ORVing

At the beginning of our Cape Cod visit, our hosts , Jerry and Sue suggested riding in the sand with the air out of the tires. Judy and I pictured that as taking our bikes with flat tires through the sand and were not very enthusiastic. Toward the end of our stay, the idea came up again but this time we all realized there had been mis communication. It was the truck that we would be in with the tires down to 11 psi and they had a special permit ORV for off roading in the sand dunes in the Provincetown area. It was a beautiful though windy day as we drove over and through the huge dune area until selecting a waterfront site for a picnic behind our windscreen. It was an area that would be difficult to access in any other way so we had it mostly to our selves for beach combing. Later we drove through parts of Provincetown where the crowds of people seemed overwhelming after the tranquility of the beach. My last visit July 4,1995 was a fond memory but it was difficult to find familiar landmarks on this trip. For our last night we ate at a South African restaurant in Eastham Karoo. We had a delicious meal,mine a Malay Shrimp stew made with coconut milk! We had a wonderful visit with exercise, good food, and particularly renewing friendships.

Chatham Cycling

On Wednesday we headed of with our bikes in Jerry's truck to the bike trail section in the Chatham area. We rode through beautiful Cape Cod cottages some of which might be better referred to as mansions. Our path led us along beaches and harbors. I struggled again with the hills which were not exceptional but I ran out of breath 3/4 of the way up on a couple of them. Later in the day Jerry made some adjustments to my bike which hopefully will improve my shifting into lower gears. After the ride, we drove to Sesuite Harbor with an outdoor cafe along the water where I had the most spectacular lobster roll ever! It has set a high benchmark for the future. The setting was idealic with a breeze blowing the umbrellas over the picnic tables. We then did a driving tour of other areas reinforcing again had beautiful the Cape is with its Ponds, sandy beaches and marshes. We ended the day walking to a nearby beach for Sunset.

Cape Cod

Arrived in Eastham MA on Cape Cod mid afternoon Sunday. Our hosts Jerry and Sue were on our bicycle trip to Puglia Italy in 2011. My biking friend Judy drove from Maryland. On Monday Jerry led their Newcomers group plus Judy and me on a hike along the Cape Cod National Seashore almost 5 miles. My new walking poles really made a difference for me on what sometimes was a rugged terrain and a fast pace. In the afternoon another from the Puglia trip Sheila joined us for over 12 miles of bicycling to the Nauset lighthouse. The hills continue to be a challenge for me.
Today we left before 7a m for a drive to Falmouth to catch the ferry to Martha's Vineyard along with 23 other bikers from Sue and Jerry's newcomers group. Our initial 3 miles was in a pouring rain. Most of the day was overcast and windy but we had an enjoyable 23 mile ride on the island often breathing in the wonderful salt air. Our lunch was at a local airport. The four of us took a shortcut back to Oak Bluffs where we walked through the Former Methodist camp with colorful Gingerbread painted ladies houses before we met the group for ice cream and re boarding the ferry. There are wonderful bike paths many along the water. Tomorrow we hope to try some more.

Note: I have wonderful photos but can't seem to post via the Internet from the IPhone. Hopefully I can add them later.

Maine

My two days in Maine reminder me how much I love that state. The vistas of the coves with boats bobbing, the striking changes as the tide comes and goes, the charming architecture and for me especially the warm memories of my previous visits both by land and sea. As always my hosts treated me like royalty. Now I'm continuing my adventure on Cape Cod. Today we'll hike and bike. Last night we heard a fantastic acoustic music concert. A wonderful start

Northeast tour

Starting off early Sunday, the first day was interstate driving first in fog and later in rain to Erie PA. Traffic was light. Labor Day only a half day to arrive at niece Sarah's house. We had a bicycle ride along the rain swollen river to a large park on lake Cayaoga where we picnicked and watched 2 yr old Enzo play. The merry go round was operating so we all took a ride for only 75 cents compared to 5 dollars at Navy Pier! Tuesday I headed over to Kendal Ithaca where I had breakfast with residents and exchanged information and ideas on our CCRCs. My trip to Hanover NH involved meandering around curves, up and down hills which at times I sensed I was going the wrong way or in circles. Despite or because of 1 GPS systems I arrived at Kendal Hanover to check into their farm house guest quarters and meet up with my host. Edie moved in when it first opened in 1991 as I did at the Admiral a year ago. She invited 2 couples over for drinks before going to dinner in the dining room. It was another great exchange of ideas and information. The next morning after breakfast with Ginny, a 3 year resident, I headed toward Gorham this time after studying the map and deciding to use interstates. The scenery is spectacular no matter what road you are on in the Green or White Mountains. After checking into motel I hoped into sister Karen and her husband Brads car and began our tour of the US Forest service lands where they spend summers as work campers.