Day 13- Winchester, VA to Mt. Crawford, VA

Today was extremely windy, very frustrating to try to ride into them.

I stayed with a cool couple and their dogs, cats and chickens.

Took forever to make my 73 miles.

Day 12- Shippensburg, PA to Winchester, VA

Chris and his friend took me out to breakfast before I left. He swore by pancakes for his trip so I tried it. It was cold so I left around 9:30.

I crossed into Maryland, crossed the Mason Dixon line.
Had lunch at Pizza Hut and asked the waitress if they consider themselves Southerners. She said no.

I was in 4 states today! Pancakes did me well.

I couldn't find a host tonight so I stayed at a budget motel.

Day 11- Dauphin, PA to Shippensburg, PA

I was still super tired this morning so I slept in. I left around 10:30. I had to ride on part of the 322 Highway which was pretty calm. The traffic around Harrisburg was doable but not particularly pleasant or scenic. I was glad to get out towards cow country, which I was pleased to still see lots of agriculture. I had sunshine today!!!

I stopped by Dickinson College in Carlisle to take a picture for my good friend Rick who attended there.

I didn't really have a plan for where to sleep tonight because there were no nearby hosts on WarmShowers. I emailed several people on Facebook and nobody bit.

I had planned to do a few more miles but someone called out to me and told me to stop. Chris introduced himself by saying he had ridden across the southern tier in 1996. He offered for me to stay with him and his wife. We had dinner and he told some stories about the Amish. Many laughs. I have the camper in the driveway all to myself.

Day 10- Hughesville, PA to Dauphin, PA

Hope dropped me off at the same gas station from which she had picked me up. We said our goodbyes and I got on my way.

Today was one of the easier rides so far. I made decent time and my legs felt good and well rested. I followed the Susquehanna River all day. Beautiful.

I passed an Amish buggy while riding today! It was so awesome to smoke by a horse-drawn carriage on my little bike. It felt like super slow drag racing. I'll never forget it.

Grant, my WarmShowers host, came out to meet me and rode the last 10 miles with me to his house. He gets extra points.

He and his wife had 2 very enthusiastic boys who had gone touring with their parents. No TV, my kind of family. They also hosted 2 students from Korea for the year. And somehow managed to find room for me.

We had pulled pork tacos which were very good. And brownies and ice cream. They told me about their tours of the Outer Banks and from PA to Maine. 

Day 9- Towanda, PA to Hughesville, PA & Rest Day in LHU

I got up late and had forgotten to charge my Ipod. I had only ridden 15 miles and stopped for lunch. These hills were killer.

The hills finally ceased and I had a 3.5 mile descent which was wicked fun. I was ready to have a break.

I called my friend Hope and she picked me up in Hughesville and took me to Lock Haven.

We made dinner for her boyfriend. The next day while she slept (she works nights), I visited some former professors and bought post cards at the LHU gift shop.

Then we had soft pretzels!, ice cream and parmesan peppercorn wings! What a way to spend a day off the bike.

We had dinner again and I prepared the next leg of my journey.

Day 8- Binghamton, NY to Towanda, PA

I started the day with breakfast that Laurie prepared for me. Delicious. It was a brisk 38 so I hung around a little til it warmed up.

I tried to find post cards to send back to NH and they were almost nowhere to be found. I tried about 8 places with no luck. Then I got to Oswego NY which didn't even carry them in their gift store. I finally found some at a bookstore only open 2 Sundays a month. Whew!

I followed the river into Pennsylvania, as oppossed to cutting across the state game lands. There's a reason the pioneers followed the river. More access to civilization and less ardous hills to climb, my reasons too.

There's major construction in this area due to the frakking of the Marchellus Shale and there was no shortage of big vehicles on these narrow roads.

I got a call from my LHU friend, Joe and pulled over to call him back. Then I heard my name being called. He gave me directions to his house, actually 9 miles past Towanda and it started the rain. I climbed several more good sized hills and finally arrived at his house soaking.

Fortunately, I was able to have a shower right away and warm up. The evening was spent talking and watching TV with Joe, his mom Dawn and girlfriend, Amy. Oh yeah, cheesesteak for dinner!

Day 7- Oneonta, NY to Binghamton, NY

Today was a miracle! I got up, checked out of the hotel and walked the 1 mile to the local bike shop. I knocked on the back door and fortunately the mechanic was there!!
I explained my issue and he took my tire apart. Eventually, after combing over my tire, found the glass wedged in it.
He installed the new one I carried with me, along with a mirror because I had broken mine.
He took me up to a little breakfast place and had the owner give me breakfast for FREE!
Huge thanks to Ed at Alpine Ski Hut and Dave at Latte Lounge in Oneonta.
I finally got on the road around 11:30. I called a contact from warmshowers and was good to go.
I got a little lost around Binghamton, but finally found the place I was staying thanks to Jay and JJ for Blind Tiger Bar in Endwell.
Roy and Laurie served an excellent dinner of artichoke heart wrapped in chicken, baked potato and broccoli. We had fun conversation about our various adventures. Good times.

Here's the culprit!

Notice: "City of the Hills"