Day 43: Marlborough, MA to Tyngsborough, MA

June 9, 2017

We had a shorter ride today, only 40 miles, which I liked. We started with a pretty good climb, but there was a good view at the top.

This view was our reward for a climb this morning.

These stone walls are everywhere in Massachusetts.

Our first stop was in Harvard where we found a cool bike shop in the basement of the Harvard General Store.

Craig at his shop, CK Bikes, in Harvard, MA

We went through Ayer, MA where Kerry was stationed at Ft. Devens in 1976. Ft. Devens closed in 1996 and is now a business and residential community. We always thought it looked more like a college campus than a military post. We rode around and took some pictures of places we remembered.

The parade field with classroom buildings in the background

Kerry's classroom building at Ft. Devens

Officers' housing. They called this "Colonel's Row".

We also found the apartment we lived in. The furniture store in the front of the building is gone, but the apartments in the back are still there. The sub shop next door where we used to get delicious crab meat subs is gone. There is a big new fire station there now.

This was Miller's Furniture store in 1976.

I'm not sure about the carpet, but I think it's the same wallpaper from 40 years ago.

From Ayer, we rode the Nashua River Rail Trail a few miles to Groton.

The Nashua River Rail Trail outside Ayer.

A beaver lodge along the Nashua River Rail Trail

From Groton, we were on roads through Dunstable to Tyngsboro. The roads are getting busier, but all the motorists have been politely sharing the road with us. People will stop and let us turn or cross an intersection. I don't remember any motorists being that polite to each other when we lived here. I recall Massachusetts drivers as the worst of any place we've lived. Either people have gotten more patient here or they are just nicer to cyclists than other drivers.

Tonight we're in an Airbnb. I just started using Airbnb last summer and have been happy with almost all of them. This place is great. We have very large, well furnished two room suite will all the amenities for $25 less than the just adequate Quality Inn last night. We're on a lake and they have kayaks to use, but I think we'll skip that. We've had enough exercise for today.

Tomorrow we reach state #12, New Hampshire. Maybe there'll be a sign to mark our entry.

Today's ride: 41 miles (66 km)
Total: 1,833 miles (2,950 km)

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