out of sequence- Sept 22

Very slow connection- might not have pics until I'm somewhere with faster internet.

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I have not had power for a couple days- I’ll recap today while it’s still fresh. 

I was up at dawn, slowly breaking camp while the sun warmed and dried everything.  Yea!!  Thunderous waves coming ashore this morning- last nite, too.  Gotta love earplugs while camping.

The 2 girls that past me on the climb yesterday are camped next to me.  The friendly one is from Maine, the grumpy one from Boston (go figure ;-).  The friendly one was amazed that I came all the way from Michigan.

Into town for some hot tea and internet access.  I stopped at a gift/coffee shop that looked cute.  Turns out, it is a morning gathering place for locals.  I did some quick emails before my computer battery died, and chatted with to crowd.  One is a rider (FZ650- not bad for a 68 year old dude).  He and the others gave me some ideas on where to ride & play tourist today.  The road to Trout River was fun!  And one of the prettiest so far this trip, too.  Thanks for the tip, guys.

I checked in at the Discovery Center and bought my day pass for hiking.  The ranger recommended a café in town for a sandwich.  I figured that was as good as any, had a decent sandwich and bowl of soup.  It turns out the ranger’s wife works there.  Ha- that is how things work, especially in NF.  They had internet and I could plug in my computer- yea!  I checked the weather- tomorrow is supposed to be nasty, and made ferry reservations for Friday in hopes the weather will be a bit more settled and fewer puking passengers.  I’m booked on the ferry that was broken and couldn’t clear the dock when I was inbound…..

This sign was at the Discovery Center- there are lots of these signs along the roads.

I stopped to hike the Tablelands- a bit of Earth’s mantle thrust to the surface, with lots of unusual geological features- rock slumps, rocker circles & such.  The rock is orange.  I parked the bike, arranged it so the wind (40mph) wouldn’t blow it over, changed from rider to hiker garb, and hit the trail.  4kms, should take about an hour according to the guide. 

About ½ way, the mountain gods wanted me to turn back.  They sent high winds at me.  Like a heathen fool, I pressed on.  Then the gods sent winds around 60 mph, and to emphasis their point that I was unwelcome, sent a cloud speeding into me.  I understood clearly that I was not welcome here today and turned to leave.  To reinforce their message, the gods followed the cloud with rain.  and kept the wind up, too.  Of course, I left my rider gear piled on top of the bike, my boots sitting under the bike.  Things were a bit soggy, and rearranged a bit when I got back to the bike, but thankfully everything was still there.

I’m camped at Zen(something) campground near Stevenville.  I was really looking forwared to a hot shower and doing a bit of laundry.  They have showers and laundry facilities.  They were pretty clear that tents are not welcome, but since it is the end of the season, they are almost empty, AND I am only staying one nite, they were willing to take my money.  I was thinking the price of poor customer service is often hidden as I washed my skivvies in the shower.

This is OK,

This is not,