Today was our longest on record, 110 kilometers or about 70 miles. This is double the distance we usually plan to cycle in a day. Thanks to gorgeous sunny skies and a gentle downgrade leading to the mouth of the Vale of Tempe, we cruised along happily at speeds ranging from 20 to 35kph (about 12 to 20mph) for several hours.

It felt really good to put some distance behind us, and it was even better to do it with ease. We were so completely in "the zone" that we didn't stop even once to take photos. For us, this is a rare occurrence usually reserved for rainy days! The scenery reminded me a little of home, a patchwork quilt of farms and fields… if I ignored the mountains in the distance.

We were on a roll, and consequently, not a lot happened. Now we're settled down at yet another great free-camp, this one by a river just outside the valley. There is some sort of carcass rotting on its muddy banks—looks like a dog went to town on a goat? This was fun to look at as Tara trimmed my hair during the remaining hour of daylight.

Somehow, even after all of our pedaling, we're not really hungry so there's no need to cook a fancy supper. We'll be eating through our supply of pretzels and cookies for dinner as we settle in to watch Star Trek!

Tomorrow we make our way through the Tempi Valley, which we're told is closed. I am confident we can find a way through. If I'm wrong, it'll mean a lot of back tracking and mountain climbing. Here's hoping!