NH & MA: 13th & 14th State Line Crossings

Lots of nervous excitement this morning as we hit the road, bound for Burlington, MA.  It was yet another glorious New England morning.

Morning departure out of Brattleboro, VT

We entered the "Live Free Or Die" state.  I think I'll take the Live Free option, please.

As we were riding down the NH highway, we could hear the rushing of a mountain stream running which followed the road for miles.

A little further down the road, we came across this quaint covered bridge from the 19th century.

Sign above the bridge advises that there will be a $5 fine if you're caught bicycling across the bridge.  It crossed our minds.

Here are a couple of road video clips from NH:

We climbed our way through three states today.

This is our 15th, and final, state of the Tour.

We kept looking for one.

The ride was outstanding today but the roads not so much.  There were many holes, cracks and gravel spots to navigate through.  All this was made more challenging by the shadows cast by the dense forest lining both sides of the road, making it very difficult to pick these hazards up as this video clip will show.

We generally lollygagged on this ride with a part of us not wanting it to end.  There were many photo stops and an extended stay at the final SAG stop of the Tour.  Finally, we pulled into the Hilton Garden hotel in Burlington, MA.

Final hotel stop

It was a bittersweet moment for Tom and me.

My Welcome Committee!  It was great to see Diana and Michelle.

 

So here I am in Burlington, MA, poised to punch the final 18 miles into Boston tomorrow morning.  Beth, your moon landing analogy may be right on the money, only this time there are 21 astronauts.

Total Miles:  92           Total Vertical Climb:    5600 ft.