Pocomoke City to Onancock

We got up early this morning and got packed.  After a quick breakfast in the hotel we started out in a foggy overcast morning.  It was cool enough for jackets and long pants and we of course had a head wind.  The direct route was straight down hwy 13 but we laid out a cross country route and after 3 or 4 miles we turned off busy 13 onto the serene back roads of Maryland.  The ride was quiet and pretty uneventful with the exception of the wind.  Today it was another head wind.  Not as bad as past days but enough to put an edge on the ride.  Still, the thirty miles rolled by and before lunch we turned into the Inn & Garden Café in Onancock.

Since we did not make it to the coast as planned on our bike trip we jumped in the truck and took off for Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge about 40 miles away on the ocean.  We spent the afternoon walking the beach an of course, everyone now: S H O P P I N G.  At least this time we did not have to haul it on the bike.  We ended the night with a great supper at the Inn.

We ate breakfast at the Inn and packed to leave.  By 9:15 we were pulling out.  Just before crossing the Chesapeake Bay Tunnel Bridge we decided to stop in Cape Charles for one last look.  After spending some time walking the beach and the boardwalk we reluctantly climbed in the truck and headed for home.  500 miles later it was back to the real world.

 Getting ready to leave, too bad we are heading the other direction.

 A pond on our back roads.

Riding the rails in Parksley.

Coming into Onancock.

Walking the beach in Chincoteague.

The boardwalk in Chincoteague.

The boardwalk in Cape Charles.

Cape Charles

The Chesapeake Bay Tunnel Bridge in the distance through the truck window.

Cambridge to Salisbury

To date was another short day, 30 miles.  The plan was to ride to Salisbury and see the town.  As we rode down hwy 50 in the traffic we worried about riding into Salisbury, the biggest town we’ve been in on this trip so far.  As we took a break in Vienna we decided to change our plan.  We would stop at the road to Whitehaven and check to see if the ferry was running.  If it was running we would head to Whitehaven, catch the ferry and go to Princess Anne instead of  Salisbury.  It was on schedule and we headed to Whitehaven forsaking the noise hwy 50 for the quiet country back roads.  We crossed the river and rode on to Princess Anne.  While taking a lunch break we decided to push on to Pocomoke City another 15 miles down the road.  Our 30 mile day just turned into a 61 mile day.

It was a good riding day though.  The temps where in the middle 60’s and overcast but no rain.  Our hotel is next to a Mexican restaurant so supper is decided.  Susan has even gone to a store next door and bought some bedroom slippers.  Bedroom slippers!  It always amazes me what this women thinks she needs on a bike trip with us carrying everything by the strength of  our legs and lungs.  Mine are about whipped too.

Tomorrow the forecast is for cloudy skies and afternoon thundershowers.  We are now only 25 miles from the truck.  This forecast was one reason we pushed on so tomorrow we could roll in before lunch.  Oh, by the way, the temps are suppose to be 86. Really crazy weather!

Wild flowers along the road.

Taking a break from hwy 50

Another country road but cloudy skies

Following the Blue Crab scenic route

Another ferry crossing

Susan flirting with ferry operator :-)

Cambridge

Easton to Cambridge 15 miles, 32 miles for the day.

Today was another a short day.  Our plan was to get up and head down highway 50 to Cambridge.  As always we changed our plan…..somewhat.   We decided to ride back into Easton and cruise the historic area once more.  We even found an antique shop we somehow missed the day before and had to turn the bike around and go back for a look.  Unfortunately it was closed…..sweet!!   After a quick look in the window we headed out, but instead of hwy 50 we decided to take back roads.  After missing our turn, and getting lost once, we finally found our way and enjoyed a leisurely ride through the Maryland countryside.  As we rode we talked about how enjoyable and relaxing a biking trip can be when it is good, and this morning it was great.  The sun was out and the temp was in the upper 70’s.  The wind was very bearable and it was a great  ride into Cambridge. 

In Cambridge we rode along the water and past the largest yacht club and collection of boats we have seen to date.  They were everywhere!.  As we rode past the boats we entered the historical area and enjoyed the old homes and churches along the water.  The day was topped with a great meal at an out of the way place called GiGi's, a Trattoria.  I don’t know what a Trattoria is but GiGi’s is a great Italian restaurant. 

After lunch; .....everyone say it;  we hit the s h o p s.  And  again we made a few purchases to help weigh the trailer down a little.  With one final stop at a huge antique barn we finally made it to our room around 4:00. Within an hour the rain hit and it is still pouring.  We ordered a pizza and are just relaxing.  Tomorrow we are doubling our miles and heading for Salisbury.  It is 30 miles down the road.  The weather is suppose to be no rain but overcast and the temperature is back in the 60’s.  Crazy weather again.

PS
The new tire made it.

Our country road

Starting up the bridge into Cambridge, Susan hates this part!

looking back at the hwy 50 bridge

The visitors center in Cambridge.

Susan walking the water's edge and me relaxing.

