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: