Tuscarawas River

I got up early and enjoyed my first cup of coffee while watching the sunrise. This was a beautiful spot along the Conotton Creek trail. The pond had lots of wild life. Particularly geese and herons.

I only had 8 more miles of this awesome trail left. It is only 12 miles long. I think it is pretty new or at least the asphalt was brand new. There is 6 bridges on it, and every one is a covered bridge.

I was sad the end of this trail was so close. It has been a great trail through beautiful scenery. Even a few large marshes that were full of waterfowl.

In a small town which I am not going to name I stopped at a gas station for coffee and a breakfast sandwich. (Thanks to so many generous people!) I’m not sure if the town was tranquil or listless,but nobody was in a hurry. I asked at the register if they had breakfast sandwiches. The warmer oven was empty but had stickers on it saying several different kinds were available. They even had a 2 for $4 special which I said ill take. They said they would have it for me in a minute. The cashier had already rang up my coffee but now she had to wait until the sandwiches were done so she could ring them up as well. I asked if I should move so every one in line behind me could check out. No, it will just be a minute she said. She then pulled out a folding camp chair unfolded it and sat down. After several minutes I turned to the growing line behind me and said I’m sorry for holding everybody up this morning. Not one person replied. As a matter of fact not so much as a head nodded to indicate that I had spoken. Every one continued to stare lackadaisically at the potato chip rack. 7 minutes later with 10 people lined up behind me I received my sandwich. 1 sandwich not the 2 for $4. It was so hot you couldn’t even touch the paper wrapper. I went out to my bike, put my coffee in the drink holder hooked the bag with the sandwich over the bars and headed back through town to the trail. I was a bit unnerved by the oddness of the situation and just wanted to be back in the woods. I hadn’t made it two blocks when the sandwich melted through the grocery bag and hit the road. Traffic was pretty steady and there were vehicles parked along the curb so I wasn’t able to stop immediately. When it was safe I put my bike on the sidewalk and went back. I needn’t of worried though, traffic was stopped in both directions on each side of my sandwich. The vehicles occupants staring impassively out there windshields at it. I ran out into the street and grabbed it smiling and waveing. In those few seconds I’m pretty sure I showed more alacrity and exuberance then that town has seen in a long time. I got back to the trail to a picnic table and sat down to eat. The sandwich was still so hot the cheese was dripping out like water. It was delicious!

The end of the Conotton Trail was Bowserton then it was a 20 mile road ride to New Philadelphia. I did have to push twice on some really steep gravel roads but it was a very enjoyable ride today. The terrain is slowly changing. The small farms are getting bigger. The rows of corn and soybeans are getting longer. The hills are becoming farther apart. Ernest Hemingway said “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle”.

I crossed the North Country Trail a few times today. I saw blue blazes on some of the trees on a gravel road. I had to Google it just to make sure. I hiked most the Pa. section of that trail. It is one of the longest trails, stretching from North Dakota to Vermont. Blazes for hiking trails are a uniform size 2″x6″ and I guess I have spent enough months always looking for the next one that they jump out at me wherever I go. Here is two on a sign indicating a right turn.

I got into New Philadelphia around 6pm. I hadn’t ate since my sandwich this morning and even though eating out twice in one day seemed really self indulgent I couldn’t pass up the Road House I could smell the steak from a half mile away. So again I have to thank everybody who contributed to my trip through the coffee fund. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I got a prime rib and a sweet potatoe. It was delicious. One of the most memorable steaks I’ve had. It was right up there with the Choice Ribeye I used to get at the Sunnyway in Greencastle Pa. Those were hard to beat. Those guys in the meat room there really know there stuff and I find I always compare my purchases with there superior meat products.

I’m along the Tuscarawas River tonight. A little bit out of town. I need to look at a map to see where I’m going tomorrow but im getting too sleepy. I’ll figure it out in the morning I guess.