Omaha to NYC Day 41




After a night in the garret listening to the Metro North horns, but sleeping well, I finally woke up at 6:30. Dressing as quietly as I could, I walked out to The Corner Bakery across the tracks from The Station Inn. (Very functional names in Pawling). I had a few minutes to wait before it opened at 7:00 so I sat on a bench facing their war memorial. The largest number of people killed from the town was during the Civil War. 

(Morning coffee and baked goods)

The bakery was very down to earth. I got a rectangular cinnamon raisin scone and a cup of coffee. I texted Kisho my location then sat in the window and Wordled. It wasn't long before he ambled over. We had a nice chat over coffee. We had 40 miles to cover so we weren't in a rush. Still, coffee and baked goods consumed, we didn't feel the need to hang out. We got our start just before 9:00.

We had a pleasant road with low rollers to get back to the trail. A few vehicles passed but they weren't bothersome. At Patterson I what seemed like a shortcut up a short steep hill to get back on the trail, but alas climbing the hill I saw that the road passed over the trail. The hill was for nought. 

(Rollers in the morning)

We did f,ind the trail, eventually. It was smooth as glass and a joy to ride. We soon entered The Great Swamp, one of the largest wetlands in New York. I notice that the small trees in open areas are turning before the bigger ones and that was true in the Great Swamp. 

(The Great Swamp)

After we passed the wetland, we came to Brewster where a friendly man told us the unmarked turn we just passed was, in fact, the Empire State Trail. If we continued straight we'd be in Connecticut soon. Once back on track, I ran into an old friend, US Highway 6. I'd traveled it way back in Iowa. Somehow we were going on 6 West(?). 

(Back on 6)

From Brewster, it was beautiful tree tunnels to Mahopac where we had lunch at a Salvadoran restaurant. I thought this section of New York was all fancy, but Mahopac seemed like regular folks. We were already more than halfway through the day's miles. 

(More lakes today)

The early fall color trees continued. We got a long fast downhill section. In Yorktown we found the appropriately named Trailside Cafe where the woman working really, really wanted to sell us empanadas. When we walked in, the first thing she said was, “empanadas?”, “We already had lunch.” “empanadas?”. Maybe she didn't understand me, but I think she just really wanted us to eat her empanadas. Later a guy came by and got one and they did look really good. 

(They make empanadas)

We returned to the wooded trail, but before long we had to turn onto the wooded road to Mt. Kisco. The road seemed remote and I wondered when we'd get to suburban Mt Kisco, but at the last minute a valley opened up and there we were in front of the MKT Hilton. We checked in, then rolled our bikes down the strangely long and low ceilinged corridor to run 258. 

(Kisho stopping to wait for me)

We lounged until dinner. I made arrangements to return to Albany (8:15 train) and connected with Jesse and Lize about meeting up in Brooklyn. Kisho arranged to meet a friend. It is going to be over. Hard to believe. 

Pondering the end, we walked into Mt Kisco’s little downtown for dinner. Along the way we passed a signless building with spooky art that seemed out of place in the light industrial area it was in. Turns out it is the home of the William Louis-Dreyfus Foundation and, yes, William is the father of Julia of Seinfeld and Veep fame. The art is frankly kinda disturbing. I hope that was the intent. 

(Found next to the propane dealer)

We are back at the hotel now. It didn't seem real the bike trip will end tomorrow. Time to go to sleep and dream about it. 




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