Day 25 - Troy to Circleville, OH

First to wrap up a few things from yesterday, White Barns. No one commented and since we had a good connection last night I googled it (jfgi). As it turns out there are two theories, one is that the path of the Germanic settlers reflects their tradition (whatever that means) or that since dairy farming was getting more commercialized the thought was that the white wash represented purity and cleanliness of the farm and therefore, of the milk. So there you have it.
Also last night we ate at a Big Boy and I must say it was the second worst meal of the trip. I remember the burger the 'big boy' as being delish so I ordered it - get this?! The special sauce is tarter sauce - ewewww! ON my fish sandwich yes, burger NO! Plus my onion rings were raw - oh well, the soup was ok so I had two bowls - Michelle also said hers was the worst so I didn't feel so bad.
Ok, on to today - can you say HUMID! It was so humid when we started this morning that I had a sunscreen dew all over my arms that ran off in rivulets down to my gloves. They were soaked within the first 20 miles. Actually, throughout the day we were so sweaty hot that I rode with my jersey completely unzipped! There was a heat advisory for the afternoon warning that people shouldn't exercise outside. But, we finished up around 1:30 and stopped at the local coffee shop - there were about 12 of us that stopped in to sit in the A/C and get something refreshing. As we sat there, a storm was brewing outside and Rebecca warned that it would hit in 30 minutes. We were only 2 miles from the hotel so we decided to stay for a few more minutes before heading out. When we left you could see the storm really gaining on us and we had to high tail it on outa there to make it to the hotel. When we got to the light just across from the hotel the lights where swinging and the wind really picked up. I had to get off my bike and walk it across the street so I could keep my balance! We made it just in time and got inside before this giant storm hit. Thankfully, everyone was in by then and we were all safe and sound!
Guess what! I got some great cards today from friends and family! Four of them!! Michelle was a bit jealous so I tried to let her open one, but she said that was ok - I proudly displayed them on top of the TV - it was so cool and they where all so pretty and inspiring - THANK YOU!!!
Tonight I hit the pool for some stretching and swimming - it felt great! There were quite a few of us there - Ernie, Micheal, Susan, and Tom. I also got our laundry done and dinner before my 7:00pm massage. It's nice to get those things out of the way before 10pm!!! Also, Holiday Inn Express has fresh baked cookies and I've eaten three of them since I've been sitting here, gosh it's going to suck going back to eating normal!!
The terrain today was slightly hillier than yesterday and we had a few rollers, I kept trying to push myself over the rollers to remind my legs what it's like to climb - REMEMBER I kept telling them. I started out with Paul, Susan and Mark and we actually rode with Wes, Greg and Jim for awhile. At some point I rode with Tom (CA) and Rebecca - it was fun and we sang the 'safety song' I have to get those words from Rebecca. The last 20 miles we flew - it was flat with a slight tailwind - so nice!
Status report - total miles - 2,845, total climbing 87,990, total calories burned- 158,469 - I did finally weigh myself and I am down six pounds which is great because I haven't seen that number since joining the GAMT group! I've been trying to lose 10 lbs for like 3 years! So yippee! Plus, I washed my jeans the other day and they were a bit baggy - again yipppeee!
I have a bunch of pics below for you, but what I'm finding as each day gets closer to the last I am trying to imprint images of the people in my mind and on my camera. As I realize that there are some that I may not see again, I want to remember the mannerisms and things about them. I want to remember the playful jabs that John L gives me, the always enthusiastic "Welcome" that Susan calls out, the funny fist bump explosion thing that Paul does with Jonathon, the 'yes Ma'am from Jonathon - which I don't even mind being called "Ma'am" by him, Walt's silly grin and all the cool things I learned from him, the stern look of Lon that turns to a smile, (young) Greg's bright eyes and eagerness, Ernie's flirtatious grin (even though he treats me like his daughter), I could go on and on about everyone - some people I haven't gotten to know that well and some I have - but all of them have been great and I know that I will have times of longing in the days and months ahead and will need to reflect on their faces and just remember.......
Ok on to my pics before I get sappy....
As always thanks for the comments!! I love them!
Early in the morning

Humid morning start

Morning pace line - lead - Wes, Jim, Greg, Paul, Susan, Mark - what's that we are riding by?! Corn!

Homes in Urbana, OH

First rest stop and all the peeps

I took this of the side of the trailer door - Sue M do you see something your Mom might like to put up at home???

Tom maxin and relaxin at lunch

Amazing isn't it?! Progress so far

The storm that was barking at our heels!

Cool mural in Circleville - home of the largest Pumpkin fest and 1,500 lb. pumpkins and 7 parades in 5 days - learned that from some friendly locals

Coffee shop, me and my chai tea, Mark, Paul, Susan

Coffee shop outside (94degrees) Bob, Gerry, Roger and John

My yummy honkers Ale - oh and Janae, Paul (his Merlot) and Michelle

Dinner - left side - Janae, Paul, Michelle, right side - Jim, Me, Susan

Cov, Scott, Ann, Cynthia, Brian, Rick

Craig, Mark, Wes (short shorts), Steve, Carl

This is a tough one to read but it says "Everyday holds the possibility of a Miracle" so amazingly true!