In NYC we started cycling the East Coast Greenway. We’re still on it in the state of Massachusetts, the spirit of America. It’s a nice trail with a lot of variety. Soon we will be in Maine where we will cross the border to Canada and enter New Brunswick.
Before we leave Boston we visit Quincy Market. It used to be one of the largest market complexes built in the US in the first half of the 19th century. Some of Boston's early slave auctions were held here. Nowadays it’s a place with a lot of food, tourists and some live musicians. The vibes are nice!
We have some more rest days in Nahant. It’s situated on a peninsula consisting of two near-islands connected to the mainland by a narrow sandy isthmus called "Nahant Road”. On one side we see the skyline of Boston and on the other side there’s a nice beach.
"Live free or die"
After Massachusetts we enter New Hampshire. The 4th state of the US we’re cycling in. The slogan is “Live free or die”. It sounds a bit funny, but we can relate to it. We love the freedom we are living in. The only certainty we have, is that we will be cycling at least 5 days a week. That’s the progress we want to achieve to cycle the whole world. But we can also have a week off or a month or maybe more. Actually, we don’t have any certainties. As long as we stay healthy we keep on traveling.
Maine
The 5th state of the United States. Maine’s slogan is “Vacationland”. But we have also seen license plates with “A national treasure” and “Lobster” on it. Don’t leave Maine until you’ve tasted lobster. That’s what all the people tell us. And near Belfast they even say where to go: Young’s is the place to be.
Did you know: during colonial days lobsters were plentiful and were the food for the poor? The coast of Maine has a lot of lobster. Long Island Sound (the waters between NYC and Connecticut) used to have a great amount too, but the water temperature has gone up and the lobster doesn’t like the heat.
*Pemaquid Point ligthouse in Maine
Memories
We’re crossing the Penobscot Narrows Observatory in Bucksport to get to Jeff in Ellsworth. He’s our oldest Warmshowers’ host so far. He’s witty and lovable. This is a short phrase of a nice song he wanted to share with us. It reminds him of world touring. Maybe one day we can use it in one of our clips.
* The tallest observatory in the world
Reach out your hand if your cup be empty
If your cup is full, may it be again
Let it be known there is a fountain
That was not made by the hands of men
There is a road, no simple highway
Between the dawn and the dark of night
And if you go, no one may follow
The path is for your steps alone
A trail of 140 km passing through woods, marshlands and coastal villages leads us to the border of Canada. Mr Blue Sky and especially Mrs Sunshine are having their best time of their lives. The marshland is beautiful. The trail is car free and the gravel is easy to handle except for some sandy parts and the crossings.
Hope to see you again!
When we finish the trail and enter Canada we receive a message from Jeff.
Dear Ben & Linda,
I am glad to hear from you, for my home has not been the same without your earnest and cheerful spirits to enliven it.
And now you are pushing West, encountering new sights and sounds, smells and tastes, new creatures great and small, new members of your own species, new foods and new drinks, new problems, new joys, new adventures.
Bravo!
Thank you Jeff, Arend and Kristen, Matthew, Mike and Jenny, Jay and Lara, Dan and Jordan, Tom and Bonnie, Thom and Katie, Jeff and Sarah and Robert.