Day 4: Sunday, October 5, 2008

Today's Stats:
Point of Origin: Canaan, CT
Destination: Hyde Park, NY
Trip Distance: 58.4 miles
Time: 3 hours, 58 minutes
Average Speed: 14.58 mph

Suddenly I saw Grandpa Woodstock. He was dressed in multi-colored wizard's robes, complete with pointy hat and nail polish. At first I thought someone had slipped something extra into my French toast at breakfast. The experience was beyond strange. As I cruised down Wenchell Mountain Road, I registered something in my periphery that I supposed to be a scarecrow or a statue. Stopping at the bottom of the hill, I studied the map before me and gesticulated to myself. Pondering one of my options, I suddenly saw the "statue" jump; it was as if a wizard had magically appeared or that an inanimate object suddenly came to life. He introduced himself as Grandpa Woodstock and told me he was trying to hitch his way back to Woodstock. [I asked Matthew if he inquired as to why Grandpa Woodstock was dressed as a wizard, to which Matthew replied, "He's Grandpa Woodstock. Of course he's dressed as a wizard." Go figure.]. In any case, Grandpa W. sent me off in the right direction and showered me with blessings of peace and love.

In short, today was another perfect day. I cycled through a part of southeastern New York that seems to be almost entirely farmland (mostly horse farms). The fall colors were brilliant, and after the sun burned away the morning mist, the sky was blue and the clouds were crisp and white. The roads were smooth and quiet. I thought I had made it through the hilly part yesterday, but today topped even the last few days. At one point, however, I settled into some rolling hills where one hill gave me almost enough momentum to make it up the next hill (as long as I pedaled like crazy both uphill and downhill). I think if it weren't for the half hour climb up Wenchell Mountain at 4 mph (my new lowest speed when not standing still), I probably would have averaged closer to 17 mph today.

I had the best huevos rancheros of my life at the Mountain Cow Cafe in the small town of Pine Planes, NY, the midpoint of my trip today. After a refreshing lunch, I climbed, crawled, and sailed into the Hudson River Valley. I pulled up into the FDR Historic Site and got my first view of the Hudson River. If everything goes as planned and I don't get lost, I will be crossing the Hudson soon!

And the future looks bright. Today was the first day of my trip that I did not get lost.

Today's Thanks:
That's to the folks at the Mountain Cow Cafe and at Antonella's in Hyde Park, NY for feeding me so well. I can't think of a better day of eating on the road.

Today is also the unofficial midpoint of my journey to Philadelphia! Total mileage: 218 miles down, 225 miles to go! [woot woot!!].