A living chronicle of my adventure biking across the States. I'm headed back home to Seattle from school in Saratoga Springs, NY and I'm flying solo. Got so goddamn tired of the airlines that I've made my own: Trans-Love Airways. I'm powered on it and hoping to spread some while I'm at it. Lots of folks might be wondering about me while I disappear for a few months, so instead of keeping them in the dark I'll spread to word to everybody here with photos and tales etc... Hope yall enjoy.
Route Map
This is pretty much the route, just imagine starting a little bit south of Ticonderoga and going a bit South after Anacortes. Thanks to the good people at the Adventure Cycling Association, they know what they're doing.
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
Day 7
Trans-Love Airways gained its first co-pilot today. The lovely Karen who was my host last night graciously escorted me out of the city of Rochester and on to the Erie canalway.
Glad to have her along; the way out was certainly a lot easier than the way in. We passed many quaint homes in the city and then through the University of Rochester campus and finally up and over a bridge where are the Genesee River in Erie Canal cross. On the outskirts of town we could see the skyline come into view.
We split ways where the pavement turned to gravel, and I was on my way. The path continued, nearly unchanged past Brickport, Spencerport, Albion, Holley, and Middleport.
The simplicity of the ride was a nice change of speed. Whenever I felt like it, I could pull over, sit a spell and enjoy the scenery. The cottonwoods were so active, almost felt like it was snowing.
The weather was finally on my side and I dawned my shades most of the way. In case you were wondering how my beard was coming along or how the inside of my nostrils were holding up, here's a video I took today.
Made it as far as Gasport and figured I wouldn't find much easy camping closer to the city of Lockport, so I pulled over off the Canal Way and pitched my tent behind a couple of trees where I thought no one would bother me. Still close enough to town to walk over the bridge and grab some water to make dinner with (not drinking that canal water... yugg). Heated up a quick can of soup over the stove and hit the hay. Ready for another day.
OK, we're finally catching up on your odyssey. This part of the trip takes me back to New York State days. My college roomie, Brian, was from Herkimer. He played in a rock band, and I remember hanging out with him one bitter cold winter weekend when they played in Old Forge. And the Tevs camped at Indian Lake and even Moose River (well, if my memory serves me, we actually didn't say long because of the black flies.)
After living on the West Coast for so long, I forget that back East (and this includes the Midwest), the states are filled with tiny towns, many or most of them a part of the vast Rust Belt. Your trip will be good for the soul of the universe, as we need more interactions between and among our polarized selves. You are getting the close-up, road-in-your-face view of this big sprawling craziness. Thanks for taking notes. Safe journeys. -- Uncle Michael
Hi Finn,
ReplyDeleteOK, we're finally catching up on your odyssey. This part of the trip takes me back to New York State days. My college roomie, Brian, was from Herkimer. He played in a rock band, and I remember hanging out with him one bitter cold winter weekend when they played in Old Forge. And the Tevs camped at Indian Lake and even Moose River (well, if my memory serves me, we actually didn't say long because of the black flies.)
After living on the West Coast for so long, I forget that back East (and this includes the Midwest), the states are filled with tiny towns, many or most of them a part of the vast Rust Belt. Your trip will be good for the soul of the universe, as we need more interactions between and among our polarized selves. You are getting the close-up, road-in-your-face view of this big sprawling craziness. Thanks for taking notes. Safe journeys. -- Uncle Michael