"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."
-T. S. Eliot, texted to me by Ericka Warren
"Worship is not just what I do at church -- worship is what I do."
-Rick Warren
"And I suppose that if all the other things Jesus did were written down, the whole world could not contain the books."
-John 21:25
"Wow! I believe all those books are in heaven . . . and if they aren't, I'll ask Jesus!"
-Barry
We're in Maine, less than 23 miles from Old Orchard Beach where we'll put our front tires in the Atlantic. I can smell the ocean already! Needless to say, I am thoroughly excited and a bit overwhelmed. We are with Sarah and Barry in Portland (Maine) for tonight and tomorrow night. We'll do some sightseeing and eating before we head Boston on Sunday. I think Paul Miller is going to meet us in Boston and be our guide to good food and sightseeing. We are looking forward to seeing him and having a super weekend.
Jonathan and I started pedaling around 7:00 A. M. and arrived in Sanford at 12:05 this afternoon just in time to meet Margaret at Jerry's Cafe. We pedaled 63 miles today. After we ate lunch we packed up the bikes and gear and headed to Portland.
The roads today ranged from extremely smooth to brutal! We are not sure whether or not to award the Worst Roads Award to Illinois or New Hamphire. Even Maine gave us some major craters!
Our license plate count went up by one today. We found a New Hampshire tag. We also found a Maine tag but it was so beat up we didn't take it. We are getting picky, aren't we? We still need Idaho, Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Maine!
This evening we ate at "the good table restaurant" in Cape Elizabeth. We had the best time of any meal on the ride. The owner, Lisa Kostopoulos, and our waitress, Mellissa were absolutely the best anywhere. Lisa kept checking on us and talked with us about our trip. (Barry had to correct her New England pronunciation of Vidalia.) Mellissa kept us in stitches while she served our table like we were the only people there. And . . . to top things off, the food was incredibly good! If you ever get to Cape Elizabeth, Maine, you must eat at "the good table."
I believe the reason we had such a great time is that Lisa and Mellissa love people. I'm sure business is important to them but I came away feeling like we really mattered. It seemed important to them that we had not just a meal but an enjoyable dining experience. We did! Lisa and Mellissa made our day and we want to say thank you!
When I think back over this evening's experience it all reminds me of Romans 12:9-11, "Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy in your work, but serve the lord enthusiastically."
People from all professional backgrounds could learn much hanging around "the good table." The folks there love what they do and do what they love!
It shows!
Oh . . . the bottles on the table? Root beer!
23 miles, you could ride that on bare rims. I'm guessing those improved tires you bought back in Ohio must be performing as advertised (or you just got tired of writing about flats). You guys are truly my heros. As Dizzy Dean was quoted "If you've done it, it ain't braggin." I would wear a bicycling helmet with 4295 painted in day-glo on it whenever I left the house. Bring the Cannondale home and hang it on the wall next to the canoe. Its earned a decent retirement.
ReplyDeleteBarry and Margaret,
ReplyDeleteThought about you tonight - went to a "Freedom Celebration" concertat Beech Haven. Lots of great pictures of America (reminded me of your blog and all the great pictures. The music was good, too - I get teary-eyed when I hear soome of those patriotic songs. Glad you are going to get to see Paul in Boston. Olan and I have missed seeing you on Thursdays. Will be thinking of you tomorrow as you reach the Atlantic and fulfill your dream. Glad you had a plan and it worked. Game Plan
I am excited for you. I have thoroughly enjoyed keeping up with you during the ride. I am looking forward to you being back here with us. We have missed you all. Sooooon, Reg
ReplyDeleteWhat am I am going to do now after I get up and grab my morning coffee? Read my e mails from Ingles' Advantage and Kirkland's?? I don't think so.
ReplyDeleteYou've got to think of someplace else to go or just continue blogging your days wherever you are.
You have no idea how many of our conversations the last 2 months have been about you and this trip. Thank you for letting us follow you day by day and get to know that part of the country a little better. I have felt like I have ridden along with you and Jonathan...just without the wind, the rain, and potholes.
Oh, by the way, while you were gone Molly got into UGA Pharmacy School, Craig got engaged, and Rachel and Joel's son (and more importantly our grandson) Ian delights us as he gets bigger and even more adorable.
We do look forward to that meal at our house with you and Margaret.
I would suggest you be extra careful while you are in Maine. Dip your bike tires and run. I have just learned that many of Stephen King's books are set in Maine. Do NOT - I repeat, do NOT - stay in any motels or get around any strange cars or talk to any unusual looking evil clowns. Evil clowns will not only eat children, they will also eat college-age students and gray haired people. I do not like clowns and am doing my best to drive all clowns out of America. My plan is to send them to Canada to eat some of the Canadians.
ReplyDeleteAfter ALL Of her hard work as the "Captain" and meal/lodging/events coordinator of your trip, how very cool that Maine named a street after Margaret. That is awesome. You'd think after all of her hard work, they could at least name a COUNTY after her, but we will take a street name for now. I think after all of Burr's hard work pedaling and following Captain Margaret's orders, you should get the 51st state named after you. The state could be named after Burr and perhaps the state capitol after Jonathan. However, 50 is indeed a nice even number and gives us 100 even Senators...why don't we just lop off California, let them slide into the Pacific, and divide one of the other larger states into two or three to keep things even. There could be three states in the Dakotas: North Dakota, South Dakota and Burr Dakota. Wentworth, Burr Dakota has a nice ring for a state capitol. We could do that with the Carolinas, but things are in a mess there now with that Governor in South Carolina. Burr doesn't deserve to be drug into a scandal after so many years of an impeccable testimony.
ReplyDeleteToday's the day. We rejoice with you in the fulfillment of this long-time dream. You are "the man" Burr and the Doroughs sure do love y'all (for our Yankee friends, y'all is a plural Southern word for you)!
P.S. I think I have discovered the perect job for our amigo Todd Robert Anders after reading all these blog comments...Todd could teach creative writing classes in an insane asylum. I know how to find Central State Hospital in Milledgeville, GA! Besides, that would get Summer and the kiddos back to Georgia, which is everyone's goal anyway. :-) If Todd didn't like Milledgeville, he could go back to Kentucky, but Summer and the kiddos are staying in Georgia. Waddaya think?
ReplyDeleteIt was really great having dinner with you all in Findlay, Ohio last week. It has been so much fun reading your blog every day and just as much fun reading some of the comments. I will really miss it. I agree with the lady who said you should continue blogging after you get home. And I want a copy of the book if that happens, too. Hope to see you all in August when I take Josh to Florida for school.
ReplyDeleteLove you,
Cathi