Walk a Mile and a Half in These Shoes

Or – He Should Have Paid the Ferryman 

You know it’s a big day when there are 2 excellent titles available

Joe left at 7 am to get to the ferry crossing.  He made it for the first crossing at about 8 am and the only other person there was Kevin, from New York City.  Kevin has a cabin around the area and enjoys biking in his retirement years. The ferry began going across the channel, but about ¾ of the way across the captain’s mate started yelling “stop!”.  A cable had slipped, and the cables are what guide the ferry across the channel. The cables were replaced yesterday (see yesterday’s blog). Apparently, the drill had run out of batteries yesterday, so the cable clamps weren’t tight enough and slipped.  They waited 20 minutes for a fix and then proceeded to the other side. They did not charge Joe or Kevin for the ferry ride today.

Once they reached Vermont Joe was off and said the countryside reminded him of Iowa. Then the climb to the top of Brandon Gap began. It was 5 miles of straight up. It took an hour.  At one point he was doing 2.8 miles an hour.  Very tough.  Hasn’t happened since leaving Washington State. It was a banner day today – Joe had 5873 feet of ascent today – a record!!

He made it through Rochester, VT.  He rode up Bethel Mountain Road and then Garmin had him turn at Mt Crushman Rd.  Only one problem. That was a dead end.   He rerouted and ended up on Copper Run, which was a gravel road that turned into rocks.  At this point he had a mile and ½ of walking straight up.  The reason he was on Copper Run Road was because his friend Tom called and saw that he was off track and said he had a “shortcut”.  Joe thanks Tom for his help 😊. He was on a jeep trail and a couple in a jeep stopped him and asked what he was doing there- LOL   They told Joe that he could continue on the road straight up to get where he wanted to go, but it’s a tough road.  It was rocky, hilly and with downed trees.  It was worse than a logging trail.  Joe walked a mile and a ½ with his bike.  He thought uphill was bad but walking down a steep hill is much worse. He made it to Rochester Hollow Road a gravel road which finally brought him to his end point and campsite.  He was never so happy to see a gravel road he could bike on. 

As for us, Neptune and I packed up and left pretty much at 11 on the dot.  Neptune had a good nap before we headed out.

We drove north along 9N and then headed into Vermont.  We crossed the Champlain River between New York and Vermont.  It was breathtakingly beautiful.  I had to stop.  And it was a historic site, so that was a bonus.  Neptune and I walked back over the bridge and took photos of both sides. So much history.  I would love to come back with my brother and sister-in-law.  John and Beth would make these pictures and stories come alive. So much history to learn about and also the chance to see, in person, the places that you’ve read about. 

Our route was very hilly and windy and all I could think of was poor Joe.

We made it to Abel Mountain RV Park about 1:30. We checked in and drove to our back in site along the river.  It is a beautiful site with full hook ups and lots of room between the neighbors.  When I pulled up there was a couple sitting outside their RV and I commented that I may need some help backing in, but I was going to give it a try.  They kindly agreed to help if needed. I attempted to do the pull forward far enough that you only have to back straight in maneuver.  That would have worked great except for the basketball court in front of me.  Judy, the former nurse, came over and asked if I’d like her husband, the former truck driver, to back in the RV for me.  Of course, I said yes!  He said to me “the way you were going, you were never going to make it”  I am still laughing about that.  I have long ago gotten over being offended or upset by things like that.  I just appreciate the good people who hop in the truck (with Neptune still in the back) and park the RV for me.  I can never thank them enough.  Because Joe was on a long adventure today, I set up everything (Bill- even the septic today!) and started our loads of laundry and that all feels like second nature to me now.

I spoke with both our kids today.  They called after seeing the screenshot of Joe in the nothingness with a note that walking may be required.  I was able to send them the photo of Joe riding into camp.  Neptune was beside himself because he was a) excited to see Joe and b) hadn’t had his ½ a turkey sandwich for the day and was starving. 

Joe has totally earned this previously scheduled rest day and will be sleeping in and staying off the bike tomorrow.  We have another great location and will be traveling around Vermont tomorrow with just a truck and a dog.  Good times.