Erie Canal Days 5 and 6

Day 5 June 3

We got up early and headed farther north. We were disappointed that there were few bikers (especially since there was the Blessing of the Bikes at 9:00 am).

For those of you from Peterborough, this trip continued a theme. When we were waiting for the tow truck in Canastota, our GPS said we were on Peterboro St. We rode our bikes along a canal and stopped at a lock. Today, we drove along Highway 28 and are staying not far from Keene. Ha!

It was a nice, windy drive through the forests on the sunny morning. The landscape and buildings were typically Adirondack. We stopped for coffee and baked goodies in Tupper Lake a got to Lake Placid around noon. There were few people around (still so early in the season) and finding parking for the MoHo was difficult. As was finding a campground (PLENTY of hotels). We decided to park at the free Park and Ride (trolley) area and then decided, since it was raining, we'd take another train ride.

So, we found the Whispering Pines campground ($30 for electric and water), had lunch and headed back to the train.

We sat in the open car again and enjoyed the beautiful landscape and commentary from the old, volunteer conductor. We saw beaver dams, a flagman, a prison (converted from Olympic Village), an amazing cemetery and an eagle's nest:

We saw the carousel in Saranac Lake:

and had an ice cream.

Back to the campground, dinner, and no plans for tomorrow yet!

Here's today's view from my chair:

Day 6 June 4

Rained all night and was raining this morning, so we decided to head home. We had an uneventful drive home along the St. Lawrence.

The highlight was running in to George Raab at the Duty Free shop (in keeping with our "Peterborough" theme). For those who don't know, George is a wonderful artist (we own FIVE).


Here's an animated map of our Erie Canal trip.


See you next trip, everyone.

Erie Canal Day 4

Day 4-June 2

It rained most of last night, but things improved by morning. We decided to head to the Adironacks (and will save a visit with Nancy and Allen for the next trip here).

We decided to head to Old Forge on the advice of neighbours and the mention in the books of "Thunder in the Forge", a motorcycle rally this weekend.

It was a nice drive in the Adirondacks, climbing higher and full of forests. We got to the Visitors Centre in Old Forge and were kind of disappointed by the few bikers we saw. So, we decided on the Adirondack Scenic Rail Road trip from Thendara to Otter Lake (next to hiking and biking, trains are a favourite thing to do).

Well, almost a private tour: just us and another couple (and two conductors and an engineer). It was a lovely ride with great commentary from one Conductor (a volunteer who's really a vet). We rode in the CNR baggage car (evidenced by the bilingual safety signs!). The line we were on was built in 1892 and was once called The Banana Train since it transported bananas (and other) freight from Gulfport, Mississippi to Montreal, PQ. This portion of the line was also used to transport the rich folk to their camps (in private cars added to the train). We followed the Moose River but no moose; there WERE some exotic deer in the "Deer and Boar" hunting business along the route:

We then headed to Nicks Lake State Campground ($29.75-no electricity or water!), a busy place despite the cool, damp weather. We hiked a couple of miles before dinner and settled in for a chilly night:

Here's the view from my chair (and the view of David with his hiking stick!):

Erie Canal Day 3

Day 3 June 1

June already. The promised rain didn't seem to come, so we decided to head to Rome (where many roads DO lead) and see the newer Canal.

We wanted to see the Erie Canal Village, a recreation of an 1840's local village and see about a ride on the steam train. We were too early, so we checked out Rome. There's a Wal Mart (and Lowes for WiFi) and a nice old downtown. We got info (but not a lot on the Canal Trail; we're wondering why they're not "selling" this gem, but maybe we're just not looking in the right places) and headed out of town.

We stopped in Oriskay near Lock 20 and decided to ride for a while. This is the newer canal and we saw a barge (rusty) and some dredges. AND we officially rode "15 miles on the Erie Canal" right about about here:

Actually we rode 18 1/2 miles, but who's counting.

Did shopping in Oneida then the rains started, so back to The Landing, dinner and movies. We'll head to The Andirondacks tomorrow.

Here's a wet view from my chair:

Erie Canal Day 2

Day 2-May 31

End of May and another gorgeous day (though those geese woke us up early, feeding en masse all around us (the sites next to us are empty).

We decided to head to Canastota, via Sylvan Beach, where we knew we could pick up the Erie Canalway Trail.

Sylvan Beach is a real waterfront summer spot full of small cottages, cute restaurants and shops, and an Amusement Park. I can imagine how busy this town would be in the height of the summer. No one there today.

We stopped at the Saveon in Canastota for some info on where to access the trail. When we headed out of the parking lot, the Moho clunked and thumped and it felt very wrong, like a flat or something worse. David checked the tire pressure (fine), gave a look underneath and decided we better call Coach Net (RV insurer). He suspected a drive train problem.

We were told the Ford dealer in Oneida would take a look tomorrow, a tow was ordered, and an offer to sleep at the Ford dealer was made. The tow truck driver arrived, and while he looked below for how he would hook us up, he said “Here's your problem” (very sweet words!) and held up a softball-sized hard mass of tar that we'd picked up and was attached to the inside rear tire. Papers signed, advice given for riding the canal, and bullet dodged. To fellow Rvers, buy the insurance!

We found a place to park and headed out on the trail. It was a nice ride along the old canal, crushed gravel and flat. But, after a mile, I discovered a flat rear tire (my THIRD flat, second on this new bike). So we found the puncture, David patched it and we headed out.

Yes, there was a “low bridge, everybody down”:

Okay, so that was two bad things. A third had to be waiting. But it didn't really happen unless you can count the geese who hissed at us on the trail, or David dropping (but finding) his sunglasses (just avoiding the poison ivy that was everywhere), or the drawer almost falling out (I didn't close it tight), or the chocolate ice cream David dripped on his shirt (another Rver saviour is Dawn dish detergent which takes out any stain). I'm counting any one of those as number 3.

We rode 10.5 miles and the rest of the day remained sunny and problem-free, and we're contemplating a trip to Rome tomorrow for some history, maybe more riding or a trip on a steam train. Phew!

Here's another view from my chair:

Erie Canal Day 1

May 30

Though the weather in Ontario has been great, it's time for a spring trip before the rest of the world is on vacation!

David recommended the biking trails on the old Erie Canal, and after research (and a weather delay on Tuesday), we headed out.

We had an uneventful (thankfully) trip down with a bit of an Amish theme, including a family working the fields with horse and cart and a horse and buggy at Wal Mart:

The drive down Highway 81 took us past some beautiful small towns, especially Williamstown and Camden, both with large cemeteries bedecked with American flags post Memorial Day.

We found The Landing Campground via Passport America ($17.50 Electric,  Water and Sewer) and booked two nights. We're on a tiny penninsula on Fish Creek that leads in to Lake Oneida. It's quiet (mostly seasonal people) and filled with Canada Goose families, a Mallard family, Purple Martins, Bank Swallows and a very talented Kingbird:

We chatted with the neighbours and had an early night.

Here's the view from my chair: