To Ocean City MD

May 9, 2024

The campground is actually pleasant this morning. It's in the high 60s and breezy enough to keep the bugs away. The fish gut stink has faded and I'm happily mapping routes at the picnic table. Four more tables are in service for breakfast, airing out sleeping bags and packing.

We have a WarmShowers stay in Lewes Delaware in a couple days that raised my awareness of the ferry from there to Cape May, New Jersey. It would send us on a different path north than where we were going, through Wilmington and Philadelphia. South Jersey looks more appealing than Philly as a way to get to New York so I'm switching up the maps.

Yesterday a west wind gave us a boost over the bridge to the island. When we start riding west back to the mainland this morning the wind has turned around to push us in that direction. Nice. Once we turn north the wind shifts around and seems to come from all directions in turns with a bit of rain now and then. These all feel like signs of a storm system moving in from the west.

The ride is really beautiful as we pedal into Maryland past soaring trees, small villages and farms. Once we turn east towards Ocean City a gusty headwind makes the last 15 miles a tough go. I'm beat by the time we get to the hotel. We're less than three miles from the shore but none of us is interested in going any further for a late afternoon beach walk. We'll see it tomorrow.