Bill Weidenfeller
Home: Naples, FL
Hobbies: Biking, Tennis
Posted: Mon, 5 October 2009
THE LOSS OF A FRIEND
Tragically and unexpectedly on Sunday
evening October 4th at our B&B in Queensland, NS, our friend and
fellow cyclist Peter Crowell died of an apparent massive heart attack.
Several of us had ridden in the van with him
all day. It was a dark, stormy day,
unfit for cycling, but enjoyable for all of us as we stopped in small
The reality of his death has shaken me. The suddenness comes as a reminder that life
is so fragile.
The rapid response of
We had all spoken of the previous day’s
coastal bike ride from Liverpool to
Peter Crowell was a fine man; accomplished
in business, and surrounded by a loving family.
He was a friend to all and a man who spoke his mind plainly. He demonstrated his faith and generosity
continually. He was my good friend! I will miss him!
Joyce and I left Halifax, NS immediately and
returned to New London, NH. We wanted to express our condolences to his
family. We will participate in his
funeral remembrance service on October 10 in
May God Bless you,
Peter!
Posted: Sun, 4 October 2009
RAIN OUT
Our mood this morning was as sour as the Halloween character pictured above. It was windy, rainy and rain was forecast for the entire day.
Only Elizabeth and Steve ventured out on their bikes for a 40 mile soaking ride. Peter, Dan, Rick and Kathie and Joyce and I rode in the van. We enjoyed the Sunday Rain Out.
It remained gray and rainy all day as we looked out the windows at the white capped waves on the ocean and bays. The fishing boats and pleasure boats remained tied to their buoys on this wet weather Sunday.
The town of
Joyce and Dan stood for a photo near one display, while Joyce and I visited the pumpkin stand. The colorful fruits and vegetables look ready for Canadian Thanksgiving to celebrated next weekend
Our B&B in
We hope to be back on the bikes tomorrow for our visit to the famous Peggy’s Cove.
Bill
Posted: Sat, 3 October 2009
THE
Today’s 52 mile
ride along
At the 20 miles mark the SAG stop was at a local “Penny auction” in East Port Medway at the Community Center. The town folks were raising money to improve the Center—“It is all we have left”, I was told. The tiny and ageing community was forced to close the school and sel the church for lack of funds. The people were great—welcoming us and showing interest in our journey. Joyce talked with one of the citizens before getting back on the bike.
We kept the “ocean on our right”, so there was little need for directions. Our only difficulty today was trying to limit our photographs—we had so many post card scene photo opportunities.
With only 12 miles to go to our B&B in Lunenburg we had the Le Have River to cross by cable ferry. While waiting for the boat’s scheduled departure time, an excellent nearby bakery welcomed us in for a quick lunch
The historic town
of
Bill
Posted: Fri, 2 October 2009
MOBY DICK
The 45 mile route
today took us from the “bleak” town of
We have been hearing about the excitement for days from folks in the towns along the coast. “Donald Sutherland, William Hurt., Ethan Hawke etc. are all in Shelburne for the movie”, we were told. We were looking forward to our visit.
It was a very pleasant morning, but it got greyer and more cloudy as we rode the last few miles into town. The last few miles into town were ridden in the rain. The landscape was easy on the eyes; the rocky shoreline, the tidal bogs, the rivers, and forests in their autumn dress.
We noticed many
homes with stacks of lobster traps in the yard.
In front of one home with a barking yellow Lab, I stopped. The owner came out from behind his traps to
chat-(I love the
We rode into Shelburne and went directly to our B&B on the waterfront.
Beautiful gardens nearby were an indication of the “smartness” and appeal of Shelburne.
We had reserved all of the rooms at the inn, but one. The other guest
We were excited to hear was movie star Donald Sutherland, staying with his wife. We saw him only to wave hello as he departed for the set located down the street.
The church above is on the film set. It was built there 2 weeks ago for the movie, but gives the appearance of being more than 100 years old. Amazing! Donald Sutherland will play the part of the preacher.
To celebrate Elizabeth’s and Peter’s birthdays, we dined at the best spot in town. Great group, great night!
