We really enjoyed a little respite from biking as we celebrated Independence Day with Trudi’s brother Terry and his friend Jane at Terry’s cabin in Parsonsfield, ME, and we also had a chance to tour the site of a new cabin Terry is building not too far away in Cornish.

Yesterday’s ride from Waldoboro to Bath, ME took me over 7 hours (Bike Trip Day 6). It was brutal and I was pretty tired at day’s end. The temperature hit a high of 86, the backroads my route took me on were very hilly and had no shoulder. (I saw several signs that said things like “Dangerous Intersection” and “Dangerous Curve.” Yipes!) Many sections of the main roads were under construction, with lots of damage on the yet-to-be-paved shoulder and a 2-3″ gap to get on to the main road. I was also “greeted” by two barking dogs that I believe were Rottweilers, who never stopped barking or growling as they came over to sniff me. I wasn’t sure I understood their intentions, but fortunately their owner came out of her house hollering at them to come home and they did. I was reminded of a Rottweiler who bit the hand that fed him, my Uncle Bob’s, some years back. As I recall, Bob forgave the dog and chalked it up to an unfortunate misunderstanding. And this apparently hasn’t crushed Uncle Bob’s spirit. He is 91 now and still lifts weights twice a week.

One high point on yesterday’s ride was this place in Nobleboro, Maine, which reminded me of our good friend Jim P. Those of you who know Jim P. will know what I am talking about. Those of you who don’t–you should! I am not sure what the distinction is between “olde books” and “old bottles,” but I am sure Jim would know.

Large unidentified mushroom in a cemetery off of Sheepscot Road. I did not try to eat it.

That’s all for now–I’m saving up a story I think you’ll find interesting from a dinner Trudi and I had last night (7/5). She’s on her way back to Minnesota now. Stay tuned.