AAN day 50 - Manchester, NH --> Portsmouth, NH

Across America North - day 50 - Manchester, NH --> Portsmouth, NH

Today was the last day of the trip. I'm too tired to type any more.

Anticipation ran high at departure as we started out for the high school in Rye about 7 miles from Portsmouth. Fifty miles and a few rolling hills later, we were there and the police car showed up on time a half hour later. Then we headed for the beach several miles away at a stately, processional pace.

A crowd was at the beach that day. The wind was strong enough to blow some beach chairs over and the air was cool. It's been unusually cool here. A few of the riders jumped in the ocean for a good soaking while others got wet up to their ankles. The ones who were met by friends and family stayed a while and the others headed for the hotel 7 miles away in Portsmouth. The road to Portsmouth was along the beach and I could only imagine how much the price of a house there was increased by the location.

We finally made it to the hotel and the ride was over. Showers and a change of clothes were next followed immediately by bicycle packing and shipping. FedEx will be here tomorrow morning to pick up my bike along with several others.

A group of people had reservations at Old Ferry Landing, a seafood restaurant on the water in downtown Portsmouth. Luckily, I had a ride there in a car. On the way, I couldn't stop thinking about how easy it was to go up the hill and how soft the seat was. For dinner, I had baked, stuffed haddock followed by a trip around the corner to an ice cream parlor. They were both very good.

The America by Bicycle shuttle left this morning at 8:00 for Logan Airport and the people bound for Logan this morning met for one last hotel breakfast and loading of luggage. Good byes were said all around with many good wishes and a few tears.

My train leaves from Boston for Denver tomorrow at 11:55 am. That means going to the C&J bus stop about 3 miles from the hotel tomorrow at 7:30. So continues another cross-country trip. My epic journey is over now. It's more conventional from here on.

AAN day 50 - Manchester, NH --> Wallis Beach, NH

AAN day 50 - Wallis Beach, NH --> Portsmouth, NH