Day #50 Saturday September 29, 2007

Day #50

Saturday September 29, 2007

Twin Mountain, NH to Farmington, ME

126 miles today (24,466 – 24,592)

10,025 miles total
1 new state today: Maine
28 states total

I slept pretty fair until about 3AM when some “critter” on the Kabin roof woke me up.
Don’t know what it was but it hopped around for 20 minutes or more. I've never seen a moose...could it be???? (NO! I didn't really think it was a MOOSE! Maybe "meese"...)

The temp dropped to 45 degrees last night. My little electric heater helped keep it comfortable, nice and toasty. I could take a good look around now that it was daylight. Riding in “moose country” after dark was not high on my “things I like to do” list! I visited with one traveler this morning who lives in Maine. He told me that over the last 20 years he has hit 9 deer and 2 moose. Again, that does not instill me with confidence as I journey into the far northeastern corner of the USA. Will just have to be extra diligent about watching for them.

After I left camp about 9:30AM, I rode 1 mile to gas up and make a picture of the Twin Mtn. post office. Then I rode 9 more miles to the Mt. Washington Cog Railway Station. I wouldn’t ride again until after 3PM. The Cog Railway Train was built in the 1930’s (I think) as a way to get people up Mt. Washington in a safer manner. I purchased my ticket and had to wait an hour for the noon train going to the top. I bought a cup of coffee and took a seat out in the lobby just watching people. Eventually, a couple on bikes pulled in and we got to visiting (of course!). He grew up in Madawaska, Maine and of course was intrigued by my whole journey. His father still lives in Van Buren, just 13 miles from Madawaska. I think the couple lived in Boston, MA.

He asked me to call his dad when I got to Madawaska. I agreed.

The ride up Mt. Washington in the refitted passenger car, pushed by “the little engine that could” was over an hour long. The weather was pleasant when we boarded, even the sun was peeking through every now and then. But, as we climbed to the top, things began to change, and drastically. We were shrouded in clouds, or fog, and the wind began to get up a little. When we stepped off the train at the Mt. Washington observatory, the air temp was 32 degrees, and the wind was blowing steadily between 50 and 62 mph! Zoom in on the weather station photo above. I thought it was going to knock me down. It was really amazing! The train was there at the top only 20 minutes, but enough time to get souvenirs, coffee and a trip to the bathroom.

Some folks had driven to the top, and others (college age kids?) had actually hiked! The trip back down was a lot quicker and the weather was MUCH warmer at the bottom. However, I never did get comfortably warm again while riding yesterday. Wearing my half helmet contributed to that, but I wanted to experience a little more of the northeast scenery.

Once I left the rail station about 3PM, without lunch, I made my way to US 2 where I followed it out of New Hampshire and into Maine. I wanted to make Bangor, but it was just much further than I thought. I asked the driving time at 3 different stops and got about the same answer. I’d ride an hour, ask “how long to get to Bangor” and hear “oh, about an hour.” After 2 hours I quit asking! US 2 here was in bad shape for the most part. It appears some construction is getting started to straighten it out, widen the shoulders and make it a much better road.

Just outside Mexico, ME, about 5:30 PM, the odometer hit 24, 567 miles which was the 10,000 mile point for me on this trip. 10,000 miles on day #50…pretty neat. I’ve actually done a little more than that, 300-400 miles, but they were running errands in West KY when I was there in late August and early September, so I don’t count those. I’ve already got to start thinking of somewhere to get my next 4,000 mile service done on the bike. I’d like to get south of Wash. DC, but I’ll just have to see how the next week goes.

I finally pulled off for the night in Farmington, ME at the first place I saw. I was cold and I didn’t want to ride in the dark again…in “moose country.” I headed to dinner down the road at a truck stop. I had a great meal and rode back in the dark, but it was less than half a mile, so I wasn’t too concerned.

Tomorrow I hope to make Madawaska, Maine, corner #2 of my “2007 Four Corners Tour.” From there it’s south along the eastern seaboard to FLA!