Some of the houses along the water

The boats

The bike just can't go past one of these

Easton

I forgot to enter our miles so here they are to date:
Onancock to Whitehaven 57 miles
Whitehaven to St Michaels 62 miles- in the wind!!

St Michaels to Easton  15 miles total

Today was the rain day but we woke up to a sunny but cold day.  This morning it was 49!  We got up and rode back into St Michaels for breakfast.  After taking a last look around we headed out to Easton around 10:30.  Easton is only 10 miles from St Michaels but by now the sky was starting to grey over.  After a short ride we dropped the trailer at the hotel and headed back to town.  We stopped at a local café for a really good lunch and then Susan hit the shops.  Easton is full of shops and she hit’em all.  The rain finally moved in but was light so we went to a coffee shop for a coffee and a muffin.  As the rain picked up we rode back to hotel. 

While drying off the bike I noticed the back tire was showing cords!  I couldn’t believe it.  To make things worst I forgot our spare tire.  Lucky for us there was a bike shop a couple of blocks from the room so I walked down and got a new tire…..and a pump.  I forgot my pump too!!  I can’t believe I was this unprepared.  Oh well.  It is always about the adventure.

Tomorrow they are still calling for a chance of showers but the temps are suppose to be in the 80’s. Crazy weather. 

Since we changed our itinerary, tomorrow we head back, but only 17 miles to Cambridge.  At least that is plan until we change it.

I going to try and answer the comments on the pages they made so check there for our answers.  Also the rain kept our camera in the waterproof bag most of the day so not many pics today.

Main St Easton

The court house

Susan enjoying a short day

Our tire

Day 4-St Michaels

We had a great today.  The day was beautiful but chilly  (high 63) and a little windy but not as bad as they had predicted.  It was a much better day than yesterday.  

We got up early and rode the  2 miles into town and had breakfast with cheddar grits.  First time I have seen grits this far north.  After breakfast we did laundry and walked a around town to plan our day.  After taking our clothes back to the room we rode the back roads back into town and enjoyed the old homes and the 18th century architecture.  By the time we had wound our way through the back roads it was time for lunch.  That meant  a bleu cheeseburg and a beer at Characters on Main St.  My third time to St Michaels and my third burger.  They are great.  

After eating we hit shops.  That means I sat outside reading while Susan went into every shop in this town.  And like always she was able to buy and ship.  Eventually she went  through the last door and we finally headed for the ice cream shop.  After ice cream we toured the museum and are now back at the room taking a break before heading out to eat.

The weather forecast tomorrow has deteriorated  a lot.  They are calling for 80% rain and another cold day.  The plan now is probably to head to Easton Md about 12 miles away and send the day there.  The have a historic area with, let me guess, ……a lot of shops.  We think we can bundle up and walk around even if there is a light rain.  That means the next day we head south but not sure just where yet.  That’s the day and the plan. 

Outside the cafe we had breakfast at

A bridge along the river

On the pier

Cool house

The local Parish

Another cool house

This was in the ice cream palor

At the museum

Day 2 & 3

What a day.  This one is in the top five all time tough days.  Yesterday was a tough one too but it was only half the day.    We rode all day against a headwind today.  To make it tougher the high was only 62.  We left the Inn at 9:45 and arrived at our hotel at 6:30.  Of course Susan claimed it was the Mother’s Day from hell.  She can always find the one thing to complain about.  I reminded her that she was hoping to lose a few pounds.  You would have thought that would have lifted her spirits but she still harped about being cold and fighting the headwind.  Course this time she may have been right.

The weather has prompted a possible itinerary change.  They are calling for 20-30 mph winds with 40 mph gust again tomorrow.  Since we are planning on staying in St Michaels anyway we may just enjoy the town and the pubs.  If the wind continues we may spend two days here and just do some day trips. Personally, that doesn't sound too bad.

 Our restaurant in Onancok

 

Getting ready to leave for Whitehaven

 

Chicken farm.  They smell awful!

Lunch in Pocomoke

Leaving Pocomoke

 

 Crossing the river on the ferry with our Inn straight ahead.  Susan said it looked like the Bates Motel.

Leaving for St Michael

This is a house in Quantico.  They torn down the train depot and bricked all the sidewalks in town.

Not a sign we see very often at home.

The last ferry home!

We have arrive at the beginning!

We arrived in Onancock about 1:00 at a great inn; The Inn and Garden Café (http://www.theinnandgardencafe.com/) . We unloaded the bike and took a tour of the town. After touring the village and spotting a good place for supper as well as an ice cream shop (right across the street from our Inn) we arrived back for the 3:00 check in. We met our host and had a glass wine and relaxed in the garden.

We still have to do our final organizing and last minute packing but those battles will be tomorrow. We are both excited and ready to start. Tomorrow we head for Whitehaven.

 

Parked at the pull over on the Chesapeake bay bridge/tunnel

 

  

Going under the bay for a mile!
 

Coming out the other side

 

Finding a place to shop

 

Our room with our unorganized stuff everywhere