Miles 3393 to 3462, 69 miles, 2150 feet of climb, max speed 33 mph, avg speed 13 mph, wind not a factor, twice rained on, obtained a head cold from yesterday’s soaking.
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| Kate Watkins and Me |
I had chills and sweats all morning and was hoping to lay low today. I even went west this morning to take a picture of the lake with the intent of putting me ten minutes behind all the others. The solitary life I planned lasted almost thirty minutes, and the Good Lord knew I needed people today. He sure did provide another boatload of them! Here is the gem of the day: Kate Watkins, a fellow employee from Huntsville, AL who happened to be in town tonight and came by for Route-Rap and drinks before dinner. Before all the rumors start, let me explain that I really did pick a five pound zucchini for her from Mary Thompson's garden. (Mary is the happiest farmer in New York.) None of the other stories are mostly untrue kind of almost. Kate really enjoyed twisting me in a knot tonight at the dinner table. What good fun was had by all, and one of the guys took more than a passing interest in her. She is by far the gem of the day! Wow. She is such a sweetheart.
By some fluke I ended up in front of most of the riders today after the SAG stop. When I approached Throopsville, NY on the old Middle Turnpike (the road that predates the state) I was exhausted and tired of down the hill, up the hill, repeat, repeat, repeat. My muscles hurt and the bumps on the road made my headache stay in full force. On top of the hill in the center of town was Kevin sitting on his porch with his beer, cigarettes, a police scanner radio, and an empty chair. I told him I was dog-tired and asked if I could ‘sit a spell’ with him, and he cautiously agreed. An hour later we were still both there having a great time, and many of the riders also stopped in and chatted. Kevin, a retired steel worker (disabled?) had only left the county once that he could recall to see a Yankee’s game, and vowed never to do that again. Steven, our new rider came by also, and a real New York City dweller, and provided great conversation. The somewhat bitter Kevin (when I arrived) was a bubbly Kevin when we left. He couldn’t believe how friendly all the riders were with him and how all his local buddies that drove by his place noticed his yard was hopping with visitors. The Jelly Bellies (our Dutch riders) got a kick out of it too. They were always so far ahead of the pack that they never witnessed Dave in his infamous ‘STOP and CHAT’ style of riding across the country. They showed me the pictures they took of me in the rocking chair next to Kevin at dinner tonight, saying “It’s true, it’s true”. This episode reminded me of our Nevada friend named Clay.
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| Heading west across the USA |
Grandpa Jerry told his grandson Nathan that if I couldn’t find a job this summer, he had a job for him… as a mule. Jerry has ridden across the US three times self-contained (meaning he toted everything he needed on his bike from tents to food) but was getting too old for it now. He hired his grandson to come along and Nathan does all the toting on his bike while Jerry rides his recumbent. They were doing the Northern Tier with the goal to be in Portland, Oregon to fly Nathan back in time for school. They chose to do the Erie Canal tow path to cross NY rather than the shorter and more difficult route through the Adirondacks. They have already made good progress and ahead of schedule.
Bottom Line: It is not good for man to live alone. Even if he tries, God won’t let him. I’m living proof.
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