Day #49 Friday September 28, 2007

Day #49
Friday September 28, 2007
Potsdam, NY to Twin Mountain, NH
308 miles today (24,158 – 24,466)
9,899 miles total
2 new states today: Vermont, New Hampshire
27 states total

I got out before 7AM today. Finally leaving Potsdam, NY! It was cool, about 55 when I left and went outside. I rode about an hour east to Malone, NY where I stopped for breakfast. The food wasn’t nearly as good as the morning before. There were lots of locals sitting at the U shaped counter. Politics, business, and their own medical conditions were among topics bantered about, peppered with the language of guys who don't know how to speak in public....

The sky is already beginning to lighten up some, even showing some blue here and there. I’m hoping and praying that the sun will break through the cloud cover shortly.

I headed out from Malone south on NY 30 to Paul Smiths, then on NY 86 to Saranac Lake and on to Lake Placid. Lake Placid was the home of the winter Olympics in 1932 and then again in 1980. There were lots of neat buildings, old hotels, and very “historical looking” buildings all over. Of course, there are the Olympic venue buildings. After making a picture of the old post office, I headed out of town on NY 73 to JOHN BROWN’S FARM!

What an interesting place this was. I found his gravesite, his farm house, his barn as well as the 1980 Olympic ski jumping buildings/jumps. The John Brown farm even had a tour guide who was reciting some history about him, his family and his work as an abolitionist. I think he and I have something in common besides our name. He had a HUGE rock in his yard. He referred to it as his “thinking rock.” It was as big as a truck I’d guess. I've told Natalie I'd like a "big rock" in our back yard someday...or a caboose! From here, I traveled on NY 9N to Keene, Elizabethtown and Westport. I stayed on 9N to Port Henry where I gassed up, then crossed Lake Champlain and entered Vermont.

I stopped in Vergennes where I had lunch at the Hungry Bear (I think that was the place) just a block off the court square. I sat directly behind 3 people, whom I would later find out had Oregon connections! When I left and got to the bike, these same 3 people were walking toward me. The man told me he was from Beaverton, Oregon! Wow! Way out here in Vergennes, VT I would meet some Oregonians. Amazing. Of the two women, one was from Thousand Oaks, California. I’ll have to look that up, as I don’t know where that is. I got my second lunch invitation! We visited for several minutes, he made a couple of pictures and we were all on our way.

Once in Vermont, I snaked my way through the little towns of Monkton, Monkton Ridge, Hinesburg and Richmond before finally arriving in Waterbury, VT. If you don’t recognize Waterbury, it is the home of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream! I took the tour, ate some strawberry shortcake ice cream, then hit the road. I wanted to make New Hampshire, so I made a reservation before leaving the ice cream tour at the closest KOA with wireless service. This proved to be more hassle than I realized at the time. It was located in a little out of the way place called Twin Mtn., NH. It was located off of I-93 about 20 miles. The problem was, it was getting to be dusk as I hit the interstate. I stopped at a rest stop to double check my directions, and a stranger cautioned me about the moose in the area, and the fact it would be dark before I got there. There were moose warning signs regularly along the dark road. One particular signed mentioned there were hundreds of moose/auto collisions every year. YIKES! I’ve never seen a moose in my life (that I can recall), and just didn’t know what to expect. Would they charge me? Could I scare them away? I didn’t know…one guy told me to duck, as they are so big I might be able to ride UNDER them! Good grief!! I came to a stoplight out in the middle of nowhere, and as my light turned green a NH State Trooper pulled up to my left at the intersection, signaling he would be turning in my direction. I pulled off immediately after clearing the intersection and flagged him down. This is the 3rd time I’ve flagged down cops and have always got EXCELLENT help! This time, he pulled in front of me and hit the blue lights as it was dark by now. I went to the passenger side and told him I had missed a turn or something, and was looking for a KOA at Twin Mtn. He pointed me back to the intersection, and let me know I was within 2 miles. I thanked him profusely and told him he was a “Godsend” for me! It was getting cold, and I had been cold for a long time.

