In Syracuse I was not feeling too well and had an easy/early evening. I'm pretty sure that I did not stay hydrated during the ride from Toronto. I ride with a Camel back and typically drink 1 whole bag/day, but from Toronto to Syracuse I only drank 1/2 a bag. My goal for the Syracuse to Connecticut leg is to focus on:
The process I've settled into is: Get lost leaving the current city, ride on backroads until lunch, and then take a main Highway and get to the next town.
The roads in upstate New York are amazing. While the roads in the Ozarks were fun, it was a short ride. I spent all morning going through the small roads and had a total blast. I decided to do a motorcycle ride for several reasons, roads like this are at the top of the list (they actually have a lot of turns and twists):
At lunch I had to eat at a McDonald's. It bummed me out for two reasons. First, I haven't eaten at McDonald's for years. I didn't want to break that streak, but I also needed to eat. Second, there was a lady in the restaurant that yelled and sniped at her kid the entire time. We've all seen kids in public that are out of control, with yelling and running, etc... but this little girl was very quiet and just sitting there. I've been known to open my mouth when there are things that make me unhappy, but I decided to keep my mouth shut, eat my crappy meal and get back on the road. I know: not a good part of the story, but it made me think and made me sad.
I passed by Colgate college and WOW! In my next life, I want to go to Colgate college. As I type this, it's dawning on me that I need to get off the bike more and take more pictures. Sorry, no pictures of Colgate, but that school must be costly to attend.
On the backroads, there are a lot of small cemeteries so I decided to stop and check one out. Wandering around, I found the headstone of a soldier who died in the Revolutionary War. I have the utmost respect for veterans and their commitment to protecting this country. But this guy's commitment was to make the country... how amazing is that?
Heading back on to the Highways I found that my path would take me on several toll roads. My advice to all of you: don't get in line behind the guy on the motorcycle. Here is the description of my pay the toll process:
Stop at booth
Take left glove off (money is in left pant pocket)
Search for zipper
Realize I need my right hand to find/unzip zipper
Take right hand glove off
Finally get zipper open and pull wallet out of pocket
Pull bill out
Hope it's the right amount
Ignore the guy honking behind me
Pay toll booth operator
Get change
Oops - dropped a glove
Ignore the guy honking behind me
Get off bike and pick up glove
Ignore the guy honking behind me
Get back on bike
Try and put change in pocket (should have done that when I was off the bike)
Flip off the guy honking behind me
Search for zipper again
Finally close zipper
Ignore the guy honking behind me
Put on gloves
Flip off the guy again just for good measure
Leave toll booth.
As I approached the bigger cities, the traffic became increasingly more hectic. I don't like riding on the highway in traffic and my head was most certainly on a swivel. Finally crossed into Connecticut, but since I was on the major Highway I was not able to get a picture of the state sign. I'll need to get that later...
Final stop for leg one of the trip: Norwalk, Ct. Where Tracey and my girls have flown in to visit my Brother-in-law and his family (with new Nephew - 3 month old Bennett!). We will spend the next week or so enjoying family, going to a Red Sox / Yankees game, Broadway show, etc...
So for week one of my sabbatical I have traveled over 3200 miles and passed through the following states: New Mexico - Colorado - Kansas - Tennessee - Kentucky - Indiana - Ohio - Michigan - Ontario, Canada - New York - Connecticut.
I will not updated the blog for several days, so folks please don't worry as I am off the bike and 'safely' traveling in a car.
Breakfast in Norwalk with Brittany and Stuart:
So, one thing you've learned is how to speak Newyorkese, with sign language.
ReplyDeleteGood on 'ya, mate!
Dad