Richfield Springs NY to Barrington, NH(Home)

June 22, 2025

I am "All dressed up and no place to go" There is a thunderstorm happening at the moment, and it is raining heavily. I am glad to be in the cabin. On this trip, I have learned when to move on and get going, and when to stay put, and enjoy where I am for awhile longer. Today was no different. I had to wait out the storm, and enjoy my cabin. Luckily, I brought an umbrella with me. After about a half and hour, it was still raining, but I hadn't heard thunder for awhile. I really needed the restroom. I also decided to take a shower, while I waited for the rain to let up. After showering, the rain had slowed to a drizzle, so I packed up Kim, and headed out to Cassidy's Diner in Richfield Springs, NY.

As per usual, there were a couple of locals chatting away with the one waitress. I obviously arrived before the Sunday rush. I had coffee of course, and a ham and cheese omelete with sour dough toast and jam. When done, I settled up with the waitress to free up the table. I went out to the bike, with hopes that it was done raining. It wasn't, so I put on the Smurf Suit once again.

Today I would ride Route 20 through upstate NY farmland. As I rode along, I remembered the stories of my relatives that used to own 9 farms of Holstein dairy cattle, in this area. I passed by the Tee Pee Store. I have fond memories of going there with my family. We would stop there on our summer trips to visit my Grand parents and my Aunts and Uncles in Cooperstown, NY. Eventually, the rain stopped and I was able to take off the rain gear. I made it through Troy, NY and then stopped for an ice coffee. The bathroom was broken and the porta potty provided, was full and discusting. I guess the next stop will be to go to the bathroom. I talked with a guy from New Jersey who rode a nice BMW. He was on his way home too. I tried to treat today as any of the other days, eventhough I was ready to be home.

I was now on Route 7 that winds through Vermont. It is a beautiful road for motorcycles. As I rode along, I started to see motorcycles everywhere. I started to get tired of putting my arm out , the biker hello. The day was getting hotter as I went along, except at the higher elevation of the Vermont Hills. I doned my wet neckie and vented the best I could. It would be a water and ice coffee day. I did stop to pee at a small gas station. I felt bad as whomever used it before me had clogged the toilet. I had to go and tell the manager that the bathroom needed attention. For as many bathrooms as I used on this trip, 90% of them where clean. Thank goodness.

It was nearly 2 pm, so I decided to stop in Keene, NH for lunch. None of the regular places seemed appealing, so I went into the center of town and parked to see what I could find. I parked in front of a fancy place with tables on the sidewalk. Too fancy for a tired biker, so I went across the street to a burger place called Fritz Fries. They make everything from scratch. It was busy, so I had to wait a bit for my food. I enjoyed the AC, and was happy that I wasn't travelling with a bunch of young kids, like the parents at the next table. It was hard to wait, as home was calling. I ate my cheesebuger and enjoyed the yummy french fries.

As I walked back to the bike, I could tell that the travel was starting to way on me. I mounted up, put my helmet on, and forgot to put in my earplugs. Then I realized, that I had forgotten to zip up my pant legs. Once I was finally ready, I headed in the direction I thought I was supposed to go. I went a mile or so up the street and see the road I needed to be on. Unfortunately, I didn't see any way to get there from where I was. I went around the block and stopped to check the GPS and fiqured it out. I backtracked through town and found my way back to Route 9 finally.

I drove on the best I could in the heat, making sure to drink lots of water. I continued until I was near Hillsboro, NH. I stopped at a Dunkin to cool off and have an ice coffee. I had hit a wall. I was hot and tired. I enjoyed the AC and put my head down and closed my eyes for a little while. As I cooled off, I started to feel a bit better. I went to the restroom and splashed cold water on my face and re-wet my neckie. I waited a bit longer until I was ready to get back at it. I drove for awhile, until I noticed that I really needed gas. I asked the GPS to find me gas stations. As I rode, the names would show up and then go away. I realized that they were all in towns that I was passing by and not directly on Route 9. Finally, I found one on the map and told it to take me there. After some stop and go traffic as I-89 nears Concord, I got off at exit 1 for Bow, NH and pulled into the Mobil for gas.

After filling up, I was definitely ready for the final push to home. I got on 393 and then followed Route 4 to Northwood. In Northwood, I turned onto 202/9 and was glad to have the road to myself, and some Billy Joel in my helmet. I eventually turned onto Smoke Street, and slowly but surely made my way up our newly fluffed up, smooth dirt road. I had made it home safely. YAY!!!!

I am very proud of myself for going on this trip alone. I learned to ask for help when I needed it. I had some guardian angels that were there to help me when I needed it too. I had to fiqure a lot out on my own and I did. After about 2 weeks, I was ready to come home, but I embraced the journey. I spent the last week meeting new and interesting people and seeing new and interesting places. What a beautiful country we live in.

Monday June 23rd, 2025

I am tired this morning, but feel grateful that I was able to plan, execute, and complete this three week journey. I travelled through 14 different states and travelled over 5700 miles. This trip built my confidence, challeged my stamina, and tested my patience. I learned to trust my judgement and had to rely on myself to make good decisions. I am happy to be back home to family and friends. I thank everyone who took care of things while I was away, especially those at Riley's Farm Lastly, I say thank you to my husband Rob for being patient with me as I learned to ride a motorcylcle, and for believing in me enough to send me out on my own. Till next time.......