6/30/2018 25 Comments Day 57: Jonesboro to Calais, MEWe did it! We are done! I know this to be true, but neither my head or body comprehend what it means quite yet. I know that when we got to the traffic circle in the photo above and took a few pictures, I gave Dee a hug and the tears started — and they keep coming. I started the morning with a familiar sense of anxiety, the kind of nerves I used to feel on the morning of a marathon. Why, after riding all this way, did a 55-mile day suddenly feel daunting? Just nerves. Dee said she felt similar nerves, they had kept her from sleeping much just like the night before a marathon. Marla at our Blueberry Patch Motel gave us blueberry muffins, yogurt, and coffee along with a little road intelligence — Cooper Mountain would be a doozy of a downhill. So that gave me something to worry about the first 20 miles or so — flying down a steep mountain and flipping over my bike on our last day! Our route kindly, happily turned right just after the sign to Cooper. We had a picnic at the Dennysville town office at 30 miles because there were no coffee shops or convenience stores to be had. It was one of our quietest and most remote rides of the trip. With very little traffic, we mostly had the road to ourselves. Rolling hills, thick woods, pretty streams. We kept intersecting with the Down East Sunrise Trail, which looked beautiful and flatter than our route but still gravel — so we stuck to the East Coast Greenway’s road alternative. The last 10 or so miles before Calais were our most remote as we entered the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. We got weird texts from our phones welcoming us to Canada and Dee noticed that her phone had jumped an hour ahead to Canadian time. We waved away a few black flies and rolled over a few more hills before hitting Route 1, our old friend, and Calais. We had a welcoming party in town on the St. Croix River: Sally, our long-lost driver who dropped us off eight weeks ago in Key West, and M’lyn from Rhode Island, who warmed and fed us at her house that rainy day we left Connecticut (who knows when ago). M’lyn had an “East Coast Greenway Finish Line” banner hanging for us to ride through. And the tears started again.
Watch a Relive video of the ride: https://www.relive.cc/view/1671244466?r=embed-site For eight long weeks, Dee and I have been held up by so many of you. (The tears again.) You have cheered us on with your blog comments, your “likes” and “wows.” Many of you housed us, fed us, even rode along with us and laughed at our stories. We agreed early on that your enthusiastic interest in our trip helped carry us over the rainy days and the hot days. And the days that were stunningly beautiful, we couldn’t wait to share them with you. Thank you for coming along for the ride. (Tears.) We leave you with this photo of Dee’s mother, photographed by Dee’s brother, Phil, at their home in southern England as they celebrated the end of our ride. She’s 93 and was an avid cyclist (and yogi) in her day, biking to do her errands eight miles away or so. She’s been following our trip through Dee’s texts and photos to family. Talk about inspirational. Ride on!
25 Comments
Babs
6/30/2018 04:56:02 am
Mere congratulations doesn’t adequate for this amazing achievement. I am so grateful to the both of you for allowing us to ride along with you through this awesome blog. Please continue the blog as your download your thoughts and feelings through the process of reflection on what the both of you have accomplished. Maseltov!
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Lisa
6/30/2018 12:40:02 pm
Thank you, Babs, you have been a wonderful cheerleader.
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Lisa
6/30/2018 12:40:55 pm
Thanks for being part of it, Silvia!
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Michael
6/30/2018 05:44:10 am
Somehow “congratulations “ seems inadequate! But Congratulations Dee and Lisa! Also, I was wondering if this trek was just an excuse to write a wonderful blog Lisa. 🙂
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Lisa
6/30/2018 12:39:04 pm
Thanks Michael. You’re such an insightful guy, it was all about the blog!
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Jimmy Meyer
6/30/2018 05:49:58 am
A book in the offing? Remember you have a friend who loves to edit. What an amazing accomplishment. Jealous and proud to be your friend.
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Lisa
6/30/2018 12:38:15 pm
Thanks Jimmy. You should come to the river so we can discuss this.
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Betty Bourret
6/30/2018 06:18:50 am
Congratulations! And what a wonderful photo of Dee's mother. Thank you for sharing your adventure.
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Lisa Hostetler
6/30/2018 06:42:08 am
Chills. I am so impressed and amazed and happy for you and Dee and your incredible accomplishment. 🙌
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Lisa
6/30/2018 12:37:29 pm
Thanks Lisa! Hope you’re still riding!
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Karla
6/30/2018 07:21:03 am
Really, this is entirely too much. Thank you for laying it on so thick. Looks like we're all going to have to go out and do our own bike rides now....
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Lisa
6/30/2018 12:36:16 pm
Do it. Go ride and tell us about it!
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Power Oster
6/30/2018 09:40:50 am
Tears flow out of my eyes as soon as I see Dee’s Mum with her bike. Perfect ending 💜
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Lisa
6/30/2018 12:35:25 pm
Absolutely Poyee! Time for reflection. So glad to have you on the journey!
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Cris Cusack
6/30/2018 10:24:38 am
Amazing. Just absolutely amazing. Well done, you two! I am in awe.
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Lisa
6/30/2018 12:33:51 pm
Thanks Chris!
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Brian Patrick Mulligan
6/30/2018 10:52:08 am
WOW! Awesome journey, Lisa and Dee! It has been a delight to read this blog. Congratulations on the ride and the great tales! If you don't want it to end, Day 58: Calais to Jonesboro!
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Lisa
6/30/2018 12:32:48 pm
Great idea, Brian, Day 58!! Sounds like something YOU would do! Thanks for following along.
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Virginia
6/30/2018 04:10:33 pm
YOU DID IT!!!!! BRAVOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
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Lisa
6/30/2018 04:45:06 pm
Ah Virginia thank you! You were such a big part of this ride, you were with us! Our visit to Amelia Island and NYC are big highlights...tears and laughs, great memories!
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Ellen
7/1/2018 05:22:56 pm
I started following your blog a couple of weeks into your ride, it came up on my Facebook feed. Congratulations on your outstanding trip and your enjoyable blog. I am truly inspired by the two of you. I hope to some day do the same trip. And this Fall, hoping to ride Philadelphia to DC. Thanks again and CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!
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Lisa
7/2/2018 03:26:00 am
Thanks, Ellen, glad you were along for the ride and enjoy your touring!
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Ruth
7/7/2020 06:48:40 am
Hi - I found this blog while researching the Overseas Highway part of the Greenway. I've read it in spurts while taking brain breaks from work and just wanted to let you know I loved every word and that you met so many great people on the way. I couldn't finish this without wanting to share with you how much I appreciated it. Thank you!
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Lisa
7/7/2020 07:28:00 am
Ah, Ruth, thank you! Glad you found this blog and I really appreciate your taking the time to send a note! Happy miles!
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