Day #44 Sunday September 23, 2007

Day #44

Sunday September 23, 2007

Washington, PA to Grand Island, NY
275 miles today (23,419 - 23,694)
9,127 miles total

1 new states today: New York
25 states total (More than half way to 48!)

I awoke to a damp, cool morning. There was no rain, just some heavy dew. I was up before dark, just as the sky was beginning to lighten in the east. Here at 7:37 AM sun is fully above the horizon, the dew is evaporating, and the morning is beginning to warm.

Today I am “down in my back” just a little. It has been “bothering” me for about 2 days. Just some tightness and a dull ache deep down in some muscles. I am stretching in the mornings, but maybe not near enough. This morning, while bent over the sink in the bathroom, I had a bad muscle spasm. Oh no!! That is sometimes the first sign of a long and painful bout with my back. I immediately went back to the tent, stretched out some more, even lying down again to get some additional stretching in. This is NOT a good thing. If I get down in my back, I could be STUCK somewhere for several days. I certainly won’t be able to break camp and get on the road. I will take it very easy today and not reach, bend, or lift anything I don’t have to.

I got the tent down, trailer hitched and ready to roll. I did everything VERY slowly and deliberately so as to not jerk or twist my back. I thought as I was sitting on the bike I’d text some friends to start praying. The only numbers for friends in my cell list that I thought someone would see before church were in Eugene, OR, Murray, KY and Rye, CO. So, I asked each of them to get their church praying for me. Just as I got in the saddle and ready to ride the phone rang. One of them was already calling back. It would quit ringing before I could even get my helmet off, so I had to let it ring. I was able to get out on the road and function for a while. I had one gas stop in the morning, before stopping for lunch just outside of Erie, PA. There I took some Advil and planned my continuing journey to Niagra Falls.

On the way up I-76, I noticed some of the leaves already changing color on many of the trees. I saw some yellows, some tans, some purples and reds. Wow! And I’m not even in the northeast corner yet! What will I find in Maine and Vermont? I am excited about seeing a part of this beautiful land I have never seen before.

My back is aching less tonight, and I’ve got pretty good range of motion. I didn’t feel any twinges while setting up camp. I will stay here at least 2 nights, maybe 3. I may move indoors to a Kamping Kabin if the forecast is saying rain Tuesday night and Wednesday. I have made contact with the Canadian attorney and his wife and am looking forward to a meal with them. The heater is coming out for its trial run tonight.