This is the first time in a while I've had internet access and time to get caught up. I've made some quick posts along the way but I'm pasting below some entries and photos from July 31 to the present. I am now at my brother in law's house in Sister Bay Wisconsin located on the Door Peninsula between Green Bay and Lake Michigan. Nephew Andy and I had a good 10 mile bike ride this morning and I made it up all the hills! (Andy refers to them as "inclines"!)
July 31 The month is gone and I am in the 3rd week of my 7 week trip. I’m now in western New York state less than 100 miles from Niagara Falls in Golden Hill Campground which is on the south shore of Lake Ontario. Large freighters can be seen in the distance, probably having recently exited the Welland Canal which has locks over the Niagara escarpment. Les and I did that canal with our sailboat in 1992. A beautiful sunset which I could see from my fantastic campsite overlooking the lake. Today I drove from Ithaca NY past towns named Ulysses, Ovid, Lodi, etc and made a stop in Seneca Falls where a National Park Ranger spoke in the Weslyan Chapel used as the meeting place for the first Women’s Rights Convention in 1848. The adjoining visitors center has excellent displays of the women’s movement for equality before and after that time but requires a lot of patience as much has to be read. I found it a bit difficult to follow and some of the interactive exhibits didn’t seem to function. I was a bit disappointed in the film; normally these are excellent in National Park facilities. Never the less I think it is an important history to remember and realize that we are not there yet.
The Finger Lakes area, of which Ithaca and Seneca Falls are in, is a very picturesque with many farms among the lakes where a variety of fruits and vegetables are grown as well as dairy cattle. Sarah took me to their wonderful farmers market as part of our long day tour of the area which included a winery. It was wonderful to spend time with this busy lady, a PhD, a woman who works with agriculture issues around the world and now the mother of an adorable baby boy.
My time in Pennsylvania with boating friends Elizabeth and Don was very relaxing which was just what I needed. I caught up on some phone calls, bill paying, laundry, and emails. We had rousing games of dominoes both nights and a good dinner overlooking a very foggy Susquehanna River which I would later follow as I made my way north to Ithaca. I managed to interest Elizabeth in the dulcimer as well.
August 2, 2011 Yesterday, August 1 was my Erie Canal Day. It might be said it was a “bucket list” item. I envied Les going through it in the early 80’s on his Chris Craft motorsailer and tried to figure out how I could experience some of it. I had researched a NY State week long bike ride along the canal but knew I couldn’t do the 50 miles a day. Further research showed a boat ride through the last 2 locks on the west end of the canal which departed from Lockport, NY. The area also had a bike path that looked doable. I rode 11 miles on the path but it still gave me a sense of the old tow path. I then took the almost 2 hour boat trip. Most of the time was involved in locking. Many other passengers seemed bored or knew little about locks. I enjoyed it all.
Back at the campground, I decided to throw away my tablecloth which had taken a beating in a storm the night before. It was the strongest storm I’ve “ridden out” in Big Mama. She was shaking side to side. Fortunately, I had a radar program on my phone, suggested by my friend Elizabeth, so I was able to track the progress and size of the storm. It did provide some stress for a couple of hours and the resulting exhaustion didn’t help my stamina for the bike ride. I turned in shortly after 8:45 sunset. I awoke to the sun rising. My campsite at this park has an unbelievable unobstructed view of both sunrise and sunset reflecting in the Lake Ontario waters. I was sorry to leave this one.
Today August 2 I had an early start to try to beat the crowd at Niagara Falls. Surprisingly, tour groups were already boarding buses at 9 a.m. Among the visitors, many different countries were represented. I was told I had to park on Goat Island. This turned out to be a real bonus. The young man at the information stand, whose job I’m sure is to sell tickets to the many attractions, showed me how I could get a good view of the falls and surrounding waters by walking around the island. It was a perfect day with a rainbow, mist falling around me and the rush of the water heard everywhere and well worth the $10 parking fee. I decided next to head for Stratford Canada to try to see some Shakespeare. Unfortunately I never could find a place to park in Stratford to inquire about either camping facilities or tickets. I have never seen so many parked cars everywhere. The town’s population is only 32,000 according to the sign but it must be many more during the festival. I finally gave up and headed west to Lake Huron where I had a bit of difficulty finding a site available. I’m in one called Carolina Beach which is mostly permanent units. It’s the most expensive yet and not a lot in the way of amenities, at least for me.
August3 -4 I crossed back into the US at Sarnia, Ontario/Port Huron Michigan border. It took about 30 minutes to clear customs and I had no destination. At the first rest area on Interstate 69, I called the Michigan Park System reservation number and to my surprise my first choice, Charles Mears State Park in Pentwater had a site for the next two nights. It is right on the beach amidst the sand dunes on Lake Michigan in a delightful port town which we had visited by boat the last time in 1991. I was able to bike into town, run some errands, enjoy a farmers market, and visit with locals at sunset.
August 5 I was up at 6 eastern time and on the road by 7 going to Luddington Michigan to catch the ferry that crosses to Manitowac Wisconsin. Told to be there by 8, I was in line by 7:30 which turned out to be a good move as I was loaded early and off loaded in the first vehicles. This is the first ferry I've experienced in which they drive the car on and off the ferry, my biggest dread of the ferry trip! This ferry has been around since the 50's and in constant jeopardy of being discontinued. Many aboard were viewing their crossing as a historic occasion that might not be possible in a couple of years. It was a beautiful calm day, perfect for a crossing, but not so good for the sailboats which would need more wind.
Leaving Ludington Michigan aboard SS Badger
Sunset over Lake Ontario
Erie Canal approaching locks
In Erie Can Lock going up 25 feet
Sand dune between beach and campground
Sandy's sandy camp site Pentwater MI
SS Badger Ferry crosses lake Michigan
Four hours later I was on my way north through Wisconsin, picking up a bag of "cheese curds" to nibble on the way.