I found the KOA, checked in my cabin, covered the bike, sent email home and
hit the hay. I traveled a LOT later than I wanted in “moose country” and I was beat.

Day #48 Thursday September 27, 2007

Day #48
Thursday September 27, 2007

Potsdam, NY to Potsdam, NY
0 miles today (24,132 – 24,132)
9,565 miles total

0 new states today
25 states total

Rain, rain, and more rain...
Stuck in Potsdam, NY. It started raining within 30 minutes of me pulling in last night, and it rained off and on all night. Nearly an inch of rain is forecast for here and any direction where I would be heading. I knew I would have to take one down day due to the rain, but I was hoping it would be tomorrow when I would be closer, or even at, Corner #2 in Madawaska, ME. So, I will stay put today, and probably take a cab anywhere I would want/need to go. I have great wi-fi here, so I’ll probably just stay in and work on photos and updating my blog.

The weather did break, momentarily, about 10AM so I quickly headed out for breakfast.
I had no more pulled in the parking lot of the restaurant, on the bike, when the skies opened and poured for 30 minutes or more. What a mess. About the time I was ready to leave, the rain quit. So I took a drive around the town, even out in the country for a few miles. I stopped at a local computer shop and purchased some DVD's to transfer photos to. I've made over 1500 pictures and want them on some medium other than my laptop. I'll have quite a selection to go through when I get home.

I've viewed and reviewed my route tomorrow. Looks like Lake Placid and John Brown's NY farm home site are on the list, as well as Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream place. I don't think I'll hit Madawaska until late Saturday or maybe even Sunday. It should be cold the next night or two.
My lodging will probably be inside as there are NOT any KOA's where I'm headed, except maybe tomorrow night.

Day #47 Wednesday September 26, 2007

Day #47

Wednesday September 26, 2007

Grand Island, NY to Potsdam, NY

334 miles today (23,798 – 24,132)

9,565 miles total

0 new states today
25 states total

What a lousy night last night was. I slept with both windows and the door of the cabin open. The humidity made it impossible to sleep. Also, the thunder and lightning flashes made it difficult to drift off. About the time I would, then “BOOM!” went the thunder. I could see the other cabins when the lightning would flash. I finally got up about 4AM and checked for internet service. Finally had a signal and a connection. I checked some mail for a while, then laid back down trying to get my back to ease up. I don’t know what I’ve done, but it is on the verge of getting me in serious trouble.

It was still dark when I hit the shower, got dressed, and had all my gear packed up. I read some, waiting for 8:00AM to roll around so I could retrieve my “Blue Ice” I had set in the KOA freezer. I’ll buy ice at night when it’s cooler, and put my Blue Ice in the campground’s ice box in the store for the next day. So far, no one’s refused. I’ve never been refused ice for my water jugs in the convenience stores/truck stops either.

I got out of Grand Island early just after 8AM. I headed north up I-190 and NY 18 where I paralleled Lake Ontario. The road was wide and open, but went through a lot of little towns at first. After my 2nd gas stop, I hit the NY State Parkway and the St. Lawrence Seaway Scenic Highway. It was a beautiful, serene countryside ride. I kept my raingear on all day, but rode on dry highways nearly all day. I had lunch in Oswego, NY before turning north on I-81. I had hoped to make Watertown, NY at least, and sure enough I made that and had lots of time to spare. So I pressed on to Potsdam, a small college town with only 3 motels. 2 were mom & pop owned, and one was a big and fancy, presumably expensive, “inn” right next to the college. I headed back to the beginning of town, after riding all the way through, and pulled in a car dealership to ask directions. They confirmed there were only 3 in this town and I’d have to backtrack if I wanted more choices. I took my chances with the Smallings Motel on the west end of Potsdam, and it proved to be a great choice. It is clean, neat, spacious and THERE’S WIRELESS SERVICE that works! I’ll try to post on the blog some while here.

It never did rain on me today, but I did ride 20 minutes or so on very wet pavement where it must have just rained heavily a few minutes prior. The wind today though, was terrible! It is the wind before the storm that’s chasing me. We’ll see in the AM if everything’s all wet!

