5/19/23 North Scituate to Concord, Massachusetts

It was kinda exciting to know that less than a week from now we will be waking up at home. Including today … we have 3 more days of riding with 3 more state crossings, a day off in Portland, and our flight home. We’re noticing that most of the roads we are on are just 2 lane highways that we would consider country roads. It  seems the infrastructure isn’t keeping up with the population growth, since the streets are super busy. We don’t take photos when on those roads. 

Our state crossing into Massachusetts was without signage, but we had it marked on our google maps.

Originally a saw mill was built here in the late 1600’s, now it is the Woonsocket Thumdermist Hydroelectric Plant. 

While in Woonsocket we also a great breakfast spot.  We were heading back on the road at 11:11.  

Notice the flag and our great tail wind. 

A little craziness navigating the construction areas. The new pavement was still too new to ride on. 

It was sweet to find a dedicated bike trail that was paved… it lasted about 5 miles then turned into a dirt path. This Rails to Trails  was a fun diversion from the busy roads. 

Some deer with really long tails…  these are White-tailed deer. 

While on the trail we crossed paths with this couple that was just starting their ride. They found out about our East Coast journey basically following the East Coast Greenway. We found out Pat King was the co founder of the  East Coast Greenway Alliance in 1991 and she continues to be on the Advisory Board. It was a fun surprise that we connected with her and her husband Tom.

 

There is so much history all throughout the  Northeast. Not only is Concord (our overnight destination) known as one of the first English settlements.. established in 1635, 

In 1775 “the shot heard around the world” triggered the American Revolutionary War happened here. It is also home to authors such as Louisa May Alcott ( Little Women) , Ralph Waldo Emerson (Self Reliance)  and Henry David Thoreau  (On Walden’s Pond.) 

We checked out the Walden pond and the visitor center there. 

The quaint town of Concord was fun to roam through. We eventually had dinner at the Colonial Inn. Our first course was a nice bowl of local mussels.

 

Todays stats.. 57 miles, 2010’ of climbing, one state crossing- into Massachusetts.