Today was the shortest ride of the tour. It was so short we delayed breakfast a full hour, not leaving Lake Placid until after 8. Such luxury. We headed out with our new tandem buddies, Roland and Judy from Connecticut. They had to scratch their own self-guided tour this week and opted to join our intrepid band instead. We were glad for the company.
Our paces were enough similar that we rode all morning to picnic together. We swapped stories about the road and tandems. They’ve been riding double since 1994. Our paces and styles matched well. Actually that was easy to do because it was almost all downhill today as we dropped out of the Adirondacks. It was our second day of no corn fields. Such a change from the past 5 weeks.
We were at picnic by a 10:30. It was at Ausable Chasms. I’d call it a park, but it is privately owned. You pay your fee and you get to see the wonders. We snacked, then bought a hiking pass. The chasm was created by the Ausable River. It’s a very narrow gorge with spectacular rock formations. This one is called Elephant Head. We visited with people along the trail who were full of positive comments on our journey. The trail dropped almost down to the river at points. In fact, if you wanted to pay an additional $10, you could buy a float trip down about a mile of the river. No white water, to speak of, but another way to experience the power of water. We hiked to a trailhead and caught a shuttle back to the top.
From there it was a short ride to the ferry, then a one-hour crossing of Lake Champlain. It was a gorgeous day to ride the boat, smooth and sunny. I shared Revolutionary War stories with my British colleagues, the Smyth-Osbornes. Then it was a quick ride to the University of Vermont campus where we are now setting up shop in the dorms.
Tomorrow promises to be another short day, 46 miles, taking us to Stowe. There will be significantly more UP, but still an easy day as we head into our last week of the tour. The end is indeed near.
Wow, the final week, and what a magnificent journey it has been!
Such an education to follow the 2 of you over hill and dale. Waiting to hear about Stowe, I’m going there on Thursday.
xo
Rita
on Aug 13, 2012 at 1:45 pm
Well, you are near the end of your adventure, so cool! I am trying to catch up with your blog posts, one week at a time over breakfast. The ride here has been intense. Ask me about it sometime!
You two are amazing!
Russ
on Aug 13, 2012 at 1:49 pm
What beautiful country. I wonder what the back-story is to that wonderful riverland being private. Starting tomorrow, we’re “off the grid” until we arrive in Ketchican when I’ll fire up the Ipad at some local internet cafe.
Keep on truckin’ through New England. Be safe!
Daria
on Aug 13, 2012 at 2:18 pm
Hello again…..glad you have found yourself another tandem to partner up with. My 4th son attended the University of Vermont for 1 year and then transferred to Johnson State College which is not very far from there. He majored in Environmental Engineering…..we often called him and still call him a tree hugger. It is so beautiful in Vermont and Stowe has some of the best skiing. However, I did not like driving up and down the hills, when you would have to blow your horn to let others know that there was a car coming around the corner. Did you take the Lake Champlain ferry or one of them…..there is a a smaller one and then a much bigger one. We usually crossed over via the Ticonderoga ferry which as I was telling Ric….off season and past the normal “rush hour” we had to call the caretaker to come to the other side. At the time only about 3 cars could fit on the ferry….but that was 20 years ago.
I am so glad that you are enjoying your trip. I know that you hate to see it end but as we got home after only 48 hours away….I said as I always do, there is no place like home. Safe travels to you and looking forward to your next blog.
Marla
on Aug 13, 2012 at 4:23 pm
Okay now I’m wanting to be there…I love New England!
Dang Spencer, I didn’t know you were old enough to have been in the Revolutionary War!! Huh….
What an adventure! Your posts have really made me feel like I was right along with you.
Bob Browne
on Aug 14, 2012 at 4:22 pm
Hi Sheila and Spencer – It was great to meet you both and ride with you especially day one in NY. I look forward to reading the about the last week of your trip. Be safe and enjoy the journey!
I can’t help but think how much I admire your spirit of adventure and dedication. This really looks like such an awesome trip… and I personally love a physical challenge like this. I think it is such an incredible relationship building experience to share something like this. My boyfriend and I are looking at the pictures and thinking how much fun this looks like. He bikes daily in Costa Rica. We both enjoyed the pics you posted so much… thanks for sharing such an incredible experience with us. Kudos to you… You go Sheila!
Hugs…
Chyrl
Coast-to-Coast Slideshow (click to see large)
First crossing of the Divide.
Why was this rest stop at the top of a dead-end climb?
The culmination of a 25 mile climb.
Fire causes a red sunset in Wyoming.
Laundry day came once a week.
Riding gravel in the Black Hills
The Badlands look very desolate.
This is where I expect Captain Kirk fought the Zorn.
Tomorrow promises to be another short day, 46 miles, taking us to Stowe. There will be significantly more UP, but still an easy day as we head into our last week of the tour. The end is indeed near.
Wow, the final week, and what a magnificent journey it has been!
Such an education to follow the 2 of you over hill and dale. Waiting to hear about Stowe, I’m going there on Thursday.
xo
Well, you are near the end of your adventure, so cool! I am trying to catch up with your blog posts, one week at a time over breakfast. The ride here has been intense. Ask me about it sometime!
You two are amazing!
What beautiful country. I wonder what the back-story is to that wonderful riverland being private. Starting tomorrow, we’re “off the grid” until we arrive in Ketchican when I’ll fire up the Ipad at some local internet cafe.
Keep on truckin’ through New England. Be safe!
Hello again…..glad you have found yourself another tandem to partner up with. My 4th son attended the University of Vermont for 1 year and then transferred to Johnson State College which is not very far from there. He majored in Environmental Engineering…..we often called him and still call him a tree hugger. It is so beautiful in Vermont and Stowe has some of the best skiing. However, I did not like driving up and down the hills, when you would have to blow your horn to let others know that there was a car coming around the corner. Did you take the Lake Champlain ferry or one of them…..there is a a smaller one and then a much bigger one. We usually crossed over via the Ticonderoga ferry which as I was telling Ric….off season and past the normal “rush hour” we had to call the caretaker to come to the other side. At the time only about 3 cars could fit on the ferry….but that was 20 years ago.
I am so glad that you are enjoying your trip. I know that you hate to see it end but as we got home after only 48 hours away….I said as I always do, there is no place like home. Safe travels to you and looking forward to your next blog.
Okay now I’m wanting to be there…I love New England!
Dang Spencer, I didn’t know you were old enough to have been in the Revolutionary War!! Huh….
What an adventure! Your posts have really made me feel like I was right along with you.
Hi Sheila and Spencer – It was great to meet you both and ride with you especially day one in NY. I look forward to reading the about the last week of your trip. Be safe and enjoy the journey!
Cheers,
Bob (from PA)
I can’t help but think how much I admire your spirit of adventure and dedication. This really looks like such an awesome trip… and I personally love a physical challenge like this. I think it is such an incredible relationship building experience to share something like this. My boyfriend and I are looking at the pictures and thinking how much fun this looks like. He bikes daily in Costa Rica. We both enjoyed the pics you posted so much… thanks for sharing such an incredible experience with us. Kudos to you… You go Sheila!
Hugs…
Chyrl