C is for Cookie

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Today I have been singing Cookie Monster's "C is for Cookie song." Rach submitted the competing title of "Small Town Generosity" but as it is my day to write, the selection committee sided with me.

First off, a big thanks to Cathie and Bob for hosting us last evening. Cathie and I chatted about current events and news of the day over breakfast. She suggested a book called Hillbilly Elegy which I am going to keep my eye out for. We also got a tour of the art studio she shares with Bob where they paint, weave, stamp, stitch, and more. Cathie has been working on temari balls recently. (A traditional Japanese embroidery craft - look it up.)

Soon it was time to go and we saddled our ponies for another day climbing the hills of Maryland. If we didn't before, we're certainly turning into billy goats now. Lots of up. Never too long. But the thrill of the downhill was frequently short-lived. Just as a sweeping descent pushed our speed up and the wind whistled through our spokes... another hill to climb and cut the glee short. Rach put it this way: "Whee. Oh..." The early part of the day featured lots of country roads with red brick homes.

My favorite section of today was through the Patapsco Valley. As we turned onto Marriottsville Road the views opened to steep forested hillsides on either side. A long gradual descent took us past stone houses occasionally tucked into the greenery, lush woods, and a winding stream deep below the road on our left hand side. We passed a quarry and then began a climb through what I called the "secret forest." This was a narrow road that jogged and bent up a steep incline with a small brook to our left. The canopy of the trees enveloped us and the few houses here were tucked out of sight on winding drives. Our ascent was aided by the cooler temperatures and the water flowed over broad stones and fallen trees in the stream bed. Very pretty.

Eventually we emerged into broad country with fields and farms and horses and barns and to our home for the night: Butler. We stopped in at the "Maryland Saddlery" and the woman there was extremely kind. Within minutes we had offers to camp at three different houses or just next to the store on a grass lawn with a picnic table. We'd had enough riding for the day so we've made camp right here. Butler is the perfect type of small town to find on a bicycle tour. It has a bicycle/coffee shop which we plan to visit tomorrow as well as a restaurant serving breakfast tacos. And above all, friendly folks who offered us a perfect place to stay. So don't worry about the news, there's lots of great people out in the world.

Today's miles: Appx 50

Thank you Cathie and Bob

About to enter the Patapsco Valley

Rach doesn't like hills

Butler campsite

Comments

  1. the Old GuyMay 30, 2018 at 9:47 PM

    Hills are like taxes, no one avoids all of them. BTW, Paul Simon concert was excellent.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMay 31, 2018 at 1:17 AM

    The dislike of hills runs in the family. I don’t ride here too much ‘up’. Great to know how many lovely people there are in the world. Xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousMay 31, 2018 at 1:18 AM

      That was Debbi by the way, still technically challenged.

      Delete

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