Reisterstown to Rock Creek Regional Park, Maryland – July 21, 2017

Begin - Rock Creek Trail

Knowing that I was on an open field, I woke, instinctively, at five o’clock, packed and left the premises. I grabbed a few items to eat at Wawa before leaving Reisterstown.
Wanting to make the transition to the capital an easy one, I cycled about forty miles. The one major stop I made was at Umberto’s Italian Restaurant.

Needing an escape from the heat and humidity, I entered Umberto’s place with a smile. I ate a small pizza while speaking with the owner. When I talk about what I am doing, I often get a deer-in-the-headlights look. I guess I’ve always had a little difficulty being understood by people. I don’t take it personally. After the owner was over the shock, we had a good conversation about his businesses and the state of the Washington Redskins football organization. He has been a life long fan.

I had it in mind to cycle a short distance down the Rock Creek Trail, keeping my eyes open for a campsite in the woods. The bike path links up with the Capital Crescent Trail, the final leg of my trip into D. C.

Cycling Rock Creek

It wasn’t difficult to find a hammock spot, for an afternoon nap, by Rock Creek. Before snoozing, I recognized that the flat, treed area further back in the forest would be perfect for camping when trail traffic slowed in the evening hours.

The sound of light water flowing over stone finds no resistance on the way to your soul. I took a long snooze and did a little internet research before packing my hammock and heading back into the woods to make camp for the night. There is nothing more that I look forward to than my bottle shower just after dark, especially on these humid days.

Rock Creek Resting Spot

The experience of lightly pouring water on oneself, while in the middle of a forest, can’t be replicated. In July, fireflies burn crazy in all directions; they don’t wait for tomorrow. The deafening chatter of night life places a person on a primitive level. I resent picking up my travel towel.

Tomorrow is my last day cycling on this leg of the Atlantic coast trip. One month has passed since I started pedaling from Bar Harbor, Maine. I intentionally took it slow. This being my first major solo adventure, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ve learned a great deal about myself and the world. This turned out to be just what I needed at this stage in my life. I’m sure that that could be said about any current adventure a person is on. As this chapter ends, another begins. Someday soon, I’ll come back to see what the southern states look like from the seat of a bicycle.