Thirty-eight years ago as we began our married life, we cycled out of Strafford, Vermont and began a year-long bicycling adventure traveling around the world. (The photo is from Nepal.) Then came another wonderful adventure -- children and careers. With children on their own and our careers behind us, we entered the next chapter, again with a bicycle adventure. That one was more modest, train trips across the country and five weeks on bikes from Los Angeles, CA to Portland, OR; but it greeted us with we good riding, great sights, and interesting people.

After two bicycle trips on the west coast, we tried something different. With an old dog along for the ride and a camper in the bed of the pickup, we set off for the desert southwest exploring national parks, enjoying daily cycling, and even playing a little golf.

In Spring, 2017, we decided on an international adventure. We landed in Lisbon, Portugal and rode a loop through Portugal and Spain and back to Lisbon. Once again, seeing the sights, meeting people, and pedaling 1600 miles were wonderful!

In March 2018 we left Maine after a big snow storm and headed to North Carolina for some warmth - we didn't find it. We went further south to SC - still didn't find it! But we did discover new places to cycle and explore!

It is now August 2023, kids are married with families of their own (five wonderful grandchildren) and we are off on another adventure! Our first stop will be Lily Bay State Park on August 13, then head north and west, across Canada and into Alaska driving and camping with bikes and a canoe. Here is the family, though missing Miles' wife, Baily.

Friday, April 4, 2014

End of the trail . . .

We have had a relaxed three-day ride to Tucson and are now near the end of our trip.  We are staying with a "warm showers" host, Bill Bennett, about eight miles NW from downtown. 



Bill met us 20 miles out of town this morning and escorted us along wonderful bike trails to his home. There is even a bike store on the Tucson Loop. 


 I write this sitting by his pool with the mountains in the distance.  Delightful.  



Last night we camped at Picachou State Park in the shadow of a distinctive peak.  


The park marks the site of the western-most battle of the Civil War. Who knew Arizona was involved in that conflict?  We enjoyed a beautiful evening and it was so nice camping one last time. 







Among my favorite moments of the trip is morning coffee at a camping spot.


The ride from the Phoenix area to Tucson was easy -- mostly on frontage roads running parallel with highways.  There is almost no traffic and no incline.  Relaxing.  We rode on a dirt road for miles and it was pleasant.  


Still, somehow bicyclists and motorist die even on straight, barely traveled roads -- speed, drinking, falling asleep, all of the above?


Stopped on the way to see ancient ruins at Casa Grande -- interesting.  


Alll along the way from San Diego we have been struck by the harsh desert environment and what it takes to survive here.



Had our only flat tire of the trip a couple of days ago.  


My Chaco tan has progressed nicely.


Tomorrow morning we will ride into the city, get a motel room, check the bikes at the train station, and draw this adventure to a close.  We have been feeling sadness on and off the past few days.  It has been a great trip!  But, soon we will see family and friends, and we do look forward to that.

Posted by at

1 comment:

  1. UnknownApril 4, 2014 at 11:34 AM

    Fantastic trip overall. So the train trip heading east is underway. Look forward to a presentation of your adventure in the summer on Deer Isle

    DAVE and ANETTE

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)