Barb and I toured together in 2008: I rode solo to Chautauqua, NY; she drove solo to Chautauqua, NY. There we rendezvoused and toured from Chautauqua to Stoddard, NH, her home: she drove, I rode. We'd arrive at our destination about 2:00, have a late lunch and sight-see the jewel of a town we'd chosen. I hadn't seen Barb since that Tour.
Leaving Boston after breakfast on Saturday, July 2nd we headed to Stoddard by way of Hancock, NH, home of the most photographed church in New England and their Saturday Farmer's Market (that also sells clothes) held in the horse and buggy stalls behind the church. Barb bought a winter coat, 2 sweaters, and 3 pairs of pants for $7.50
Barb lives in what I call a doll house on the edge of 500 acres of wooded wilderness which she shares with her Labradoodle, Fergus, and her Maine Coon cat, GB (short for gray belly).
Barb made the ladder that runs from ground to deck for GB to come and go while keeping out the coons and fox. Seems the wild critters don't like with sway of the ladder; good thing because our bedroom was at the head of ladder.
Fergus sounded his alarm each night as bear, fox, and coons stalked around the house. Good thing Barb had instructed us which garbage to compost and which not so as not to further attract her ursine neighbors. Evidence they had, indeed, been there at some point was the "bear post" at woods-edge where they come to sharpen their claws.
We joined Barb and Fergus on a couple of their daily walks in the woods that can range from 20 minutes to 4 hours. Even saw a snake sunning on our path.
The 4th of July found us in Kittery, ME. Before sharing dinner with Elliott, Andrea, and Ella, friends from Trinity Wilmette, I was able to get in a short ride now being able to claim one more state for my "Ridden In" book.
Tuesday, July 5th I added Vermont to my "Ridden In" book which brings my newly ridden in states on this trip to 4. In the last 12 days our so-far-driven in State count is up to 10 and our slept-in-different bed count up to 8.
You covered some beautiful territory in that post. BTW, I've got friends in Kittery who are 'bent riders. Too bad you didn't get to meet them.
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