Onward and Upward To The Finish

It's now been two weeks since we departed Jacksonville and all we have to show for it is close to 1100 miles as we sit in Farmington, Ct. tonight trying to relax after a long, hot day punctuated by a serious climb in the last two miles to get to our hotel.
We started at the Norwalk train station this morning meeting Wayne, Christina and Chris who are friends of Betsy and Alicia at the MMRF. They directed us along the beautiful coast of southern Connecticut toward New Haven where we were to pick up a rails-to-trails from the Yale Campus to the day's finish town.
Most of those reading this blog are not cyclists but I can offer this to you -- if you ever have a chance to ride on a rails-to-trails (converted railroad tracks replaced with pavement for joggers, cyclists and walkers), take advantage of it and do it. Most are scenic, flat and just beautiful. Today's was no exception going through some natural wetlands, forests and of course behind some factory buildings no longer active.
Betsy joined us down the street from her house and rode the longest she has ever gone on a bike, she said. We had lunch adjacent to the Yale Campus at Educated Burger which was good. Then we met Alicia a couple of miles down on the trail and off we went.
The pair -- Alicia and Betsy -- are truly a pair. Hard workers, always looking to get the word out about MM and quite devoted to the foundation. I can't say enough about how they have cared for the three of us since we left Jacksonville.

Our designated driver stands on the coastline of southern Connecticut between Norwalk and New Haven. She earned her "angel" wings she received from Betsy and Alicia at the beach party yesterday.

Betsy (left) and Alicia have been controlling my life for months now -- which is a good thing. They have coordinated so much on this ride that a simple thank you doesn't come close to express my appreciation for all of the things they have done for the three of us on this ride. Alicia is even going to the finish line Tuesday to greet us.