Barthelona
Day two of our return to the saddle finds me having a molasses kind of morning. It often takes me a while to warm up and find my vigor so nothing too out of the ordinary there. We continued our trace of the edge of Lake Erie and rode through many miles of vineyards. Trees rise and recede on the view to our right and the wide expanse of the shining lake makes for a stunning view. The terrain is flattish with rolling hills and not too challenging.
After a few thousand pedal strokes we made our first break in a small town called Barcelona. They have a marina, a pier, a boat launch, a small park near the water, and a lighthouse from the 1800's. Additionally, they have a restaurant tacked on to the side of a mini mart. Rach and I ordered the exact same meal: scrambled eggs, wheat toast, and home fries. The feel inside was very relaxing. It had a wood bar, few customers, tiny lighthouse figurines scattered about, and plenty of patriotic bunting. Soft rock played overhead on the speakers.
We finally departed New York and crossed into Pennsylvania. Another 12 miles or so and we stopped off at a produce stand by the highway for a paper bag of cherries which we enjoyed on their swing. Usually Rach and I switch off taking the front every break or so and we'll generally pause after 10-15 miles.
Rach got a flat today but patched it out without issue under the shade of a tree at a bank. Pedals pressing persistently we reached Erie, Pennsylvania. With a population of around 100 thousand people this was our biggest town in quite a while. We stopped at an Aldi grocery store (the ones in Ireland are better) and ate our snacks while sitting on the sidewalk outside. This seemed to confuse the local populace and several small children pointed to us as they walked into the store with their Dad. A sunglass-wearing man in his 50's gave me a long look. Was it envy? confusion? reprimand? camaraderie? We'll never know.
Final stop of the day is at the Pine Lane campground. I will attempt to present the facts and refrain from editorializing. Their website mentions a pool. It is empty. Their website lists a camp store. It is closed. Their bulletin board shows a notice for a boil order on the water here. The woman running the show said it was only "advisory." She was kind enough, however, to give us several bottled waters. The trees and field here are pretty and fireflies are buzzing around our site in the last glimmers of daylight.
After a few thousand pedal strokes we made our first break in a small town called Barcelona. They have a marina, a pier, a boat launch, a small park near the water, and a lighthouse from the 1800's. Additionally, they have a restaurant tacked on to the side of a mini mart. Rach and I ordered the exact same meal: scrambled eggs, wheat toast, and home fries. The feel inside was very relaxing. It had a wood bar, few customers, tiny lighthouse figurines scattered about, and plenty of patriotic bunting. Soft rock played overhead on the speakers.
We finally departed New York and crossed into Pennsylvania. Another 12 miles or so and we stopped off at a produce stand by the highway for a paper bag of cherries which we enjoyed on their swing. Usually Rach and I switch off taking the front every break or so and we'll generally pause after 10-15 miles.
Rach got a flat today but patched it out without issue under the shade of a tree at a bank. Pedals pressing persistently we reached Erie, Pennsylvania. With a population of around 100 thousand people this was our biggest town in quite a while. We stopped at an Aldi grocery store (the ones in Ireland are better) and ate our snacks while sitting on the sidewalk outside. This seemed to confuse the local populace and several small children pointed to us as they walked into the store with their Dad. A sunglass-wearing man in his 50's gave me a long look. Was it envy? confusion? reprimand? camaraderie? We'll never know.
Final stop of the day is at the Pine Lane campground. I will attempt to present the facts and refrain from editorializing. Their website mentions a pool. It is empty. Their website lists a camp store. It is closed. Their bulletin board shows a notice for a boil order on the water here. The woman running the show said it was only "advisory." She was kind enough, however, to give us several bottled waters. The trees and field here are pretty and fireflies are buzzing around our site in the last glimmers of daylight.
 |
| In Barcelona |
 |
| They wouldn't let us climb up |
I laughed when I read your picture caption, "They wouldn't let us climb up." Fortunately for the Barcelona lighthouse you were pedaling on to Erie and thus wouldn't be tempted to make an after hours visit.
ReplyDeleteRide safely,
Cheri
ReplyDeleteGot the latest package; its in your room. Still hot here. Great photos and commentary. Keep up the good work. Tour de France has been pretty amazing so far. We put in another offer on a condo today...who knows? Kellie called. She's fine. It's hotter where she is but they don't seem to be overdoing it. I think Kathryn is ok. I don't really hear from her anymore. Joe is in Animalheim looking after things. I worked in the yard in Pooh way all day. Not much to report. Be good. Be careful.
Maybe you don't hear from "Kathryn" because she is your daughter and you don't know how to spell her name correctly.
DeleteKatie, your baby porringer is engraved correctly because the gift giver checked with me after obtaining the spelling above from your father.
DeleteStupid campsite, we feel your pain, at least this one existed! Off walking today in the Calanques will send photos. Xx
ReplyDelete