The day started riding from The Hillside Campground just outside of Clinton, OH. I rode on rodes with a few hills for several miles to a trailhead that lead me to Orrville. I stopped at the Post Office there to send a few items home, and then went a block away to Mrs. J's Diner for second breakfast. I sat at the counter beside Dave, a semiretired guy who worked with his daughter at a pet grooming shop. On the other side of me was Luis, Mexican born owner/operator of the local Mexican restaurant. I heard his life story.
Later, along the back roads of Amish country, I encountered this little Amish Market.. They were celebrating a small textile business across the road. I made sure to spend some money there and talk with several of the venders.
Once I got on a trail, they were paved and well maintained, I figured out that half the trail was for horse and buggy, the other half for bicycles. Oh, and many, many bicyclist were Amish folks riding bikes with two cargo boxes on eith side of the rear wheel.
This picture does not do the reality of it justice. I had ridden a mile and a half up and up and up to get to Turkey Hollow Campground. When I got there, this was the view of the campground down below. The road down was made up of loose, 2 inch diameter rocks. I only fell once as I eased down the switchback road.
Fortunately, there was a couple that had been camped there with their camp trailer and a beagle hound in training. Amy and Gary were very gracious, brought me cold water, later a bear and we sat and told stories for quite a while. The next morning, Gary brought me coffee as I was packing up so that we could load my bike and bags into his pickup and drive me to the road above. It's so fun making new friends. I'll always remember their kindness.
Today's ride: 45 miles (72 km) Total: 1,405 miles (2,261 km)
