By LAC member Karen Watterson

After a hiatus due to the pandemic, Gillian and other members of the Ladies Adventure Club pedaled out for the first adventure in months. On Wednesday, July 15, a group of eight met at UNE in Biddeford for a leisurely and scenic bike ride. Before departing, Gillian introduced us to a new LAC ritual, imparting information about people who first lived upon the land we were using. Biddeford was home to Native American tribes including the Abenaki, who fished and farmed there centuries ago. We are all thankful for this beautiful part of Maine.

The group first headed out towards Fortune’s Rocks Beach, a community bound by the beach on one side and marshland on the other. The road was flat with very little traffic, allowing us to admire the views, the houses, and the birdlife. We were lucky enough to spot tall Egrets and several Glossy Ibis (they look black but actually have a gradation from rosy to black) in the marsh. From there, we took the aptly-named Mile Stretch Road to Biddeford Pool, between the ocean and the calm tidal “pool.” We rode towards the village, where there are many historic and charming homes, as well as the impressive Marie Joseph Spiritual Center, a seaside convent built in the late 19^th century. At the tip of the peninsula is the East Point Sanctuary, where we laid aside our bikes, and donned masks for a short walk to the end and spectacular views of Wood Island Lighthouse, Saco Bay, and the Gulf of Maine. Hydrangea and beach roses in bloom added a colorful touch.

We wound our way back down the Mile Stretch to UNE, riding at a pace that was easy enough to chat, catching up on the social interaction we’ve all been missing. The total ride was about 14 miles, a successful and gentle re-entry back into the Ladies Adventure Club.

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