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Day 50

August 27, 2018August 26, 2018 By MikeDiazTheFirst
This post is part of a series called Manhattan - Astoria
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  • The End
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Yesterday was draining. There were so many turns, to stay on the same road, customs / border control, taking in all of the sights, sounds, smells of it all as we ride. I’ve done this for the entire trip, but yesterday felt… more. Maybe the hang over, maybe knowing this is the end, what ever the case, I hardly finished writing last night, did nothing online and went to sleep. 

When the alarm goes off Jerry wants a few more minutes. I have zero problems with that! When the second alarm goes off Jerry heads for the shower while I take 3 more minutes. I rolled over and added a few more lines to yesterday’s writing. Got ready and headed to breakfast.

The breakfast room door was open, so we walked in and found more of the same. We were slightly out of order so I had to pick the table… a lot of pressure after 50 days. One gets so set in their ways and what their role is in a situation and now… I choose? The table right in front of the TV also looked like it would windy with the door open right on our backs so I went one over. No complaints so I guess Jerry was cool with the table. However the man who sat at the table right in front of the TV got up to close the door. I’m a very leave it as you found type so I left the door open when I walked into an open door. This guy now grumbled and loud, but to himself, would complain about every single person who came in or out if they did not completely shut the door. As I watched I saw the door would swing fully open if the latch wasn’t fully engaged. So any one who would pull the door shut behind them, and didn’t make sure it fully engaged… He would pop up and grumble as he shut the door fully. This went on for the duration of our breakfast. 

Back to the room to finish getting ready.

Today will be more of the same, turn, turn slight turn all on the “same” road, or straight straight straight to be on four different roads. It’s fine, and I understand how it happens, but it is tiresome while navigating on a bike. In the car if you blow your turn you go a few miles around, so what. I hate having to stop to double check if we are doing the right thing to not see what I’m seeing on the map any where… but our blue dot is on the correct line. 

The first few miles was a nice road out of town. Our first “turn” was really more of a veer on to a bump road that will be under construction in 5 miles. It was a very nice ride, though kinda bumpy. Long graceful hill and turns all surrounded by lush greenery. It was very nice, and kind of exactly what I think of when thinking of Washington State… However I thought we’d be slightly more urban then these lush green corridors. 

We crossed some construction. It’s interesting the micro conversations one might have with only a moment to share. 50 days from New York City! Wow! Keep it up! This interaction has been many verities but it’s always the same basic idea. 

We slowly made our way along and through the back country roads. Washington state, Arlington, Mount Vernon, everything around here looks to have a theme. 

Finally we make an actual turn on Route 529… which will turn into Broadway… which will turn into Route 99. It was a nice feeling to know, other then paying attention to if the road is changing under us or not, this is the road we will take to Seattle. It feels like such a short time ago the west coast was thousands of miles away, and now before we even know it, were at the next mile stone to mile stone to finished. 

The road got busier and busier as we got deeper into the cities, each city was bigger then the last. These smaller cities that surround a major city all have their own flavor but they are all support cities. 

Cars in America have clearly changed, just across the border. Racing ahead to make the turn in front of us or zooming out of the gas station to slam on the breaks just before hitting us. However, more then once today a car has seen us coming and reversed if for nothing else but that we know they aren’t going to go. It was an interesting blend of aggressive American driving with compassionate towards cyclists driving. 

As we crested a hill we could see buildings across the horizon over the trees. The true city. We have passed all of the satellite cities and towns to make it to the city with a sky line. A few more twists and turns, past the construction and we are on our block. This route has dropped us right here… it was actually really nice. The hotel, more or a motor lodge some how in the middle of down town. It was an interesting anomaly… a perfect place for us. 

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MikeDiazTheFirst

Mike was born in Queen, New York to a blue collar family. An avid self educator, artist, and traveler he’s traveled around the globe three times while immersing himself in the culture of 48 different countries and counting.  Read about his journeys and musings here.

Latest posts by MikeDiazTheFirst (see all)

  • Pandemic - April 15, 2020
  • A farewell to EJ - March 27, 2019
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This entry was posted in Manhattan - Astoria
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Related Posts

  • Retrospective

    January 22, 2019January 23, 2019
  • The End

    September 2, 2018September 3, 2018
  • Day 55

    September 1, 2018August 27, 2018

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One thought on “Day 50”

  • Clifford Cummiskey August 28, 2018 at 2:05 pm

    Day 50. Congrats fellas. Pretty impressive

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    always be introspective... and honest. always let your conscious be
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    This is so on point. And very detailed, especially the
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    WOW! THIS WAS AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY! BOTH OF
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    AMERICA IS BEAUTIFUL! FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA!
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