Temperature’s have been in the 90’s the last few days with humidity in accompaniment: a scorching duo. Yesterday I put in around 70 miles to make it up to couchsurf Salisbury, Maryland, tallying as the second Salisbury I have stayed in thus far. I was utterly exhausted by the time I got there. While I got an early start, around 8am, it wasn’t by choice. Everyone at the dorms had to leave by eight to make it to their programs, so I was given the boot. I definitely could have used another three hours of sleep. With the heat and my fatigue, I took a few long breaks through the day to rest up. Also, half the day was spent on a busy highway; the added stress of that equals more exhaustion. But at Mike’s place, we had some delicious food, great beer and some fantastic homemade ice cream.

This morning I had a bit more energy upon setting out, although I didn’t get much more sleep than the night before. I set out around 9:30, and it was already blazing. Just standing outside and packing my bags up on my bike left my shirt nearly drenched. So muggy. It was a nice ride to the beach, where I was welcomed by a billion tourists in Ocean City. I sat on the boardwalk and enjoyed a lunch of Wheat Thins with a fresh tomato and cucumber. Delicious. Then the storm clouds rolled in and I decided to ride on as long as possible until it started raining. It never really came, no more than a light shower for about 20 minutes. I spent that in the Delaware welcome center planning my route through the state.

So far it has been great being out on the coast. I stopped twice to jump in the ocean. The first time, however, it was still overcast, so not as warm, and the water was a bit rough. I decided it wasn’t worth it. A few hours later I stopped to cook some dinner at another state park beach, and after sitting in the sun over my stove cooking pasta, I couldn’t resist a little dip in the cool water. Just a quick in and out, but it felt great. I didn’t even need a towel; the sun dries you off in a matter of minutes.

Tonight I sleep outside of a Methodist church in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. It’s a big place, so they have wireless and even a shower I can use in the morning. I could really use one tonight. When I got here there were a bunch of Russian kids sitting outside. I guess the church sponsors some program for students to come here and work and travel for the summer, and they were having a dinner at the church tonight. So I came in to inquire about sleeping out here, and of course I was offered food. Despite the fact I had already eaten pasta just a few hours earlier, I couldn’t decline. I eat a lot. I ate and talked with a couple Russian guys. They were friendly and very interested in my trip. Now I’m sitting outside, watching all the bugs crawling around with such haste and no apparent purpose. A giant spider just scurried past to the door, under the door, then back out again a few minutes later. Hopefully he will keep to himself tonight. My sleeping bag isn’t big enough for the both of us.

quaint sight in Virginia

not an ideal beach for me