Total Jersey ... We made it!!

All the way to Cape May!! All good (kids are in the water as I write). Yippee!!!!

Final Night Campfire

Final reflections and thoughts around the campfire tonight. Tomorrow we rise early and boogie fast from Belleplain State Forest toward Cape May. We will be in touch from the road. We looked at the state map and were amazed by what we've accomplished!! Total Jersey, top to bottom!!! See Folks Monday pm!

Lunch at Lake Lenape

Making time this morning, ripping through Egg Harbor City and lunching early at Mays Landing. On to Belleplain SP tonight, thus shortening Monday's riding. These kids are terrific, btw, scorching the highways. They could go Jersey to the Pacific in a flash. And nice too!!!

Leaving Atsion

After a nice visit at Batsto Historical Village, we pedaled on to Atsion, where the swimming and sleeping was gentle. On PAST Mays Landing Sunday.

Rumbling Quiet in the Pines

Sleeping in this morning: long hot ride yesterday, short day today, rain and distant thunder of disappearing storms. Ride to Batsto Village later this morning and visit this Pinelands artifact. Then on to Atsion SP to camp and enjoy the lake there, and perhaps canoe. The group is terrific, riding like thoroughbreds, cooking like camping chefs, giggling endlessly around picnic table card games, and, even more to the task, paying attention to the land and people they are moving through and among. These six are lovely people, fast asleep on a soft summer morning in the dropping pines along the Wading River. -PJC

One Component of the Curriculum

Because this trip is not built as an experience built for and delivered to the kids but rather as a group task that the kids accomplish together, we do meals a particular way. Here Melissa and Carly are out shopping for the meals of the next 24 hours for us all. With a tight budget and some general guidance, they head into the grocery with a plan. Knowing that a hungry horde is just about to finish a 56 mile day through the pines in the 90s. And the pressure for good food, and lots of it, is high. It works out just fine. Tomorrow a new pair takes over. -PJC (4.34'pm)

Lunch beneath a tree in Pemberton

... then on to Chatsworth and our campsite deep in the pines.

Oops... No post: All good. At Pesdie

43 miles today from Flemington, across the Amwell Road to Millstone, down the Millstone River to Rocky Hill, the towpath to Kingston, across to Plainsboro to Grover's Mill (yikes!! Martians!!!), across to Cranbury (and a stop in the Bookworm), then Old York Road to Hightstown and Peddie. Made camp, took a swim, grabbed dinner then off to the movies. Said goodbye to Bryan Lauth of our Development Office who rode this first half with the group, made friends with students and faculty, and enjoyed seeing part of Peddie in action. We are joined by Amanda Buchner tomorrow for the second half of the trip, and by Mike Mirelman for the first 20 miles of Friday's ride. We do about 56 total Friday on our way (long) past Chatsworth in the heart of the Pines. Maybe we'll swim again at Chips folly CG!!! All good here. Kids are awesome.

Day's end ... smooth...

Steady storms and flood warnings kept us off the road. Great breakfast at the "Star River Diner" in Hackettstown, followed by a massive laundry session at the next down the road laundromat. Two hours in Flemington downtown, including long reading session at library. Ensconced in motel south of Flemington, and pizza tonight (can't cook in the parking lot!). Heading to Hightstown early morning. Photo here outside Flemington jail suggests nothing.

Waiting out a Stormy Morning

We're taking our time this wet morning, sleeping in, doing laundry, finding a Jersey diner, and reading the weather. No worries.

On the Morris Canal

Just a couple of miles from camp at Stephens State Park. Weather sweet now (3.51 pm)

In Sparta, Dry in the Bus

Great morning to lakeside park in Sparta. Safe in the bus while a fresh deluge sweeps across Lake Mohawk. All good. Just humid inside the yellow mother ship. Btw, Kerrie has lost her ink.

New Tattoo in Jersey

Kerrie Kortmann sporting snappy new ink.

Successful Day!

We made it! A TOUGH start heading straight up to High Point SP. Then a long ride with a second climb (who knew?) and a beautiful roll down 519, a GREAT Jersey road for cycling . Dinner crew Kerrie Kortmann and Kelly Bailey knocked us out with pasta, salad, and great conviviality. Tomorrow looks to be longer but no way as vertical! Steve McConville had the quote of the day: "I never knew New Jersey could be this beautiful."

... High Point Monument!

...an honest climb!!!

Leaving Port Jervis NY

Fresh and anxious about the immediate four mile climb...

On the Road

We off to the top of Jersey!!

Total Jersey !!!

Sophomore Ride #2 -- from the northern top of New Jersey (think Port Jervis, NY) to the southern extremity (Cape May). Imagine: over 250 miles of Jersey without a turnpike, parkway, or mall!! Who knew?

Check here for frequent postings about the further adventures of the Peddie Class of 2012.