Day 4: Orleans to Gien

Kenneth:

Wow. Today was, no joke, one of the best days of my life. Yes, Paris was enchanting, but there was no girl there with me.  Out on the open road, passing cornfield after cornfield on one side, the Loire river fewer than ten paces from the other side; this is the life.

I knew this would be terribly beautiful, but the more surprising thing to me is the price of groceries! For 5 euros, we were able to buy a wheel of Brie, some salami, a baguette, and a bottle of olives. Then, here is the most beautiful part of the whole day: we happened upon a farm where we could pick our own fruit. Exactly one euro and one pound of strawberries later, I simply could not believe our good fortune on this day. We have pitched our tent about ten feet from the Loire, and I just couldn't be happier.

Alex:

I'm back! Sorry for not writing yesterday, but you wouldn't have wanted to read the string of selected items from my French Canadian vocabulary that I barked at Kenneth when he asked me if I wanted to write something last night after what I will forever remember as "Bike Hell". Bike Hell is a place where your legs burn, Orleans is always 20 miles away, and Kenneth is behind you woefully bemoaning the imminent nightfall. 

Today, by comparison, was heaven. I am writing now from a restaurant in a luxurious camping ground, overlooking the Loire river and the quaint little burg of Gien on the northern bank. 

We rode briskly but comfortably from Orleans, stopping frequently for gherkins, fruit and cheese. Around 3:30 we made it to Sully sur Loire and relaxed by the shady moat of an impressive castle.