A GREAT DAY

Sunrise
Originally uploaded by pilz8.

Yesterday was just about perfect for a first day-long cruise. Sunshine was abundant, and though the air never warmed above "chilly," the riding gear (full leathers) kept the riders quite comfortable. I was so pleased that my old friend Bill had agreed to make this run wiith me.

Our route to the ocean took us through sweeping farmlands, still-snow filled woods, and even past iced over ponds. Passing through the historic town of Exeter, we rumbled amidst row after row of Phillip Exeter's ivy-covered brick facades.

Sculls were on the Exeter River, rowing down toward the River's convdergence with Great Bay. Colorful birds jarted about in the gloriously blue sky.

On reaching the ocean, we stopped to watch the waves gently crash along the shore. The air took on acooler feel: the seabreeze was building.

We drove north toward Maine, stopping for more panoramic ocean and island views in North Hampton and Rye. A song bird flew into a bush only feet away. He sang and sang happily, even as I approached quite closely to snap a photo.

Later, as we crossed the Marshes of Rye, we saw several pairs of Swans resting, preening, and eating in the still waters. (I've never seen swans in Rye before.) They were likely in a migratory manner, stopping only for a bit. My they were lovely.

Rounding the twisting southern Maine coast, we rode the fabulous routes 103 and 236 up around Kittery Point into York, Maine. From there we moved north to Ogunquit to visit another friend.

Late in the day, we rode south for the return home. Yet an entirely different route was choosen, this Route 91 through the Berwicks and down into Dover, New Hampshire.

From Dover to Durham, where we stopped briefly to say hello to my sons at University.

Our final leg brought us through farm and field again, and finally back to the City around 6 pm.

Sun and wind burned from our 150 mile March Road Run, Bill and I smiled broadly. "That was a great day," he confirmed.

"Yes, a great day indeed," said I.