Tuesday July 15. Day 60 Hancock to Cumberland, 68 miles

First some stuff I forgot yesterday. There was a Black snake, about 4 feet long stretched across the trail. I thought it was a stick and nearly ran over it's tail. Non poisonous according to my informant. A little lizard like creature ran across my path. I saw a fine blue bird of unknown species and there were some furry fellows over the last ten miles today that I could not identify though they seemed like beavers with fluffy tails.

Also yesterday as I drew near one of the unimproved camp sites with it's portapotty and picnic table, I saw a fellow loitering about, tossing stones and looking idle. As I passed I asked if he needed help and he replied that a tow truck was on the way. It seems he was the operator of the truck that empties the potties and when he finished this one, he found that his truck was mired in the mud. He was unconcerned so I just passed on that all purpose folk wisdom, "S... Happens" and pedaled on.

The big news of this morning is that Myrtle laid an egg. I had put her in the bathtub with a little water and left her alone. A bit later from where I was sitting I noticed an oblong object about and inch long lying in the tub. I could hardly believe my eyes, but sure enough that is what it was. The shell was pretty soft and I didn't know how to carry it on the bike so I just put it into the basket Myrtle rides in below my glove compartment. When I looked for it later in the day, it seemed like Myrtle had eaten it.

Last night I called my friend Carl Compton, whose brother lives in Cincinnati, and with whom I had discussed the possibility of his flying back to ride with me and his brother for a while. The riding part is not going to work out, but my reason for bringing it up is that Carl asked me how the riding was going. That is what I want to discus. I'm not sure what I said to Carl, but today I spent some time reviewing the question. Here's the truth. Six or seven or eight hours of bike riding a day becomes monotonous. It also generates occasional pain in various parts such as hands, butt, lower back, feet, and knees. If this is such a good time, why do I tend to keep close track of the miles remaining each day? And if all of what I have just said is true, why am I doing this? Here's the answer.. It is satisfying. That's it. It is satisfying, and satisfaction is what one wants from life. Also, of course, all that litany of woes is relieved by times when I'm seeing new and interesting sights, but mostly it is just satisfying.

Good night from Cumberland, Maryland.

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