After plenty of sleep in a nice bed, I was raring to go early this morning. I left at the same time as Folker and off I went up the hill for another good day of cycling in these beautiful mountains.

Early this morning I saw an animal that I have never seen in the wild, a beautiful porcupine. The porcupine is the third largest rodent in the world and happens to be nocturnal. It was still dark when I spotted it climbing up the bank on the side of the road. As I passed it, I spotted the quills and immediately knew what I had seen. I turned around to get my front light on it and watched it duck into the bushes. Amazing.

On a sad note, yesterday I saw a coyote dead by the road. Coyotes sometimes get a bad rap, but any roadside kill is a waste in my eyes no matter what the opinions may be for any unfortunate creature found flattened on the side of our roads.

A couple times today I came across a road closed sign. I always just keep on keeping on to check out just how bad the conditions are on down the road. I was lucky today, but I am always ready to take the long way around if necessary.

When you are crossing state lines on country roads there is no guarantee of being welcomed appropriately into a state. I really like the state line posts found coming into and out of Connecticut.

Riding a touch over five miles in Rhode Island should qualify me to form an opinion about the entire state, right? I mean the state only has just over 1,000 square miles of land making it the smallest state in our great nation. With a length 48 miles and width 37 miles, I knocked out quite a bit of it today, too funny.

Massachusetts obviously does not waste any money on state line signs in remote areas, but they do make sure a traveler knows they do not take kindly to repeat offenders of the littering. This warning sign was within ten feet of the state line. I also know they do not use any tax money on the roads out on these remote roads, just keeping it real here.

I was able to see quite a few lakes today once in Massachusetts. It is interesting how they just put a road in the middle of the lake versus building bridges.

Folker really has enjoyed Yuengling beer on our trip and it definitely has become our go to happy hour beer. I stopped for some refreshments this morning at a local store and found this nice sign. Not sure what the other sign really means. Gingervating? What is Gingervating?

Another American favorite of my traveling companion is Dunkin’ Donuts and who can blame him? That frozen coffee is to die for no doubt and it was super delicious this morning!

I am impressed with all the patriotism here in New England. I have seen numerous memorials in these beautiful small towns. Well done.

Today was a very pleasant day of riding. I love all the climbing and today it felt like my legs are wanting more and more of these hills, let’s go!