For those of you keeping track, you may have noticed some missing entries for May 20 and 21…

I knew that the ride into Alexandria was the longest remaining mileage day (80.3), and that I was eager to arrive to see family.  Of course, I had a restless night in anticipation, and awoke earlier than planned. I was on the road by 6:10 am, just after sunrise, after breakfast at McDonald’s next to the hotel.  I was well decked out in my bright yellow jacket and flashing rear light, though early on, not much traffic. As the early morning progressed, traffic increased, especially going-to-school traffic, buses and cars with kids.  About 5 miles into the ride, I missed a turn and wandered down a pastoral road, realizing my mistake when the road turned to gravel – add a mile.  Then at 10 miles into the ride at a T, I turned right instead of left, and was so enjoying the tailwind that I wandered almost 4 miles off course and had to retrace myself – some of the obvious disadvantages of riding alone.  Needless to say, I was no longer ahead of everyone.

At mile 36 (on the cue sheet), when I stopped for a snack, Nancy B. and Mary caught up with me and took a photo.  And I saw them again as we crossed the Occoquan River at mile 56 (cue sheet).  Our route took us through Fort Belvoir, where I had lived as a child in 1955-56 (60 years ago!!).  Then passed Mt Vernon (crowded with tour buses) and onto the Mt Vernon Trail – I had forgotten how much it weaved in the trees – not feeling so pastoral at this point.

I had told our daughter Sarah that I planned to arrive in Alexandria by 4 pm – and I rolled up to the park on Union Street where she, Don, and grandson Mason were waiting at the stroke of 4 pm – a wonderful reunion!!!

I ended the riding day with 93.96 miles!  Don and I were staying at the Sheraton Suites in Old Town Alexandria, rather than at the WomanTours hotel or Sarah’s home.  We gathered family for dinner at Rustico’s:  son-in-law Matt, with Sarah and Mason, brother and sister-in-law Ralph and Karen Craft, and Morse cousin Elaine Emling with husband Mike Jenner, and, of course, head cheerleader Don – I even wore a skirt!  Long day, but well worth the extra miles to be with family!!