May 25&26 East Thetford to Rochester, Vermont

I camped overnight in East Thetford at a campground called Rest and Nest.  It was a great campground but the camp store wasn’t open for the season yet and I hadn’t passed any grocery stores in the last few days so my food supplies were low.  I left the campground in the morning in search of food.  The cheese crackers weren’t going to hold for long.  I stopped after about five miles at a small convenience store and met a couple who were curious about my trip.  They were Stu and Sue and I asked for help in finding a diner or breakfast somewhere.  They didn’t think I would find a restaurant or grocery store before Royalton so sent me to the yard sale being held by the local community group.  Stu, a local alderman thought they would give me food for free.  Of course I didn’t ask but did get two muffins and a large cup of coffee for $2.  Quite the deal and nice people.  They were right about the lack of food until I reached Royalton where I found a small restaurant and had a meatloaf sandwich.  I crossed a huge mountain between Stratford and Sharon so I was grateful for that sandwich.  This route is devoid of many food options.  Often the map refers to groceries and it turns out to be a convenience market as you all know my favorite food choices aren’t there. I buy an apple every time I see one though.
I rode into Rochester without any problems in mapping today and found my B&B that I reserved earlier in the day.  I had heard from Stu that I better make reservations even for camping because of the holiday weekend and luckily I got the last room in the area.  Camping didn’t seem like a good option because storms were predicted, not fun in a tent.
At my B&B I met two women who were there for a birthday weekend.  They had met at a knitting weekend and so we quickly became friends.  I joined them for dinner at the Maple Soul farm to table restaurant.  Excellent food with a southern flair.  Enjoyable company and enjoyable food. We did discuss whether it’s appropriate to go into a yarn store when you’re nasty from the road and can’t buy yarn because of the weight.  I haven’t so far but saw several stores in Maine that I might have liked going into.  Another romanticized idea I had about the trip is not realistic I’ve found.  But in place I have met some interesting people that have been warm and friendly.
I woke on Sunday to stormy weather and made the decision not to try to conquer Bread Loaf mountain with potential storms happening.  It was a fairly easy decision because I am tired and probably needing a rest.  The biking brain fog was obvious even to me who can usually pretend it’s not there. For sure I need to use the laundromat and market so I’ll ride the Bread Loaf tomorrow.  And hopefully ride the ferry across Lake Champlain to Ticonderoga NY.