001: And we are off!!! Rehoboth Beach to Blackbird Forest Park Delaware.

Marius took us to Rehoboth Beach DE on Thursday, April 8.

We checked into a hotel about 5 miles from the beach and that allowed Christine and I to cycle along the Breakwater and Junction Trail on Thursday afternoon to get a feel for our bikes and to calm the nerves.

We have never attempted a trip like this and as the day neared, the calm and meticulous planning gave way to worries about fitness and taking either too much or too little stuff. 

Anyway, Friday arrived and after a photoshoot at the hotel entrance, we were off - loaded with food for "a month," camping gear, and two sets of clothes each. 

We had to stop at the beach for the "tire-dip" (Len is an expert photographer), and we cycled to Gordon's Pond and Cape Henlopen. 

 We had our breakfast (Due to COVID-measures the hotel provided bagged breakfasts only) at the outlook in Gordon's Pond and enjoyed the gun displays at Fort Miles. It must have been fascinating to sit there and guard against possible incursions from so far away. Today's technology rendered these protection  measures redundant. 

From Lewes we followed the Lewes-Georgetown Rail Trail. We were so happy to see the displays that some homeowners made to welcome the trail users. While the trail is in great shape and the developers did a great job to include information of the history of the trail, some work still needs to be done. We trust the communities will garner the support to also complete the "missing links." 

 From here we headed to the Dog Fish Brewery in Milton DE where Roz, her daughter and granddaughter hosted us to a perfect lunch. 

Having enjoyed the good beer, food and company, Christine set off in a bubble of happiness. This slowly changed as we cycled through the next about 30 miles. Tiredness set in and this old man realised that working in the garden and looking after grandkids does not make you fit for a bicycle ride. :):):)

 

By the time we reached Killens Pond State Park I was bone tired, but we did 50 miles on a day when we planned for 40. The tot of Fireball made me forget the tiredness though.

We had an early night and a late morning and were on the road again at around 11:30 - a very late start - but the bones did not want to move at the speed we were used to.

Today we completed 37 miles past Dover and Smyrna and are camping in the Blackbird State Forest. We had a short 4-mile long rail trail at Killens Pond and  from there it was mostly on the road. It was great to see that the State of Delaware already provides so many miles of wide road shoulders and marked cycle paths on road shoulders. It takes a lot of the risk and personal worry out of cycling.

  We also had our first lunch break, chicken tenders and Coke, along Route 13 DE. 

We were tempted to have some ribs as well, but it was still too early for dinner. 

Our camp site is great, but down the road there are some noisy campers. 

It is now time to sign off and put the lights out. Thank you, God, for a wonderful day and thank you for peace. May you all be blessed. Christine is sleeping already.