Day 8, Adirondacks and Green Mountain Loop Bike Trip, 2019

Day 8, to Brighton State Park, Island Pond, VT, 33 miles

Last night it began to storm around 9 pm--a big draft proceeded, leaving my neighbor’s tent flapping. Thunder and lightning, but not a huge rain event. I stayed dry and slept.

This a.m. a bit cooler and less humid. Every day I’ve been swimming in sweat. I keep wearing the same clothes and washing them out at the end of the day.

Left camp @8 and, of course, the ACA maps took me up a hill, Darling Hill Rd. where I connected with Berber Rd. which should take me to Derbyshire Line—except I missed a turn, and that has made all the difference. The ACA maps profiled Twin Bridges Rd. which looked to be grueling. I missed it and took route 105 with gentle gradients, meandering by 2 lakes and a river. In East Charleston I bought a sandwich to eat later. I felt a love for the sublime beauty of the Vermont countryside—rolling hills, mountains of pine. Eventually I turned toward 114 and Island Pond.

That’s when I noticed the sky to the West ripening into a storm and a second later thunder. I cranked it. I felt a bit panicky, hoping to make it. I used my phone to map quest the route and kept typing in Long Island or Long Pond. I got the name sorted, but was peddling to beat the weather. I thought the state park was called Island Pond, but it is Brighton St. Park, so passed it and circled into from the North adding 2 extra miles.

By the time I pulled in it was a little after noon, and the storm had already scattered. There was only 3 campsites left, so I felt lucky.

I’m glad to have a short day, time to regroup and refresh. My body is craving food and a break from the heat. The lady at registration said temps tonight in the low 50s, tomorrow’s high in the 60s —wow!!! Good thing I did bring that sleeping bag and extra clothes.

I have a shaded spot in the woods, a minute from the beach and bathrooms. I’m taking advantage of one more day of warmth and swimming. Hoping someone invites me to their campfire tonight.