Saturday, August 31...We are Family (Sister Sledge)


   It was a slow moving morning, no sightseeing planned.   Kim and I had always planned to leave on Saturday; it was just a matter of what time....we left about 1 p.m. after plotting our route and finding a campground. Technically we’re on our way home now, riding where we’ve already ridden but on our way to that last state.

   The others have an early plane to catch in the morning.  I think it leaves in the 5 a.m. range so they’ll be up a couple of hours before that to drive to the airport, return a rental, etc.  At least traffic shouldn’t be a major issue for them at that time of the morning. 😎
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   About 60 miles into New Hampshire I saw a bear alongside the highway.  Just standing there on all 4 feet looking out at the traffic probably wondering what all the hurry was about.  Alas, no picture as the traffic was moving too fast.  Best I could do was call Kim and say, “Bear...bear...did you see the bear?”  He hadn’t.
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   We’ve been so busy this week that I really hadn’t taken the time to look at a possible route home.  Of course, we had to head somewhat north because of Vermont.  But a cousin lives in Laconia, NH and we needed to make contact about possibly getting together.  If and when that happened would impact our route and where we’d stop for the night.  Turns out that wasn’t the only thing that impacted our camping plans.  It’s Saturday of Labor Day weekend...a lot of campgrounds either didn’t have availability or wanted a 3 night commitment.  This was simply bad planning on my part...didn’t even think about the 3 day weekend.  Doh!!
   I made several calls to no avail then hit the jackpot on call number four....a very friendly woman answered and I asked about cabins.  The cabins weren’t available but there were some open RV/tent sites.  Yippee skippee! We found a campground!  By the time we got done with the phone conversation I felt like I was her new best friend.  When we to the campground, she was on her way back from the pool on a golf cart dressed in pool clothes and holding a beer.  Very friendly and guessed from our phone conversation that we were Kim and Karen from Michigan.  That impressed me.  Told us to just pick out a site and then come pay her.  We did that and I walked up to pay.  Stepped into office and when she saw me asked, “Who are you?” 
   Hmmmm, seems that we were no longer best friends....or maybe that wasn’t the first beer of the day. 😏
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   We set up camp and Kim called John to see if they were available either tonight or tomorrow morning.  Tonight worked for them and they made a plan to meet at 6 p.m. at Fero’s Italian Grille which happened to be less than a ½ mile from us.  Oh, good, we can walk. 
   John and Judy pulled in right ahead of our arrival.  Jeremy, Judy’s son, checked the sign on the door...Closed for the Season.  Well, darn!  So John suggested another place and we hopped in their van for the ride there.  So glad we didn’t try walking because Patrick’s Pub and Eatery was more like 7 miles away.  Good for the Fitbit steps, bad for every other reason. 
   The staff predicted a 30 minute wait which we figured was better than the wait at Fero’s...they don’t re-open until May.  Eventually got a seat and enjoyed the food and the company.  Then John gave us a ride back to the campground.  I carried my selfie stick with me to document our time together with a selfie but completely forgot about it. Kim mentioned it as we were getting out of the car at the campground so John, Judy and Jeremy good naturedly got out of the car for a picture.  Then they left to go home and we walked back to our campsite. 
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   The temperature cooled slightly as we headed north into New Hampshire but it didn't really get cold.  A light jacket felt good when moving but it was a bit much when off the bike. 
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   Chigger update:  I have been itch free since Thursday...so maybe 8 days after it all started it seems to be over.  Thank goodness!!  All that’s left are some minor welts and scabs from where I scratched a bit too much.  It took longer than my research indicated but I’ll take it.
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   It’s only 9:15 p.m. and I’m tired.  Time for bed!
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Saturday’s miles: 114
Total: 2,271 miles

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