How life should be...

YOU BET - this is not an ordinary month!!

Hello again from Nyack, N.Y.

The final countdown has begun and tommorow we cycle across the George Washington Bridge into Manhattan - with about 3,300 miles under our belts - yee-hah!! The weather forecast is for rain but who cares - Manhattan here we come!

Since leaving Williamstown, Massachusetts on Tuesday we've had some amazing scenery and again some incredible experiences of American hospitality at it's best. In one town we stayed in I had emailed a woman named Linda regarding accomodation via the www.warmshowers.org website (basically the cyclists equivalent of couchsurfers, offering a place to pitch your tent, a sofa and/or a bed etc). She responded almost immediately with the reply that we were welcome to come stay - but that she was not going to be there and that she would leave the house unlocked for us! WOW!! So here we were staying in a strangers beautiful home without having ever met or her being there! Linda - you are amazing - thanks so much! (She is a grandmother who wins triathalons and makes jewellry as a hobby).

Yesterday morning (which by the way was an unusually warm day - about 23 degs C/ 73 degs F) - as we cycled down the Hudson River Valley, we stopped at a cafe for breakfast and of course got into the usual conversation with three people in their 60's who came over and asked where we were cycling etc. They were so in awe and kept repeating - "God bless you, God bless you". We engaged in more conversation - discovering they were 2 sisters and a brother - out enjoying a coffee together. As they left - they said to us that there was no cost for our breakfst today as they had just paid the bill!! WOW! We were pretty blown away of course and so grateful for such a kind act towards us.

Trusting someone enough to stay in your home even when you haven't met. Paying for someone's meal because you admire their journey and the abilty to achieve a goal. Isn't that how life should be?

The senery this week has been just what you would think of as New England in Fall. The colors are amazing and some of the houses are stunning.

We have free-camped twice this week too - once behind a disused (we hope!) church, and last night we slept on picnic tables in a pavillion by a football field in Cold Springs, right beside the Hudson River, with frequent trains passing in the night coming/going to NY City.

Today is Nicole's birthday and we cycled about 20 miles before having a FANTASTIC breakfast in a diner at Stony Point - just South of Bear Mountain State Park - on the West side of the Hudson. We stay on this side now until we cross into Manahttan tomorrow morning. Tonight we are inm a motel enjoying some warmth and dry - as the temps are much lower today (about 10 degs C/ 50 F) and rain is due tonight.

We are both super excited about reaching New York City of course and also a little sad that this amazing ride is coming to an end! Phase Two of our trip involves involves buying a car (In New Jersey) and getting back to San Francisco by Dec 4th via the souther states). We will ship our bikes back to San Fran and bring them back to NZ with us - they seem to be part of us now!

Many of you have written that commenting on our blog is still an issue. Sorry about that but we'd still love to hear from you so please send us your comments at our email addresses. Thanks.

See you in NEW YORK CITY tomorrow!!

(More Pics to follow - enjoy)

Marty