For those of you who enjoy a simplistic overview, I did: - Cycle 5,175 miles - the most miles ever - but I plan to reduce mileage and increase the speed this year. - Drive 5,143 miles and I'm trying to lower that number. Where’s the train? - Read 85 books but I’m planning to read less, write more in 2025. - Eat one fantastic reuben in Clayton, NY where Thousand Island Dressing was discovered! - Visit five states and one Canadian village, but spent nearly 4 months here and there in New York. - Take time on my 10th anniversary to look back at the years of this journey in wonder. And for the rest of us…
I’m compelled to look a little closer at 2024 before stepping into 2025 in February. While my sadness persists, it’s time for a positive look at the wonderful moments of the past year that may influence the coming one. Following January in South Florida survival mode, I parked myself in a sweet studio in Sebastian for two months, a town I’ve visited umpteen times. I was somewhat delusional about my ability to sit indoors for hours and do memoir writing. The reality is that I found the indoor, connected life highly-overrated, so went on to primitive camp near the Sebastian River before hopping on the Auto Train. Deadlines brought me to the Eastern Shore of Maryland where I was gifted with another 8 years of residency via my new "Real ID". I thoroughly enjoyed a studio on Kent Island surrounded by the beauty of the Bay; much eating and long chats with dear friends; a walking tour, a long-overdue bike shop visit, and yes, a storage check. A bumper crash was a headache, but I was still ready to continue my stint as a social butterfly. It was stormy weather from the Shore to Western PA, but I arrived to four welcoming faces and felt right at home for a week. The tent then went up at Letchworth State Park, a spot recommended by many during the past few years. I did enjoy it since it was early spring, and a New York friend visited to hike and dine. After a relaxing week, I was ready to arrive at my friend Barbara's house near the Erie Canal to celebrate her birthday. As it turned out, there was an enormous itinerary: a retirement dinner, a friends’ party, time with her daughter Maeve, the pool, the trail, and the wine bar. Fun. June arrived as I began my jaunt through the 1000 Islands region – a month-long apartment on Sawmill Bay in Chaumont; day trips to Cape Vincent where Lake Ontario drains into the St Lawrence River; then pitching my tent at Cedar Point to visit Clayton and Boldt Castle on Heart Island. It was scenic, and the locals and tourists were friendly and chatty, too. It was also the place to enjoy the annual reuben – yes, with Thousand Island Dressing. On the 4th, a trip across the International Bridge brought me to lovely Westport, Ontario, Canada at the west end of upper Rideau Lake. It was summer and hot, hot, hot so the beach at Sand Lake was a favorite spot to read, swim, nap & listen to bluegrass music. The Rideau Museum, a day trip to Perth, ketchup chips and butter tarts were also quite a pleasure. Unfortunately, my Airbnb stay was hosted by a 60+ year old man-child so the trip was cut short. That said, I will not let all the glorious times spent in Canada be overshadowed by this one. Good karma brought me to the last spot available at Whetstone Gulf State Park in Lowville, New York where I enjoyed 5 days of peace and quiet, cycled gorgeous farmland, and stopped at farm stands offering sweet corn, honey and whoopie pies. Mother Nature delivered just what I needed to carry on. New York continued to please in the small, affordable town of Hoosick Falls by offering a comfortable life with easy access to neighboring Vermont. There were numerous conversations with locals who are proud of their village and are working to preserve it; while live music is definitely a summer thing. Weekly visits to Bennington, less than 10 miles east, had me once again yearning to live in the Green Mountain state, though honestly, Hoosick Falls is almost the place. Much to my surprise, my birthday was celebrated on both sides of the border. There were two surprise visits from friends that made my birth month extra special – Michele with a ticket to the Dorset Playhouse and the official birthday dinner at Bistro 42 with Heidi. Yes, I also got mail with thoughtful greetings and a few pretty packages to open on birthday morning. The actual Day didn't have any agenda, per se, but the universe did provide. In just an hour, I visited friends in Guilderland who welcomed me back for a few days following a few hours cycling along the Mohawk-Hudson Bike Trail, NY’s 97-mile river route. A few hours west and I was near Ithaca, NY, though I didn't visit the city as Treman State Park was so delightful all week long. There were a few challenging weather nights that did not deter me from hiking the rugged gorge, wooded trails, and stunning waterfalls. As temps dropped, I pointed toward the Western Shore of Maryland with a month in Mechanicsville, yet another area of my domicile state that was new to me. For the first time, I chose to skip the drive south this year and hop the Auto Train from Virginia, so I inched a bit further west in mid-October to a primitive cabin in Woodford. Overnight temps dropped into the 30s el pronto but it was quite cozy, and at the Harvest Fest in nearby Bowling Green it was a big debate -- crab bisque or crab cakes? My next pick, Colonial Beach, is a unique place bounded by the Potomac River to the east and Monroe Bay to the west. I had an enjoyable time here on two feet and two wheels as I admired the views, the small beach cottages and the remaining 19th century architecture. Friendly people, too. My then not-so-friendly welcome to Florida was offered by a member of the Amtrak Police. I’m not afraid. We also arrived 5 hours late so I was pleased to have booked a room for a few nights in Sanford. The bike trail beside the lake was open, and it was a pleasant few days with considerate people before hitting the road to an oh-so-familiar spot -- St. Lucie South on the Okeechobee Waterway. Tent life is still $10/night. A mere 7 miles east was my first-time camping experience via Hipcamp with a return to Port Salerno. I had my own little corner lakeside while sharing conversation with two very interesting women. It was then time to head to South Florida for three celebratory dates on the calendar – a friend’s birthday, Thanksgiving, and my 10th Anniversary celebration on December 4th. Yes, 10 years since I locked the door for the final time and hit the road. Thankfully, I’d decided to ignore Christmas this year as my sister Martha passed away just a few days later, then my brother-in-law Paul on January 8th. It’s been a sad and exhausting month but 2025 is here whether I’m ready or not. I’ll be cocooning in my tent in familiar surroundings beginning February 2, and thankfully, have planned where I’ll be laying my head until mid-April.
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As mid-November rolled in it was time to point further south with three celebratory dates on the calendar. Mark turning 62 and now happily awaiting his first social security check. Thanksgiving with eggnog, the Macy’s Parade, and an enjoyable day with friendly people, too much food, plenty of pie.
When December hit I began planning my 10th Anniversary celebration for the 4th. Yes, it has been 10 years since I locked the door for the final time at 207 Tred Avon Avenue for a year on the road. No, I never imagined what I was stepping out to! Who could have? The Party Balloon Bursts For whatever reason, I’d decided to ignore Christmas this year. I wasn’t feeling very religious or capitalist but perhaps it was simply foreshadowing of what was to come. On December 11th, my sister Martha was hospitalized, and she passed 18 days later – a far too rapid farewell. Gratefully, I spoke with her from afar, though sadly the airlines kept me from her service in New England. December was a month of feeling very high then very low. I’m stepping into 2025 slowly but will take a look at the past year before I regroup and plunge right in. Stay with me. |
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February 2025
AuthorCyclist, writer, teacher, avid reader, bike/ped advocate, nomad, pie lover Categories |