Searsport, ME-Wiscasset, ME 9/10 67 miles

Day two of any bike tour is always hard (But never quite so hard as day three). Today proved true to form, but it wasn't the distance or the weather; it was the road. Everytime we passed through a little Maine village, the shoulder disappeared; however, the traffic didn't. Fortunately, Ed and I are experienced bike handlers, so we had no trouble. That was the tough part, which really wasn't tough, just less than a country cruise. I did enjoy a stroke of fabulous luck. One of my bungee cords dislodged and wound itself around my rear spokes snd free-wheel. Thankfully, I heard it, responded before a complete revolution, and the result was no mechanical damage. It did cause a few heart palpitations as my mind imagined the result just minutes earlier when I was careening downhill at plus twenty. Thank you, Jesus. Speaking of Jesus, as we left this morning, we were chatting a guy up , and when I told him where we were going, he exclaimed, "Jesus!" I replied,  I've heard he's known everywhere, maybe we'll see him. The guy, clearly a non-believer, was non-plussed. So it goes. The highlight of the day was breakfast in Camden, ME. Just excellent, and even though the girls behind the counter had so many piercings, they looked like cell towers, they were efficient, friendly, and happy to be there. The low point was an unhappy Maniac who buzzed close to us, horn blaring, and veins popping. Ed simply waved. He was one in five thousand. Most gave us as much room as we needed, so once again life is good, especially today. One more thing. Neil Kempen always says the litter gets worse about three miles outside of towns. It's true in Maine, too. Sadly, I lost count of the number of single shot liquor bottles along the road, each sucked so dry their little plastic shoulders were wrinkled. It's as if the alcohol fiends pulled hard to get every last fume. It's a little disconcerting ti think I'm trusting my safety to the impaired, the impatient, and the angry. It's a good thing I trust that Jesus guy.

Pay attention. Everything matters. Realize that Things can get out of hand in a hurry.

It's a good thing there is the #2 skillet: two eggs scrambled over a bed of winter greens and cottage fries. Free trade African coffee. Four stars of praise from me.

Ed checking his heart. It never rose above 117, even as we climbed hill after hill.

Every little coastal water front in Maine looks much like this.

Many of the boats need some fair wind.

This could have caused much grief, but fortunately, disaster was averted. Didn't someone say it pays to be lucky. Well, I've long considered myself the luckiest guy on the planet.

We should all be so lucky to enjoy the bounty of the earth.