Got on the trail in Hancock at a leisurely 9:30 am this morning. The B&B life is a good one for travelers and I am glad I am not doing so many miles per day that I cannot really enjoy the inns I am staying in. I have typically arrived in my towns about 3-4 pm, showered, walked around some to see the town and use a few different muscles, and then had dinner. I mentioned "small town America" in a previous blog and this ride is giving me increased awareness of how this economy is hitting small towns -- in a way not quite so obvious in NJ. Every one of these towns has next to nothing going on and their Main Streets are like an old string of Christmas lights, with every other bulb out. I gather that with a car I could find more restaurants about 10 miles away, but within walking distance, I have two choices -- a pizza/Italian place or a Sheets convenience strore. OK; one choice.
Innkeepers tend to be chatty and personable. I am always interested in how long they have been innkeeping. A recent survey of innkeepers showed that the highest percentage of innkeepers got into it after taking early retirement deals from their companies. I usually ask if they have hosted any celebrities. Most have, but they are vague about whom. I also ask for 'worst guest' stories. Some are doozies. The man who built an altar to his dead parents on the mantle and tucked his teddy bear in the bedcovers stands out. As does the high-strung businessman who could not get into a real hotel and acted like a petulant child while his amazingly sweet wife made gracious conversation with other guests and lingered over coffee, presumably to torture him further.
My trip appears to be in between Summer Season and Leaf-Peeping Season -- only one B&B was full. Tonight I am the only guest. Most of the B&B guests have been retired people wandering somewhat aimlessly without a solid itinerary. For that matter, the age curve for the other people I see bike touring skews to the right; lots of grey hair. Guess they are the ones with time.
Breakfast has always been my favorite meal. I think B&Bs compete with each other based on breakfast. All I can say is good thing I am burning thousands of calories a day!
The ride today can be best summarized as, ride a couple miles under heavy growth, see an aqueduct or lock, repeat over and over. It is, after all, a towpath. More of the same tomorrow, but sounds like rain will change it up. My prize today for all that riding was to see a huge barred owl up in the trees. He stopped Terry and I in our tracks with his hoots as we were passing by and we had to locate him. Got a fair picture of him, but not one the blog can pick up.
My trip appears to be in between Summer Season and Leaf-Peeping Season -- only one B&B was full. Tonight I am the only guest. Most of the B&B guests have been retired people wandering somewhat aimlessly without a solid itinerary. For that matter, the age curve for the other people I see bike touring skews to the right; lots of grey hair. Guess they are the ones with time.
Breakfast has always been my favorite meal. I think B&Bs compete with each other based on breakfast. All I can say is good thing I am burning thousands of calories a day!
The ride today can be best summarized as, ride a couple miles under heavy growth, see an aqueduct or lock, repeat over and over. It is, after all, a towpath. More of the same tomorrow, but sounds like rain will change it up. My prize today for all that riding was to see a huge barred owl up in the trees. He stopped Terry and I in our tracks with his hoots as we were passing by and we had to locate him. Got a fair picture of him, but not one the blog can pick up.
Sorry about using this pic below twice. It was a mistake but the stupid app will not let me delete it!