The next morning, I took my time. It was less than 20 miles to Yorktown.

I had the Breakfast Buffet at Days Inn for $4.25

The official end of the Bikecentennial Trail was the Yorktown Victory Monument, which commemorated our victory in the revolutionary war. All through the trip, I had a vision of what the monument would look like. I had pictured it as a statue in a town square, maybe a life-size figure, maybe a little larger. I imagined myself getting my picture taken next to it, perhaps touching it or imitating its pose.

Upon arriving in Yorktown, I saw some stones outside the Victory Center. Could those humble stones have been the monument? I looked for a plaque nearby, but could find none.

Continuing on, I went under a bridge, then saw a flag, surrounded by some metal plaques with figures on them. I scanned each one, but none of them said “Victory Monument.” I then decided that I would follow the signs to the visitors center, then ask where the victory monument really was.

And then, coming over the hill, I saw it. There could be no mistake. The Victory Monument soared grand and tall, incandescent in the sunlight. It was a symphony to behold. The air was clear, and the cool seabreeze drifted in from the river.

I spent some time sitting on the steps at the base of the monument, praying and reflecting on my experiences. The trip wasn’t over yet, but it was rapidly drawing to a close. I asked a passerby to take my picture.

I had a meal at Nick’s Seafood Pavilion in Yorktown. Fancy! Quite a selection.