The Bike Ride Begins!

With sunlight streaming into the comfortable Gazebo Inn, we started the day with a leisurely delicious breakfast. Since the temperature started at 36 degrees this morning, we were in no hurry to get on the road.  We started the day with layers and jackets, it was cool in the shade but the sun felt warm. As the day went on, we shed some of those layers.

   

After getting our bikes ready for the ride, we headed west out of Brandon around 10 am. We rode west out of town, then south.  The roads were lined with beautiful trees. There were some hills that were challenging but we stopped now and then and took our time.

 

After turning on Beaver Pond road, we came across Beaver Pond, it was really pretty!

   

                                             Russ                                                                    Carol

We came across "marshmallow" farms again today!

 Along the way we saw LOTS of barns and farms. The countryside is beautiful!

We rode to Wilson's Castle near Proctor. It was built in the mid 19th century and has been home to five generations of Wilsons. We took pictures but did not take the tour.

We speculated that the farm buildings were across the road.

We heard sheep, it looked like a beautiful farm.

When we came into Proctor we stopped at the Vermont Marble Museum.

We spent an hour and 1/2 on the self guided tour,  it was VERY interesting!

Their company made the Tomb of the Unknown soldier.

 After the museum visit, we rode down the street to the marble bridge. It was really pretty.

After leaving Proctor, we rode back toward Brandon and

rode through three covered bridges along the way.

 The views along the way were very beautiful, the mountains were in the distance and we went up and over lots of hills. The temperature got up to a comfortable 75 degrees.

 We arrived back at Gazebo Inn in Brandon around 3:30. We rode a total of 34 miles, we could feel that we had worked our legs, the hills were challenging today. Donna had some refreshments for us when we returned. After we rested awhile, then walked downtown to a pizza restaurant and enjoyed a delicious supper.

We are spending our second night here at Gazebo Inn, tomorrow we will ride to our next Inn so our luggage will be moved to the next Inn tomorrow while we ride.

We will return to Brandon by the end of the week.

It's been a wonderful but tiring day.  Our feet are up and we're resting our legs for tomorrow. As we faced some challenging hills today, I was reminded that God is the one who gives us strength.

We are so thankful for His strength and protection as we enjoy this week of adventure.

He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)

It is God who arms me with strength
    and keeps my way secure.

Psalm 18:32 (NIV)

Until tomorrow...