After a great night’s sleep in the Marmot Tungsten Tent, the sunrise was breaking through the horizon. Matt and I both needed to get up and get rolling as we had a big mileage day planned.
Teamwork, cold coffee and determination. We packed up, said our goodbyes to our Warmshowers host Bill and got on the road.
Our first stop was a recommended breakfast shop, JT’s Diner. Hopeful to be seated at a booth, a second cup of coffee and a quick breakfast. We took a seat in a booth and were quickly served. Coffee cups read something to the tune of Eat and Get out. Ok. We ate. Matt waited patiently for me to finish my blog entry, then got out.
Rosie made a new friend, Rosie the Giraffe. She didn’t talk much. She was the strong, silent, stable type.🦒
Back on the bikes, we hit Cleveland, Ohio pretty quickly. Cycling through downtown then the lakeside with minimal headwind. Less headwind sure made it an easier ride today. We stopped for a quick impromptu picnic near a park then rolled onto Edgewater Ave.
Both Rosie and I agree this is the biggest hanging pink petunia basket we have ever seen!
As we pedaled along the lakeside we saw another touring cyclist heading the other direction. We all stopped and met along the roadside. Tim was from Australia. He takes time every year to cycle parts of the United States so eventually he will have made the entire loop. Jokingly, he mentioned his goal was to do it by the time he was 105. We had a nice chat before he continued on his path to Cleveland.
We made good time to our Warmshowers host David in Vermilion. Total miles today was 62. We arrived by 5pm after what seemed a long last 7 miles. We had a construction segment in the final 5 miles that was sectioned off by cones. No one working in the lane so it was the equivalent to having a barricade keeping you away from traffic. Great for a Friday evening! David greeted us at the driveway. He allowed us to park our bikes in the garage and he showed us our room. After a welcoming conversation, we all walked to the lake. Swimming was on our list and it sure helped cool us down.
We returned to the house and David had made a delicious dinner. We devoured cheeseburgers, fresh corn the cob and homemade potato salad. Absolutely hit the spot! After dinner we all sat on the porch and chatted. Soon we were ready for bed. David had another cyclist coming in off the Northern Tier later on that evening. I know we are all so very thankful for Warmshowers hosts. I am counting my blessings and saying so long for now as I drift off to sleep.