Day 18: Barcelona, NY -> Erie, PA 34 miles “Solitude”

Another day another state. I’m getting close now. It’s interesting, I catch myself rationalizing the end of the trip. Simultaneously looking forward to the end, reliving what has happened, and wishing that I had someone to ride with. I have concluded that I much prefer having a riding partner. It makes everything better. The partial antidote for this is WarmShowers and friends.
I spent the morning / afternoon sailing in Chautauqua, a great way to spend some of the day. That was refreshing. I had the day planned partially as a rest day, with only 30ish miles, and a nice WarmShowers planned for Erie. The riding was uneventful; along Lake Erie and very flat. There were quite a few wineries. However the significant highlight of the day was the WarmShowers at the end. I spent hours talking with an awesome retired couple. I was fed and provided with a private room and a shower. “Make yourself at home” was a common utterance. Arguably the best WS I’ve stayed in, these social interactions served somewhat of an antidote to the lonely blues I’d been suffering that afternoon. No matter, I’m almost home now.
TM: 2:55, AVS: 11.5, DST: 33.68