I’ll speak plainly: rest days are not restful. Yes, we can sleep a little later, but we don’t – we are already hardwired to stir at the first sign of light, so we do. It could also have something to do with the nature and economics of RV parks that had them situated alongside highways and rail lines – two reliable roosters.
Every rest day starts with a list of plans, tasks and noble intentions, and ends with unfulfilled obligations, unmet expectations a
and recriminations. Throw in group dynamics, travel fatigue, camping discomforts, social separation and a half-dozen raging Parkinson’s symptoms, and you have the makings of a powder keg.
Still, this is the place to be. We meet a couple today from Cornwall. They are travelling West but have made special provisions to meet up with us, something that they have been interested in since hearing us on CBC Fresh Air. They are planning a civic celebration for us in Cornwall, and we gratefully adjusted our route to accommodate. That is the sort of interaction that helps maintain perspective and motivation. We have also been taking to Peter Istvan from Parry Sound, and looking forward to fun with him and Kathleen.
We received our tour cycling shirts today. They look fantastic. They show a spoked wheel set against our route across Canada – well, an early version of our route. Mike prepared a video to show them off.
Today we’re back on the road for a long-ish ride. It will feel good to be moving.
