Florida to Maine Bike Trip - Day Eight 75 Miles

Have I said that I love North Carolina yet?  I do, I do.  I LOVE the outer banks of North Carolina! So many inlets - marshland  everywhere - an exquisite tapestry for the eyes.  It was easy and for the most part rural riding.  This is the kind of cycling day that makes me love this sport.  Great exercise, new scenery and people.  Outer Banks and cycling are a good combo!!!


Many of the chafing discomforts that have been with me for 7 days, for the most part, disappeared.   No pain, however, compared to what those who are battling cancer feel.   It's nice, nonetheless, to ride with more comfort.

We brought 'Roy' out  as we crossed the state line from NC to VA and again a reminder of that fine line between lives that were and lives that are.....this trip - a link in that chain.  May this small fundraising contribution to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation make a wee difference.

Nice man visited with us at one gas station where we had a quick lunch; and Donald at another one as we approached Virginia Beach.  So many interesting people along the way - always pointing out bike trails or sites to see, places to eat....or just enjoying with us the notion of a 'great adventure!'  The spontaneity is continuous, uplifting and frankly humbling.

We are now at the hotel - on the boardwalk in Virginia Beach - we're facing the ocean with sounds of people playing in the surf in the background.  I feel especially blessed at this moment.  Bobbie and Marty may never read this blog, but I hope they know how thankful I am to be able to take this journey with them.

Our regular routine is to take the van banner off the car, hotel check in - bikes go in first, then the cart with our luggage.  Showers next or the pool if time..then email and blogs, calling kids or friends....figuring out where to have dinner.  If we are lucky we can get some laundry done; otherwise, after dinner we pack our gear for the next day and settle in for the night.  I usually go to sleep first - none of us seem to be having any trouble sleeping in all these different places and times, regardless of who is up later watching tv:) - and we get up by 6:30 am for breakfast, grabbing ice for the cooler, car re-arranging and departure by 7:30.

Orchestrating the contents of the van is an interesting event each day.  Bobbie says our organization  changes regularly, making it harder sometimes for her to find stuff at a moments notice.  We have medicine bags, sports equipment bags, cooler, food bag, office/logistics bag, everything-I-need-in-a-nano-second bag.  Luggage tends to be on the driver's side of the car and food/drink on the passenger side.  We stop briefly approximately every hour and a half for a quick drink/food replenishment or replacing a bandage (Marty looks dapper - like he's hardly ridden; I, however, have a few callouses here and there, and of course that infamous bunion which has been accommodated via the cut up shoe.  But, I'm older and therefore forgiven for these imperfections!)  With the exception of a longer break for lunch, we are in the saddle all day.

Another wonderful day!