Day 15: West Newton, PA

Date:          July 23, 2019
Distance:      26.7 miles
Average Speed:  9.9 mph
Maximum Speed: 25.5 mph
Feet Climbed:  74 feet
Day Trip:      Connellsville to West Newton, PA



We headed down for breakfast around 8am at the Cobblestone Inn (which has no cobblestones anywhere, by the way).  It wasn't a great breakfast, but we knew we didn't have far to ride today before we got to West Newton (there is no East Newton, by the way).  It had rained quite a bit yesterday and through the night and I suggested we delay our start to let the trail dry up a bit.  Also, we could watch Le Tour while we waited.  So we grabbed a couple of cups of coffee and headed back to the room to relax on the beds catching up on the news and watching the tour.  Today's race ended around 11:30 and because house cleaning had already knocked on our door asking when we would be leaving, we quickly packed and were on our way a little before noon.

 

My best breakfast shot was when Di blinked

Hurrying to leave the hotel (don't forget your helmet, Di!)

As in prior days, the trail brought us along the river.  I saw a brace of ducks near the water's edge as we headed away from the hotel.

There are the ducks off to the right

I also saw this a totem pole in the park.

Totem poles make me think of The Family Stone

I was so busy noticing things that I hadn't noticed Di had ceased riding and was stopped in the middle of the path. As I rode closer I could see what the problem was.  A gaggle of geese were planted right in the bike trail and were refusing to move aside to allow Di to ride through.  It was a Di versus geese standoff. 

Di stopped in the trail

Geese daring Di to come through

The geese won.  Di backed up and went through the parking lot to get around the them.  If you've ever had a goose come charging and snapping at you, then you would know Di made the right choice. Respect the goose.

Di happy the geese encounter is behind her

It was another perfect day for riding.  It was mostly cloudy with temperatures in the mid-seventies and the trail was almost completely dry.  And, the ride to West Newton from Connellsville is downhill! Its a treat to get a riding day like today.

Mining disaster of June 10, 1901 (not all bad things happen on June 10)

This is Di's posture as she waits for me to take yet another photo

At one point in today's ride, Di got ahead of me. She then stopped and as I approached her, I could see she had her phone out to take a picture.  She pointed it at me and I kept riding.  In an exasperated voice, she yelled "Do something!" "I am, I'm riding my bike", I replied.  "At least wave!", Di exclaimed.

Totally candid shot of me riding

 
We arrived in West Newton around 2:45pm.  We couldn't check into our B&B yet, so we rode around town looking for a place to eat.  We found Gary's Cafe and went in for some lunch.  Di ordered a lemonade and asked about the size options.  The waitress replied that the lemonade came in one size, jug.  So Di ordered a jug of lemonade.

Di and her jug-o-lemonade

Gary's Cafe

I wasn't that hungry, but the meatloaf sounded good, so I ordered that.  I got two big slabs of meatloaf, a pile of mashed potatoes, apple sauce and two pieces of grilled bread. I ate it all.

I'm ready for the meatloaf challenge

You can walk, run, bike, drive, or swim from one side of West Newton to the other

Di is pensive, thoughtful and contemplative (she contains multitudes)

 
We checked into the Bright Morning B&B and were told that this is one of the few nights per week that the restaurant was open for dinner.  We made reservations for 7:30 and then went to our room to relax a bit.  We then walked around the town a bit, but that seemed like a lot of work, so we headed back to the B&B, got ourselves a couple of glasses of wine, and sat on the front porch watching other bicyclists ride by on the Great Allegheny Passage. Occasionally a rider would look our way and we would raise our glasses by way of greeting.  Weirdly, not one ever waved back. 

Apres ride beverages

 
Di and I both ordered the quinoa with cheese, zucchini, mushroom and tomato.  I was still full from Gary's meatloaf and didn't think I could eat it all, but I did.  It was delicious.

Quinoa for all

Smothering in cheddar cheese makes everything taste better

 
By now I was ridiculously full, so when I ordered the blueberry cake for dessert, I must confess there was a part of me that was surprised I was doing so. Fortunately, that part of me was small and when the cake arrived I ate it all. 

That cake isn't long for this world

Tonight, as I reflect upon what I have written here in the blog, it is possible I may have stumbled upon some insight into why at present I have this uncomfortable stomach ache. Ah, who knows.

Tomorrow we head to Pittsburgh.  We are already looking forward to Thursday, when Brian and Michelle to arrive.  Then the vacation part of our vacation begins!

P.S. I forgot to say that my mom paid for dinner again tonight! Thanks, Mom, dinner was wonderful and thank you again for your generosity.  You are keeping Di and me well fed on this trip.