Northeast Ride – Day Four

After last night’s post I spent the next hour alone by the campfire. Alone with my thoughts which ranged from memories of past trips to what should’ve been. It’s no secret I miss Dad, but I miss him most on these trips. And as much as I want to give it up and go back to normal life, I owe it to him to finish this. I owe it to myself. And, Lord willing, the mission will be accomplished. Every mile gets a little bit easier and every day I feel a little more free.

Late start today. Time change screwed me up. Didn’t wake until after 8:00 and wasn’t on the road until almost 9:30. Chilly start too. I did bring my jacket this year but haven’t pulled it out yet. Off we went towards Niagara.

Today was more farmland with a small vineyard every so often. The vineyards eventually grew larger but I never saw anything like the ones I passed out west. And it wasn’t long before I made it to the New York state line. The farmlands had lessened and given way to tree lined highways. Some of the trees have already started to yellow so I can only imagine what it will look like in the coming weeks.

I made it into Buffalo around lunch time and Lake Erie was once again in view. That’s where trouble started. Nothing major, just construction and detours. Detours don’t register on GPS so a wrong turn led to a dead end down by the lake, and a few extra miles. Once back on the right detour path I was soon back on track and after yet another toll road, made it into Niagara Falls around 1:00.

The falls are certainly something to see. However, as you can see, they produce a lot of mist making it difficult to get a good photo. I think the view would be better from the Canadian side. Keep that in mind if you’re planning a trip. I’ll add a couple more photos below.

Back on the road to find some lunch. Nothing serious. It’s got to be quick and simple since I made the stop in Niagara. Another toll road travel plaza lunch. This time Tim Horton’s. It’s fast food but I’ve never had it so I gave it a go. Probably won’t try it again. $8 for a sandwich I’ve made at home many times before. But, due to the late start, I skipped breakfast and needed something.

I finally got off the toll roads when I made my cut north at Syracuse. Free interstate for several miles. Coming off the interstate was almost another wrong turn fiasco. Apparently Libby’s GPS actually listened to me after Buffalo. After all the times she told me she was rerouting and me responding with, “Shut up, I got this!”, she listened and I nearly missed my exit. Off the interstate and onto a two lane road towards Potsdam. I stopped to gas up, turned the bike off and after turning it back on, the problem had corrected itself.

I spent about 50 miles on highway 11. Slow going as the top speed limit is 55mph and, like back home, small towns pop up every few miles. More farm lands up here and all of them seem to have big red barns. All different styles and almost all larger than the farm house they belong to. The landscape had become “scented” too. More livestock. Cattle, an unmistakable smell, and even a large sheep farm. Had to have been at least a couple hundred head. I even had my first Amish road experience. Passed a horse drawn wagon driven by a couple of boys with straight brim straw hats. And by boys I mean 13ish. No adult present. A short while later I passed a buggy, just like you may have seen on TV or in photos. Single horse, two wheels and small open window in the back. I expect I’ll see more tomorrow.

Made it into Potsdam right before dark. Apparently its a college town as Greeks letters adorn the front of houses here and there. Tonight is a scheduled hotel night. I wanted to push it off one more day but after losing so much time decided I wasn’t in the mood to set up camp in the dark, find food in the dark and then get back to camp in the dark. But no worries, I can stick to my original plan and camp the next three nights and get my next hotel night on Saturday. There’s a big game on TV from what I understand.

The hotel clerk recommended a place down the street called 1/2 Ton’s. Good food and cold beer. I passed it and had to make a round about through a neighborhood but got there no problem. Place was empty aside from the bar. Regulars from what I could tell. I grabbed a seat at the bar and struck up conversation with my neighbors. A fellow biker who doesn’t ride much (he lives here in upstate New York, short riding season) and a little old lady who served as a medic in Vietnam and had a fondness for the f-bomb. I guess I can’t blame her. At eighteen years old she was tasked with riding in medic choppers and deciding who got to be loaded and who stayed because they were beyond saving. I can’t imagine what that would be like for anyone, much less an eighteen year old girl.

We traveled another 483 miles today, 2011 miles total so far. I should make it into Maine tomorrow and possibly into Massachusetts. I should also get a normal start too. So, sleep well my friends and should you have one, enjoy your work day.

For I must be traveling on now, cause there’s too many place I’ve got to see.