I awoke in my room at the Hampton Inn this morning, to what would seem like the most normal hotel stay I've had yet. I will get to go downstairs and have coffee with my banana and peanut butter. My clothes are all clean, and I'm ready to move down the road today. The first challenge will be to find the pedestrian bridge to cross the Gold Memorial Bridge over the Thames river. This bridge is actually two bridges, composed of a north and south span. The south span has a pedestrian and bike portion, and it's just a matter of finding that entrance to it this morning in the dark. My Maps app keeps telling me to go around, and acts like I can't go across the bridge. I did Google it, and talked to some local people to know that I will be able to cross it on foot.
I'll leave the comfort of my hotel room, and head out the door in the dark. The sun is normally coming up by now, but the clouds are keeping it dark. I have my lights, both flashlight and blinking light ready and going. I head down the sidewalk toward I95 where it has joined Route 1 and begin trying to figure out how to get to the pedestrian bridge. Is it above? Below the car bridge? It's so dark I can't really tell. I'm going back-and-forth on Bridge Street, looking for the so-called little pathway that will take me to the pedestrian portion. After I've passed by the little green sign that says 'To Pedestrian Bridge' three times unknowingly, I finally see it after the third time. I was happy and relieved, to say the least. Now it's time to go get up on that bridge and get across to New London. That was a large river, and very busy down below. I made it to the other side, zigzag'd through New London and got back to Route 1. I have two more bridges today, that supposedly have pedestrian paths on them as Route 1 will join I95 at those junctions. I heard there is a ferry option around that area too, but I'm hoping just to be able to get across the bridges on my own.
John made his final plans on how he will walk to the bus station that he is choosing. We will both be making it into New York - or close to New York - before we both head off the road. I have spent the last day or two thinking about this moment. I've come to realize how fortunate I have been to be able to see the New England states up close and personal. I am at peace with heading back home as well, with no regrets. It's interesting, because after a couple of weeks on the road, the homesickness subsides, and a new strong survival instinct kicks in. You are able to push aside those feelings of missing home, and focus on making it day to day. There's so much to do to take care of yourself, route planning, watching for turns/detours, sleeping/camp/motel planning, among a myriad of other things you never expect to encounter. So as I have moved through these different stages over the last 22 days, I learned many new things each and every day. It makes you realize how strong and resilient we are as humans, and clearly see the instinctual kindness of human beings.
I notice as I move down the road today, I'm not in any hurry, even more so than on any other day. Today, I just want to enjoy the day, enjoy what's around me, and just let myself take my time. This is gorgeous country, and I have no certain time I have to be to Clinton today. It's as if I'm out on a walk, with never ending beauty, and no responsibility whatsoever. I'm just going to take time to breathe.
Happy Day!!
Cyndi
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