Bill
Posted: Fri, 2 October 2009
LUNCH WITH
DONALD SUTHERLAND
I began the day behind the steering
wheel. It was my day to drive the
van. I was a bith apprehensive about
pulling a big wide trailer, but actually all went very well. It was only a 20 mile driving shift and on
very quiet country roads with no tricky maneuvers. Besides, I had Dan in the van with his GPS
telling me every up-coming turn, and Joyce with a map and instructions
confirming the route. At the 20 mile
mark we parked the van and got our bikes out of the trailer, locked it up for
the next driver who was on the road, and departed. We had a 45 mile bike ride ahead of us along
the coast and into
It was again a cold
and grey morning- undershirt, leg and arm warmers, and a jacket at a minimum
. The route remained the
The Fall colors are surprisingly good. We are not too late in the season for the bright reds, light yellows and browns. They reflect beautifully off the lakes and ponds. I also enjoy the colors in the bogs and tidal pools that are so common near the ocean. The bog grasses are shades of rusty brown.
Ten miles out of
Liverpool we stopped at
The
Quarterdeck beach side restaurant
beckoned us in for lunch. Rick, Joyce
and I were alone in the enclosed deck overlooking the beach and ocean when we
ordered our seafood lunch. Then we had
the pleasure of having Donald Sutherland and his wife join us at a nearby
table. We spoke about the movie Moby
Dick, his travels in
Bill
Posted: Thu, 1 October 2009
THE LIGHTHOUSE ROUTE
On our first day
cycling in
It was a beautiful morning, cool early but warming as the day progressed. We experienced some wind and we are told it will continue and even increase as the month progresses.
We were biking in
the region formally called
Power generating wind mills and piles of sea moss on shore rocks were a part of the varied landscape along the coast.
We were welcomed to
Bill
Posted: Thu, 1 October 2009
THE FERRY
RIDE TO NOVA
Our group has now increased to 8 cyclists with the addition of Kathie and Rick (FL) and Steve (VA), all of whom arrived today.
We assembled early,
loaded the van and departed for the ferry terminal in
In a dreary driving
rain we pulled out of
Our B&B in town, A Victorian style home had “Seven suites each representing a decade which featured a journey through time. From the 1900’s room (mine) to the 1960’s room our guests are transported back through the generations of this home”. It was a very interesting place located in a cluster of Victorian B&B’s.
We walked in the evening chill through the small downtown area and down to the waterfront for dinner. Commercial fishing boats were numerous in the harbor.
We learned that
We are prepared to begin the much awaited biking of Coastal Nova Scotia tomorrow.
Bill
Posted: Mon, 28 September 2009
CADILLAC MOUNTAIN SUMMIT
This morning we
rode about 6 miles on
The town of
On the long climb up the mountain we had many opportunities to stop briefly at the numerous scenic overlooks. We took advantage of only a few, mainly to take photographs. But from the seat of a bicycle you do not miss much. We saw some grand shots of nature.
After our descent, a slow, safe ride down the mountain, we stopped for lunch at the Jordan Pond House, a popular spot with good food and great views!
Dan and I got off the bikes at a road side waterfall for a photo op.
The ride home (our
B&B) in the mid-afternoon sun was an up and down affair in the
Bill
Posted: Sun, 27 September 2009
RENNER'S RIDERS
Our tour planner, director and fellow rider, Elizabeth Renner from Sisters, OR is pictured above wearing the team “colors”. The blue sweatshirts with the logo “Renner’s Riders-Nova Scotia 2009” were presented to the early arrivals at dinner last night. Joyce had them made for everyone as a souvenir of the tour-- and to stay warm in this northern climate. They are a big hit!
The loaded van
boarded by 5 cyclists departed this morning for
We stopped briefly
in
“Coolest
I joined in with the “Faces of Belfast” for a photo.
After crossing the
We ride in
Bill
Posted: Sat, 26 September 2009
TUNE UP RIDE
DAY
We pulled into the L-O-N-G driveway leading to Peter’s 60 acre ESTATE thinking our GPS had made a mistake. This looked like a country club or resort B&B…but it was in fact Peter’s house, as we saw Peter, Dan and Elizabeth waiting in the driveway.
The 5 of us are
meeting here to ride a few days in New England before heading for
We began our first day with a most interesting tour of the Durgin-Crowell Lumber Company, owned by Peter. They produce high quality Eastern White Pine yard-grade lumber for knotty pine paneling and framing etc. We walked the successive steps from the wood yard, sawmill and on to the finishing operations. It was a beautiful late September day; cool, crisp and filled with the colors of early autumn.
Joyce and I were invited to lunch by Audubon C.C. friends, Sue and Spike, at the nearby Lake Sunapee Country Club. We enjoyed our time together and caught up on our respective summer happenings and travels.
In the afternoon we
all took a “tune up” bike ride in the
The Floridians are having some trouble keeping WARM enough, a worrisome thought as we head further north where COLDER weather awaits us.
See this morning’s frost and strings of mist coming off the lake demonstrate the colder temperatures.
Burrrr….
Bill