Long Hot Day

 4 July 2012

Stats for the day:

Depart Erie, PA 7:15 a.m., arrive Thompson, OH 3:30 p.m.

Trip mileage – 833.4 miles

Today’s mileage – 64.36 miles

Time on bike – 5:25:25

Average Speed – 12.0 mph

Max speed – 39.0 mph

Happy July 4^th everyone.  Be safe tonight while out watching the fireworks. 

Brick silo (left)

We survived the thunderstorms last night in Erie.  They were pretty spectacular, with booming thunder and lightning streaking across the sky.  The City of Erie even put up their fireworks last night, as a competition with Mother Nature.  We couldn’t see the artificial fireworks, so we have no way to compare.

The evening was spent getting caught up on rest and a very nice visit with our host family from Warm Showers, Tom, Alicia, and kids.  We had a chance to discuss bikes, recumbent models, and trikes, as Tom is an avid cyclist.  Once the fireworks, both natural and manmade quieted down, we were able to get right to sleep.

No bright sunshine to greet us this morning as it was overcast and threatening rain in the Erie area.  But as we headed west, out of PA and into Ohio, the skies cleared and it got hot and muggy, making for a very physically taxing day for both of us.  We did see some interesting sights today though with the first being the brick silo.  Can’t say we have ever seen one like this before, very unique. 

We stopped to rest at the town square in Kingsville, OH.  What a beautiful spot, with a large shaded lawn, gazebo, benches scattered around the entire square, and a bell dedicated to the members of the Kingsville Township Volunteer Fire Department members, past and present. 

Squares like this are the best places to stop because they always have some interesting historical nuances that make them special.  For this one, there is a gorgeous flowerbed with markers dedicated to all the wars.  It made for a very simple, but significant tribute to all who have served defending the U.S.A. 

Pat, these pictures of the bike are just for you!  And look, no Bottle around at all!  He was very disappointed and made a point to remember how you treated him.

Before we headed out, this truck, hauling the trailer with hay caught our eye.  Rick has been known to do something similar while helping Abe and his family on the farm in Indiana.  This just wetted his appetite for farm work.

Western Reserve Greenway Trail

Part of our route today took us along the Western Reserve Greenway Trail for about ten miles.  It was lovely to be off the road for a bit.  However, after getting off the Greenway we hit dirt and gravel roads for the majority of the remainder of the day.  Roads like that make for a lot of hard pedaling.  We made it to our campground, tired, sweaty, hot, tired, and sweaty...  Okay, you get the picture.  Now to tank up on the fluids, have some supper and make our way to the office for ice cream.