String of Friends

Static map: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/416783892?privacy_code=XhkOvJEGIMzcklEDuk7hiG5BsTLH3xqY Animated map: https://www.relive.com/view/vMv8zgmDkN6 I woke up at 6:00, before Kisho, in our fancy, old inn. I wrote the last blog entry then went out for a look at the town. Despite a heavily used main road and narrow sidewalks, it has a lot of toney shops and restaurants including a Japanese restaurant I'd like to come back to. I got back at 7:00. I wasn't expecting him to be up, but there he was all dressed and ready for breakfast. The inn had a self serve breakfast, but no Fruit Loops, powdered eggs, or u-bake waffles here. They had local yogurt with homemade granola and fresh scones. Yum! No roughing it this morning.  (Breakfast) We were ready to ride at 8:15. Kisho would ride to Poughkeepsie and assess his situation. He could take an MTA train straight into New York or continue with me. I worked out a plan to do the ride in three days instead of two. ...

Static map: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/416576245?privacy_code=FYjC1mVW9ebxMUxmWvfR8doDd2mxDese Animated map: https://www.relive.com/view/vwq1KrMoYBO It's nice to begin the day in a familiar place. I woke up shortly after Sarah. Heading the sound of someone getting ready for work reminded me that I'll be back at work soon. I've been proud to explain what I do when it comes up and will be happy to return.  Sarah was kind enough to make waffles and bacon. We chatted over breakfast and coffee. Soon she was out the door to her preschoolers. I petted her dog Bello when he wasn't going outside to chase away deer from Sarah's rural home. When Kisho woke her got two waffles for a young, growing young man. While he packed, I cleaned up. We said goodbye to Sharon, Sarah’s mom who lives downstairs. We were out the door shortly after 8:00.  (Bello half on and half off the couch, waiting for me to get out of HIS spot) The skies were gray and the weather...

Static map: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/416306547?privacy_code=nTfL13LFNhh5j6SJawrT3QWKhmcr0tvy Animated map: https://www.relive.com/view/vdvm7Xk9kN6 Today combined mellow and extreme. The ride today was only 30 miles, but the chance of rain was 90%. Kisho is retiring to New York City with me. It was going to be comforting to have anyone to distract from The Wet. Also helping was a lighter load. I had less gear because we'll be staying indoors each of the three nights. This night we'd be staying with Jesse's former wife, Sarah, who kindly offered to put us up. We had a slow morning of pastries at the new(-ish) bakery right in Kisho and Abby’s building. I would have a hard time if I had a basket literally downstairs. I had a ham and cheese croissant and an apple pie Danish because my metabolism can now do that. After baked goods we hung out with Zoey while Abby started her work week. The rain held off in the morning so we decided to wait until it began at 11:00...

Static map: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/415804309?privacy_code=F76s1Z5Gp9IeCxDNxrQb34AVYkYHNFhM Animated map: https://www.relive.com/view/vDqgAK8prGO After a night of sound quiet sleep punctuated by careful trips down the ladder for bio breaks, I finally woke to gray skies. It wasn't a day to hurry. I didn't hurry. I lingered in bed. The Nor’easter pounding the coast wasn't hitting the Albany area hard. I might get a few sprinkles, but that was it. I only had 30 miles to do. I could time the ride to avoid the worst rain.  (The view before rising) I made breakfast on the little porch, had some coffee, and wrote a blog entry. I didn't hit the road until 9:30. A lazy morning for me on the road. I passed the Welcome TJ sign Dan had set out the day before, but missed the house Kurt Vonnegut had lived in that was on the same street. I looked but didn't see the red house that was described to me. I also missed, via ignorance, the Vonnegut house in...

Static map: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/415613101?privacy_code=RbVBl7isot0eBMKqAzvzLrNHaK8LtzpM Animated map: https://www.relive.com/view/vYvEd3VYPwq Pretty, but loud with a dash of gastric upset. That was my stay at Ilion Marina. I was happy the bathroom was heated because I made a lot of trips during the night. Despite all that I slept well. If you're tired enough nothing will stop you.  When I woke up to cool patchy fog I faced a shorter day of 60+ miles to Lock 9. I learned from Charlie and Audrey that if you set up your tent under a tree you won't have a dewy tent. I set up under a maple and my tent was dry so it has to be true.  (Pretty and loud. There's traffic in the trees) The first order of business was heading the three miles to Herkimer to get breakfast and even more importantly, seeing the bridge that serves as the Herkimer Coffee logo. The coffee shop in Herkimer was t bougie. It was the only breakfast place in a working class town. C...