Water, Water, everywhere!

Wed.  7/7 Batavia

Must have when near Buffalo

After dinner, settled into the Super 8 Batavia.  The place is a little worn, and shares parking lot, ownership and staff with the Days Inn.  Apparently this business survived the pandemic by taking government vouchers to house otherwise homeless people.  I encountered a few long-term residents there.  Sounds to me like making lemonade out of lemons.

Thu. 7/8 - Pittsford (near Rochester)

Stayed at Dave's house.  He is the widower of my late sister (Liz) and a gracious host.  We met up at the Pittsford Dairy for sticky buns and coffee after the 40 mile ride under threatening skies, but the rain held off until just after we reached the house. 

Stephanie and Mike (long-time friends of Liz and Dave) came over for dinner.  Mike is a musician and engineer and played his mandolin a little after dinner.  The next morning, we went over to their house, which is on a wooded lot about 10 min away for a wonderful pancake breakfast.

Fri. 7/9 - Syracuse

Since the forecast was for rain across the area, I again turned to Amtrak to keep me on track (I should copyright that!).   After the short train ride (1:20) I stopped off at Dinosaur Barbecue for a late lunch before heading to the Jefferson Clinton Hotel, which is downtown amid a plethora of bars and restaurants.  Surprised that Syracuse was such a happening place.  

Sat. 7/10 - Rome
After a fairly easy 45 mile ride arrived in Rome.  Decent sized town.  Highlight was Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin for dinner at Sugarbeets.

Sun. 7/11 - Into the Adirondacks in the rain
So much rain has fallen recently in the Adirondacks that water was flowing over the dam I passed by about 30 miles east of Rome.  Sure would be nice to be able to move some of that water to CA.

The politics of this region is typical of rural America.

Someone was having a bad hair day!

Rode about 45 miles of my 65 mile day before the rain started.   Hitchhiked to get out to the rain around 2PM and got a ride (no room in the cab, so had to ride in the back of the pickup with the bike) to the Oxbow Inn, a bar/restaurant in Piseco.   From there, caught a ride to Speculator with Mike who was at the bar.  Thanks!   It rained all night and into the morning.  Forecast was dicey for Monday as well, so arranged another ride with Bob, the 82-year old owner of the motel I was at.

Mon. 7/12 - Middlebury
Had arranged to meet my nephew in Ticonderoga.  He's in a summer Spanish immersion program at Middlebury College, a 45-min drive from Ticonderoga.  Because I got a  45 miles ride closer to Ticonderoga from Bob I was able to meet Aaron about 15 minutes closer to Middlebury.  Nice dinner at Two Brothers Tavern, the only restaurant open on Monday (other than McDonalds) .   Hadn't seen Aaron since 2014.  Glad we could meet up.

It rained all night here, and is raining now (Tuesday) so I'm writing this blog waiting for the rain to let up before heading out to White River Junction, VT on the NH border.   It's a 70-mile,  2700ft vertical ride.   A bit of a challenge.  Almost no services between here and there.