2013 The Eastside Story – Day 5: All Things Happen For A Reason

I awoke this morning to find the campground enveloped in a “sleeping bag” of ocean fog. There was no telling what the sky looked like through the mist.

My route to the next campground was planned to dodge between the hot spots of severe weather predicted. US 44 and 6 are a little more mountainous and I headed far enough west to avoid being sucked into the vortex of New York. The temperature started to rise, by 9 am it was already steaming into the 80s, and the fog lifted to reveal another dark sky. This route was eclectic to say the least, taking me through two more major cities; Providence Rhode Island and Hartford Connecticut as well as over some twisty, steep (relatively speaking) mountain roads. And the temperature kept rising. Just when I thought I had beaten the weather, the sky opened up for what was one of many short cloud bursts and for all but one downpour I was between towns and safe or should I say, dry haven. It was far too hot for wet weather gear and I seemed to have just enough miles between each shower to dry out.

I hadn't been able to book a campsite on line last night and in the end the street address for the campground did not line up with the GPS. When I got to the address, there was nothing there and since the weather was turning on me again I decided not to look for it. Instead, I said, “Dan find me a motel!” God bless Dan’s little data base. All things happen for a reason, I couldn't pre book a site at a camp ground I couldn't find and instead found a dry motel that was $10 cheaper than the price listed for the kamping kabin (which I no doubt would have longed for in the pouring rain.)

Needless to say the pictures didn’t get taken again today because the camera was packed safely in its little water tight otter box. I saw some beautiful old buildings travelling through the cities and one little deer; standing so perfectly still - at first I thought she was a statue.

The rain has stopped, as a matter of fact it stopped the moment I had the last item off the bike and into my room. There are still thunder clouds gathering over the mountains. Here’s hoping for a drier tomorrow.