Days 44 & xx*: Rest day, then Lincoln, RI to South Dartmouth, MA

Leavjng Providence on the Greenway: Dee, Sabra, Mark, Kristen, Linda and Poyee

After a delightful rest day at Sally and Dee’s in Lincoln, Sally sent us off this morning with an amazing spread of food and the company of more than a dozen friends that she welcomed for breakfast.

​In fine Forrest Gump fashion, seven of us biked away from Dee and Sally’s house bound for Providence and the start of the East Bay Bike Path.

The day was sparkling, it couldn’t have been more beautiful — the air dry, the sun bright, the smells of flowers and saltwater sweet and strong. The East Bay Bike Path was as stunning as ever — I’ve biked it a few times over the last 25 years or so and if remains a favorite, with pretty views of Narragansett Bay and tidal ponds.

​We said goodbye to Sabra and Linda at Warren, where we left the bike path and headed east for Massachusetts (state 13!) and Fall River.

Our picnic in Fall River at mile 25 featured morning glory muffins and other snacks from Sally

The rest of today’s 50 miles were mostly on quiet roads taking us through Westport to South Dartmouth, just west of New Bedford. We are following the Greenway’s complementary route to Boston via Cape Cod. Riding with us the next few days are Mark Neylon, a friend of 35 years from my UMass days, and Poyee Oster, a running and yoga friend of Dee’s.

The four of us are staying at the home of Mary and Peter Kavanaugh. It’s a gorgeous place looking out over the river to the village of Padanaram. Mary is the sister of Joan Fontaine, a friend of Mark’s and mine from college. Mark and I visited the Fontaine house in New Bedford a few times in college and after.

Peter and Mary drove us into New Bedford tonight for dinner, sparking memories from three decades ago that are good for my brain, I’m sure. I love the interconnections: Mary went to Providence College, where Dee taught for decades. And while telling stories over dinner, I realized it was Peter’s connection that helped me land my first job out of college at the US Yacht Racing Union in Newport, RI.

It’s a small world. I’m grateful for all the opportunities I’m having on this trip to connect the dots of my past. Along with all the new friends we’ve made, it’s a heady, rich experience.

Dinner at Moby Dick with Mary and Peter and the view from their backyard (below)

A highlight of our day off yesterday was an 8 am yoga class on the dock at India Point, taught by JoEllen Hockenbrough of Providence Power Yoga. It was yet another beautiful day. More than sixty of us gathered at the river to stretch, breathe, and feel the sunshine on our faces. A few years ago JoEllen led a PPY yoga retreat in Costa Rica that I tagged along on with Dee and Sally, so it was fun to see her again — and my hips and IT bands appreciated her class.

* Our friend Barb Amodio in Connecticut suggested that we skip the day number that comes after 44 in protest of our nation’s current leadership. We thought she made a good point.