Day 49 - Last Full Day's Ride

Today we sadly ended our brief stay in Vermont to journey through the lovely hills of New Hampshire.   From Brattleboro, VT to Manchester, NH we biked, 77 miles of mostly winding, beautiful roads lined with Mother Nature's loveliest shades of green.

After only one mile, we found ourselves, with all the other bikers, at the "Welcome to New Hampshire" sign, the last state to be entered on our bicycle journey.  Because the sign was so soon into the journey, most of us were not spread out over several miles, as usual, but all together, awaiting a turn for this last state photo op.  Here's a picture of the waiting line, followed by one that was the reward for the wait.

 

Around the town of Antrim, we came across a very quiet lake and the dam/waterfall which formed the lake.  It was so gorgeous, we had to share the quiet solitude with you.

We stopped for ice cream (again) in the small town of Greenfield, and followed that with a regular SAG stop at our support vehicles in Francestown.  Our new friend Gardner was met here by friends who ride on Honda GoldWing motorcycles.  They were kind enough to let me sit on the back seat of one.  I found it to be much more comfortable than a bicycle seat!

The small town of  Francestown was established in 1772, and there are still buildings reminiscent of yesteryear in the town's center.   On one side was the former church, which stood next to a long row of stalls which were used to house carriages in days gone by.

Across the street was the Olde Meeting Hall, which was the grandest piece of architecture in the entire town.

Lastly, here are shots of the Oregon 4 from today.  Myself, Greg and Don at a SAG stop, and Drew on the road.  A perfect day!  The rain even waited 'till we were safely inside the motel!

 

Tomorrow - Last Day and Tire Dip in the Atlantic Ocean.  We will be met outside the coastal town of Portsmouth, NH by a police escort, taken to the beach, dip our tires and say our goodbyes.  One more entry to this blog, hopefully tomorrow after that last ride and event.