Omaha to NYC Day 36: Short ride to Albany




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 Iowa City. 

(Breakfast on the porch)

It was a quick couple of road miles back to the trail. The trail here becomes leafy and suburban. Many runners and walkers were out even on this gray morning. I passed a GE building. Schenectady is a bit of a company town. I passed a lab started by Admiral Rickover to study nuclear propulsion. I took a picture and am probably now on a watch list. 

(Secret government lab)

The trail descended from the bluff to the banks of the Mohawk. I passed a mysterious stone marker with “S 9” engraved on it. I asked my friend Mike who's the expert on things historical. He thinks it's a mile marker, meaning nine miles to Schenectady. The real mile marker told me it was 19 miles to Albany! 

(So close!)

Just a few miles beyond, I happened upon a labyrinth. Walking a labyrinth was the perfect cap to my last solo ride of the trip. I parked the bike and slowly walked in, then out. The route promoted patience by bringing you close to the center then moving you away. With rain approaching, I was tempted to walk straight out, but for once I slowed down and did the proper thing and walked the route back out. Kisho rode this way last summer and saw the labyrinth under construction.

(The labyrinth)

Done, it was back to more forested trails and sleepy Saturday morning roads. I loaded a gnome home then was suddenly on the Hudson! The Empire State Trail split north and south. I snapped a photo, sent it to Abby and Kisho then moved on. The area became a mix of older housing and commercial areas. I passed Troy and really felt I was getting close. The trail passed along the freeway then got woody close to Albany. I caught a glimpse of the Corning Building then suddenly I was at Kisho and Abby’s. I'd made it to family. I felt almost like the trip was over. I was able to let my hair down (although it's sticking up in the photo). I'm not detailing of the bike time, but a wonderful time was had by all.

(I made it to my peeps!)




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Finishing the Journey

Image
The day of departure approacheth. I'm riding the green line. I've already done the orange.  I am finding it harder and harder to concentrate. Unlike all my previous trips I have no anxiety. Just excitement. All my jitters are excited anticipation. Maybe that'll hit later. I dunno.  The trip starts just east of the magical 98th meridian (yellow line above). Roughly 80% of the US population lives east of this line. Interestingly, the ecological divide between the West and East was at the 100th meridian based on annual precipitation, but thanks to climate change it's been moving east and is now also the 98th meridian. Will that mean people will find life increasingly hard in the new west? I dunno. What is clear is that I'll be headed into more densely populated areas. And flatter areas. Some friends wonder what's the point. If you can have the Rockies, why bike the Loess Hills? Well, why not? I love the West, but I love the small towns, rivers, and lush landscapes ...
Read more

Omaha to NYC Day 17

Image
Static map: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/411321695?privacy_code=yiKqVvrfi7tHxLpJFCWI7Y08Uoe5r5x1 Animated map:  https://www.relive.com/view/vmqXGXAxgo6 Finally, a campsite with water I could jump in! The Indiana Dunes. When I got there after a long and varied day of riding I just wanted to run down to the water’s edge and plunge in, but I restrained myself and got changed into my swimming suit first.  (Sunrise as I say goodbye to Chicago) The day began with an early start at 6:00, first light. Today was the day I was saying goodbye to Chicago after a four day stay. I was leaving early because I had a pleasant surprise. Due to a fortuitous Facebook post, another old friend from Knox learned I was it town. She had been living in New York City, but has recently moved back to her hometown of Chicago. We arranged to meet at a bakery in The Loop. I wanted to be there by 8:30 so we would have plenty of time to chat. It’s 22 miles from Asif’s house to The Godd...
Read more

Omaha to NYC Day 18

Image
Static map: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/411583619?privacy_code=5ioPlXtTUxn0FkPB7HBMnNKhVtL0gtz4 Animated map:  https://www.relive.com/view/vYvEd5WkzGq The day started leisurely. A bug free morning made for a slow oatmeal and instant coffee breakfast. I used PlantNet to ID two flowers at the campsite. Both invasive. Despite being in a national park, I was not in a pristine environment. After a look at the empty beach, I heading out quickly passing through Michigan City which is interestingly in Indiana. I noted the Amish pie stand on the way into town and wondered if Amish is a style or an origin. (Amish pie stand) After Michigan City, the route follows a sleepy road packed with expensive second homes for rich Chicagoians. Every open lot was being developed. I passed many people out for morning walks. At Michiania I crossed from Indiana into Michigan and the Eastern Time Zone, which I didn’t anticipate. I’d be an hour later arriving at camp than I’d thought...
Read more