to, but after we tell them what we are doing they become interested and are quite willing to help us in whatever way possible.

I think it is only fair to say that my chain broke, after all of Andrew's bike problems I finally had my own troubles. Quick note: Dan, I'm sorry for being unclear about what part broke on Andrew's bike, it's the crank arm that the pedal attaches to (I hope that's clearer). It sheared right off, I wish I had a photo with me but I forgot to take one. So anyway we were going through Wilkes Barre (spelling?) PA in the rain and my chain decided that it had had quite enough of this going up hills business and snapped. Praise God there was a bike shop within walking distance and a Best Western that was willing to put up two smelly bikers in dire need of a shower.

Oh! Big news of the day, after riding down the canal path north of Trenton (in the pouring rain) and after fighting through the traffic of 206 and after a wonderful woman asked us blankly how we got from San Francisco to NJ after we told her where we started...she had a delightful accent that just made the moment priceless. After all that we made it home =) we pulled into Daylily Drive to the sounds of loud party noise makers blaring and Molly, James, Sarah, Erin, Mom, and Chester all coming out to welcome us joyiously home. They quickly told us what many people were too kind to say earlier, they told us we stank pretty terribly and that we needed to take showers immediately. Molly, James, and Sarah also made their voices heard as to our general unkempt appearance, specifically our beards. Apparently we need to shave....I agree but not until after we ride to the shore tomorrow =)

So tomorrow we ride to the shore to complete our transcontinental ride. I'll put up one last post after this with closing remarks, photos of the finish and what not, but here are some photos of the last couple days. Enjoy.

This was in Watkins Glen New York. Right on the south end of Seneca Lake. We camped out on the spit of land on the left side of the photo. Lake side camp site for free =) There was a big NASCAR race going on while we were there, very exciting.

This was taken from Hwy 6 in PA going along the river. Beautiful country with great little towns. In recent years these quite hills have experienced an inflex of heavy truck traffic due to the oil shale industry moving into the area. It has caused a lot of angst amongst the small town citizens.



This is the result of me being tired of sleeping outside and being wet.

Our first night in NJ =)

We got to ride along the Delaware canal for a ways today, good thing too, because the road didn't have a shoulder and rain made visibility very limited.

Home =)



So one more ride tomorrow and this little journey is completed. It has been a ride of a life time. As always thank you all for reading along and commenting. It is a great encouragement!!

For one last ride,

Nate

Comment Response:

Liz: Thanks for following!! It has been a great joy to write about the trip and share it with others.

Uncle Bill: Haha amazingly it has held. While everything else has broken the duct tape has held =)