Drying gear out in my motel in Olean, NY.
Jim's home | Motorcycle home | 10k Home
Well, sustained rain finally happened today. I left my campground in upstate NY on the shores of Lake Ontario with solidly overcast skies and 15-20 mph north winds. The eastern sky was crimson at about 5:00 AM. Red at night sailor's delight, red in the morning sailors take warning. It was 46 degrees when I rode out. Dry though, but that ended within the first hour. I put my rainsuit on at the first drops since it looked like it was only going to get worse. It did, and for the whole day. The temperature finally got to 51 degrees after most of the day. Now, I am ensconced in my nice motel room in Olean, NY. Many things are drying on makeshift racks around the heater. I think they'll be fine in the morning, but I got too cold near the end of the day. Slow thinking/reacting, worried about making it to safety. Really glad this town had modern amenities. In these rural towns, sometimes you see a motel (maybe questionable), and sometimes a restaurant, but rarely together and both seeming worthwhile. Had a superb dinner at Angee's restaurant in Olean. Go there if you're in the area and looking for a meal.
Drying gear out in my motel in Olean, NY.
My chicken pasta dish at Angee's restaurant in Olean.
I got myself into this pickle because I'd heard Route 6 running east/west across Pennsylvania was beautiful. Even though it rained today, I could appreciate the amazing beauty of upstate NY and NW PA. Unfortunately Rte 6 is light on towns with amenities, so I had to bale half way across and head north towards the interstate. No matter, I'm warm and dry now, sipping nice scotch my Dad sent me off with.
I left my Dad's place in Rangeley yesterday morning and crossed NH and VT before ending up in NY state. So 4 states in 1 day. Harder to do that out west. I crossed Lake Champlain north of Burlington on a bridge leading to the charming town of Champlain, NY. Thought I might take a ferry, but my way there led me straight to the bridge. I've only taken pics of 2 nice old houses. They're endless as are the beautiful brick buildings in towns with their corbeled parapets. Lots of Italiente houses, which I love. Have seen 3 Amish horse drawn carraiges and one Amish farmer ploughing his field with big, wide, plough drawn by 4 horses!
View of Lake Champlain from Rte 11 on the the west shore heading south.
Amish horse drawn carraige.
I liked my campground last night. It was Long Point State Park on the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend. There were still plenty of sites available. No one at the booth as you entered the campground, and no reservation forms clipped to each site's wood post. I assume everyone camped for free as I did. They even had hot showers, which I used this morning. What a luxury. I was near the campground's playground, but enjoyed hearing kids play. People were playing music, walking around with kids in packs. It was nice, and quieted down completely as darkness fell.
My campsite at Long Point State Park, NY
Evening at Long Point.
So I did ride along the St. Lawrence Seaway to the Thousand Islands area as I'd planned. The road was mostly inland, but did afford numerous nice views where you see over to Canada. I found a nice waterfroont restuarant/bar in Alexandria Bay, which I guess was on Lake Ontario, not the Seaway. Had a couple nice IPAs there and some calamari. I like smaller tourist towns, but not big ones. Have been trying to ride only on 2 lane roads. When I get on an interstate, I wonder why I'm riding. Those big, 4 lane divided highways are only for getting to/from places as fast as you can. I'm not that. Slowing down through a small town is just fine with me.
Brew pub in Alexandria Bay, the gateway to The Thousand Islands.
Yours truly enjoying a refreshing IPA.
I just saw that they updgraded the forecast for tomorrow, here to have a zero percent chance of rain. Wow. Earlier the forecast was for rain all day tomorrow and into the next. Had wondered what my strategy would be in that case. I learned a lesson not to ride in prolonged rain under 50 degrees. So, yay!