Day 37 Monday, June 14, 2010 Distance 73.13 km. Time 4 hr. Total so far 2603.63 km. Elevation climb 2996 ft. After Dave did a grease job on his bike on the road away we went under overcast skies. Hwy 115 came to Hwy 2 pretty fast and gave us a lovely gift of a big long climb, Randolph Hill, followed by an 8 % grade going down with a truck runaway lane. We came to the town of Gorham and through a few sprinkles went a good mile plus out of the way to Walmart where we bought our usual breakfast and lunch items. No one came over to visit with us today. The Androscoggin River runs along the highway today. We also saw two parking areas for accessing the Appalachian hiking trail. I would have loved to hike for awhile. There were cars in the parking lot from 5 different states and at least three Subarus. Back on the road the sign said Mount Washington Valley to our south. We passed several moose statues, a beautiful old stone house and barn and the Mount Washington Road sign- that would be too much incline for us! At Shelburne, the lady in the visitor center told us about upcoming road and bridge construction and a back road we could take later to stay away from most of it. Soon after, we crossed the Maine State line and all the rules for Maine signs. The first sight of Maine was beautiful. As we came into Gilead we saw the first of the construction and then it started to rain. We ducked under the first awning which was at a closed motel and cottage place. We stayed there through three good downpours and had our lunch. Then we headed on, turning to North Rd. which is a rolling picturesque back country road. After 8 miles, we came back on Hwy 2 just east of Bethel. I checked at a campground on one side of the road while Dave checked a motel on the other. No canopy at one and too expensive at the other. We were told there was another campground 3 miles farther. But before we went that far, we passed a beautiful place called River View resort. Dave said he would ask the price. I thought he was wasting his time as it looked like a 100 dollar a night place. The owner was just getting out of her vehicle and said the rooms were 89 plus tax. Dave said that was beyond our budget. He turned to go and the the Lord took over and the lady said that she had passed us on the road and had seen us, drenched and bicycling hard, and would give us a room for 50 dollars even. Thank you, Lord. Well, this isn't just a room. It is like a chalet. We have a whole kitchen with stove, fridge, pots and glasses and even a garburetor. There is a dining area, a living area, one bedroom with twin beds, one bedroom with a double bed and a balcony at the back. That's not all--there is a pool, a hot tub, a pingpong table and games room and tennis courts! We have missed eating eggs, so Dave went to a nearby store and we enjoyed egg sandwiches for supper. I used the hot tub and Dave is relaxing on the couch while I do the blog. We have also answered an email from Cheryl and Jon in Madison and hope to visit with them in a few days, depending on terrain and weather.
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