Day #46 Tuesday September 25, 2007

Day #46
Tuesday September 25, 2007

Grand Island, NY to Grand Island, NY (again)
69 miles today (23,729 - 23,798)
9,231 miles total

0 new states today (into Ontario, CN again)
25 states total

The temperature is MUCH warmer this AM and it is really humid.
There is a heavy overcast, and some big, puffy clouds.
Not being able to connect to the internet makes checking the forecast difficult.

I finally made the decision about 10AM to move indoors tonight (to a Kabin)
after a neighboring camper shared the forecast of RAIN for tonight and tomorrow. I packed up, moved to the Kabin and headed to the showers. The humidity was so bad I was “sweating bullets!”

I had firmed up the plans to meet with Jake and Cathy, the attorney and his wife,
in a little town in Canada called Niagra on the Lake. It sits on Lake Ontario at the confluence of the Niagra River and Lake Ontario. I got there an hour before time just to give myself plenty of time to cross the border (no problems this time!), find the place, and look around some. The town was small and had some fantastic architecture. The old pharmacy building that operated until the mid 1970’s was the oldest operating pharmacy in Canada. The streets were lined with all kinds of ornate flowers and trees. Everything seemed to be in bloom, even at this time of year. I made several pictures. This was not your usual “tourist trap” as all the goods I saw seemed to high end, not just high priced for the tourists.

We had a good visit at lunch. Keep in mind, I was a stranger to them, and they just took interest in my trip after seeing my “27 days” license plate in Marquette, MI. They have been all over the world, and were preparing to leave for Europe in just a few days. Afterwards, Jake led me out into the countryside near his hometown to observe the 7 locks between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. The security is much more lax in Canada than in the US. While in KY, I went by the locks at KY dam. You cannot even pull off the highway into the old visitor’s center parking lot. The fence keeping you out comes out to the curb of the main road. In Canada, we were able to look through a fence, but right at the edge of the locks. I got a great view of 2 different ships passing through 2 different locks.
The kindness of strangers...amazing! Their actions encouraged me to go out of my way to show some kindness to someone I don’t know. I’ll know that opportunity when it comes, I’m sure.

When I got back to camp, I prepared a fire in the firering and reviewed my routes for the next days travel. I called my wife, and within 2-3 minutes of finishing that call, the rain came. It came down HARD and rained most of the night. I was SO GLAD I was not in my tent. All of it was put away dry and would remain that way. My back is still aching, but it was a great day.

Day #45 Monday September 24, 2007

Day #45

Monday September 24, 2007

Grand Island, NY to Grand Island, NY

35 miles today (23,694 – 23,729)

9,162 miles total

0 new states today (but made Ontario, CN)
25 states total

It got CHILLY last night, and my little ceramic heater was clicking on quite a bit.
On a midnight stroll to the bathroom, the stars in the sky were brilliant. They are more amazing to me each time I look at them. It had been a lot of years prior to this trip since I’d taken the time to look.

My plans today include: putting away the groceries I purchased last night; cleaning out the saddle bags, riding around the Niagra Falls area, and just taking it easy. I have to find internet access somewhere so I can check tomorrow’s weather report, including up into Maine.

I rode out of camp about 10:45 and headed to Niagra Falls. I went to the American side first, which was really a mistake. But not knowing…you don’t know what you don’t know! I viewed a 40 min. IMAX film on the history of the falls. Very interesting. I walked around viewing the falls for about 2 hours, before realizing I could catch the trolley to all the different view points. I made several pictures, all the while curious what the Canadian view was like. After paying $10 to park the bike, $10 to watch the movie, and $10 to get a hot dog and drink…I was about OUT of $10!! (Watch closely for my desire to over ride my reason here shortly) I caught the trolley back to the parking lot and called the attorney I’d met in Marquette, MI at a rest stop. I spoke to his wife and we discussed dinner plans for the 3 of us tomorrow. They’ll drive over to the US which will be a lot easier on me, and we’ll try to be done by dark, so I’m not riding back in the dark.

