Yesterday was an interesting day for sure. As Devon mentioned, we weren’t expecting nor really prepared for rain but it just added to the adventure. Another thing that added to the adventure was getting pulled over by cops for speeding. Just kidding, we didn’t get pulled over for speeding – come on. Isaac did get stopped for biking and chatting next to me, though. We were advised to bike in a single file instead which makes sense but isn’t as fun..

We also biked by 2 old men. Now, we have biked by many people since we embarked on this trip and 95% of the time we just get a smile and wave. I did bike by a guy peeing the other day and he looked at me as though I was intruding. Dude, you had your pants down in the middle of a parking lot right alongside a main road – I think I’m the one that should be offended. Anyway, we had just taken a detour to avoid a massive hill which had a dead end sign and I had so far been pleased that the detour lacked the hills I was expecting. As we biked by the flat neighborhood where we saw the old men, one of them decided to impart some words of wisdom: “You can chat now but you’ve got some hills coming!” That can be read a number of ways but I’d like to clarify that he said this in the creepiest, straight-from-a-cheesy-horror-movie type of way. Additionally, he ended this phrase with the most unnecessary ominous cackle that I half expected him to point towards the sky and for it to instantly erupt in thunder and lightning. If I had more energy I would have pedaled quickly but instead I chuckled nervously at 4mph away from him. We were all a bit disturbed but had a good laugh.

We will never know if the old man purposely created the hills we traversed in that instant or if they always existed. At least that is how I would end this entry if I wanted to continue the cheesy horror theme. He was right, though. Lots and lots of hills came our way but I’m happy to finally be warm and while I didn’t expect to end up in a hotel room on this trip, I have to say I had never been happier to see one.

Last night we rolled into the Minuteman Campground around midnight and were pleasantly surprised by how hotel-like the amenities were. While we were too tired to take advantage of the pool, TV room and pool table, we did enjoy a nice, warm shower before curling up in our hammocks to rest up for what lay ahead.

Today was the first day where we had no plans except to bike. It was also my first glimpse of the notorious hills of Massachussetts which I would argue are basically mountains. Giant mountains that want nothing more than to make my thighs burn until they spontaneously combust. I’d like to formally apologize both to Isaac and Connecticut for ever complaining about my difficulty biking up the hills and mountains around Simsbury. Those are really nothing compared to what we experienced today and I’m told I STILL haven’t seen the worst of it. Oh boy.

When we left the campground this morning, we had plans of stopping for breakfast after 20 miles or so, which is really not a problem. However, the towns we kept hoping would have food options continued to fail us and after the about 30 miles of Hill Hell, we (ok mostly me) were exhausted. When we finally made it to the town of Rutland, I realized I had never been more excited to go to an empty restaurant with a questionable smell, which in all fairness could have just been the scent of my companions and myself. After fully stuffing ourselves with food and icy beverages, we felt rejuvenated enough to continue on our trek to where we are now: Highview Campground, in our hammocks.

I don’t think I will have any issues falling asleep tonight.