Real Talk!

Things were a little sombre last night, as we regrouped in the hotel lobby, looking for word on yesterday's accident. Of course, the story had gotten even more confusing... we weren't sure if there had been one or two accidents... and we felt very ill thinking that anyone might've been hurt...

Several people wanted to turn back to Burlington Vermont but we knew that there were at least three people with the person who had been admitted to the hospital there. It was with mixed feelings that we came to the realization that most adults do... we would only be in the way... we had to push on- as safely as possible.

This morning, the fog obscured the views of the mountains in New Hampshire... it was very disappointing, but seeing as it wasn't yet raining... Brian Walker (the OREA prez) and his wife Cassaundra had decided to join us on the leg again... and were kind enough to take our luggage in their van... so we were much lighter and more comfortable when we took off about 8 a.m.

We stopped at a very homey cafe for a delicious breakfast and watch the fog give way to patches of blue sky. We tried to remain optimistic but in spite of our most wishful thinking, the sky began to darken and at our first gas-stop, the skies opened.

We waited out the worst downpour... and we donned our rain gear... it was harder rain than yesterday, but more intermittent... not nice.

Fabian and I are the slow ones. He is very cautious, which I fully support. I always figure that the driver has to be comfortable. I'm sure it annoys some of the more experienced bikers... but a very nice couple (Lisa and Scott) kept us company again today, ensuring that we didn't get lost.

We passed some very strange things along the way... and I snapped more pictures. The open mines were pretty amazing... but no stopping because the temperature had dropped 10 degrees in about 1/2 hour... it got pretty cold and the rain refused to let up... we were done.

Driving down Rene Levesque Blvd a van pulled up and we were greeted by the Walker's smiling faces! It was very nice to see a familiar face!

We were really happy to see the big HILTON sign in the sky. The comforting thought of a hot shower and a comfy bed... Stephanie at the "tourist information" booth promised us that there was only 10% chance of rain tomorrow....

We've started to think that we have been following the storm or that the storm has been following us...

I got a big hug from Bob Kinnear in the hotel lobby... he said he'd felt so bad for me, being rained on so much during my first bike ride... he is a dear man... and his son Ian is a delight... Ian's wife is home with their son... and they're expecting another baby in a couple of months... he showed me photos the first night, in Lake Placid... he is a very happy, proud father and husband... it is nice to see.

Actually, we have a great group of folk on the trip. Really good people.

Tomorrow Lisa and Scott head off to Gaspe... we're scheduled with most of the group to go on to Cornwall... Ron Abraham's home town... that will put us within a comfortable distance of home sweet home.

In a crazy way, I'm looking forward to Cornwall... when I was very very young, my father spent a lot of time on the road for business reasons... and he used to meet up with his pals in Cornwall... I didn't know that at the time... I just remember that when he was away, he frequently seemed to call from Cornwall... I used to think... if that's where my dad is, it must be a fabulous place.

Tomorrow at this time, we will be that much closer to home... We miss our children and pets... family and friendly co-workers.