I next headed out searching for the way to cross the border to view the falls from the Canadian side. While circling a block or two, I came across the helicopter flight over the falls business. A quick right hand turn landed me under their helipad. I was fortunate to catch a flight just getting ready to leave. They have to have 2 paying passengers, and prefer 3 or 4. I was the 3rd and last on this flight, so I go to ride SHOTGUN! Although I was about out of $10, I found the $75 to take the ride!

Oh yeah! What a view. I could see out below the toes of my boots. And yes, I made a LOT of pictures. We lifted off the helipad and banked hard left toward the river. We headed up the river toward the falls. It was incredible. I had already viewed them from the US side, but now I could see the “birds eye view” and all the maps and locations of the falls all became much clearer. The weather here is unusually warm and clear. Tomorrow may break a record for heat (83 or 84 degrees) set in the 1890’s. There have been NO CLOUDS at all, and of course it gets cool at night. The only semblance of a cloud was the constant “mist” that comes up from the cascading water as it tumbles over the falls. So neat! I'd recommend this to anyone!

Tomorrow, I have to check the weather one last time and make my decision to chance sleeping in the tent, or move indoors to a Kabin. The Kabin will insure all my gear stays dry. I’ll pack it away tomorrow and only keep my change of clothes out for Wednesday should I decide to go that direction. Then Wednesday AM, it is off to points EAST! I’ll follow Lake Ontario for many miles, the last of the 5 Great Lakes I have yet to see. Vermont, New Hampshire and eventually Maine and the 2nd of the 4 Corners is coming into view. I just hope and pray I can beat the inclement weather as I turn south towards sunny (???) Key West.

Day #44 Sunday September 23, 2007

Day #44

Sunday September 23, 2007

Washington, PA to Grand Island, NY
275 miles today (23,419 - 23,694)
9,127 miles total

1 new states today: New York
25 states total (More than half way to 48!)

I awoke to a damp, cool morning. There was no rain, just some heavy dew. I was up before dark, just as the sky was beginning to lighten in the east. Here at 7:37 AM sun is fully above the horizon, the dew is evaporating, and the morning is beginning to warm.

Today I am “down in my back” just a little. It has been “bothering” me for about 2 days. Just some tightness and a dull ache deep down in some muscles. I am stretching in the mornings, but maybe not near enough. This morning, while bent over the sink in the bathroom, I had a bad muscle spasm. Oh no!! That is sometimes the first sign of a long and painful bout with my back. I immediately went back to the tent, stretched out some more, even lying down again to get some additional stretching in. This is NOT a good thing. If I get down in my back, I could be STUCK somewhere for several days. I certainly won’t be able to break camp and get on the road. I will take it very easy today and not reach, bend, or lift anything I don’t have to.

I got the tent down, trailer hitched and ready to roll. I did everything VERY slowly and deliberately so as to not jerk or twist my back. I thought as I was sitting on the bike I’d text some friends to start praying. The only numbers for friends in my cell list that I thought someone would see before church were in Eugene, OR, Murray, KY and Rye, CO. So, I asked each of them to get their church praying for me. Just as I got in the saddle and ready to ride the phone rang. One of them was already calling back. It would quit ringing before I could even get my helmet off, so I had to let it ring. I was able to get out on the road and function for a while. I had one gas stop in the morning, before stopping for lunch just outside of Erie, PA. There I took some Advil and planned my continuing journey to Niagra Falls.

On the way up I-76, I noticed some of the leaves already changing color on many of the trees. I saw some yellows, some tans, some purples and reds. Wow! And I’m not even in the northeast corner yet! What will I find in Maine and Vermont? I am excited about seeing a part of this beautiful land I have never seen before.

My back is aching less tonight, and I’ve got pretty good range of motion. I didn’t feel any twinges while setting up camp. I will stay here at least 2 nights, maybe 3. I may move indoors to a Kamping Kabin if the forecast is saying rain Tuesday night and Wednesday. I have made contact with the Canadian attorney and his wife and am looking forward to a meal with them. The heater is coming out for its trial run tonight.