After a leisurely Saturday breakfast, we finally left Burlington around 11:30 after coming to terms that the rain wasn't going to let up. The temps were in the upper 30's most of the day and the rain alternated from light showers to heavy downpours.
Our original plan was to go to Charlotte (thanks for the tip Matt) and take the ferry over NY to cruise around the Adirondacks. However, when we got to Charlotte we were told that no motorcycles were allowed on the boat. The heavy winds and turbulent waters made it unsafe for bikes. So, we continued south for 22 miles and caught the bigger ferry from Chimney Point over to Crown Point. After crossing we mounted the bikes and headed back north.
This year we are traveling with a Bluetooth intercom system that allows us to talk to each other while riding. This is a blessing and a curse. It helps us make spontaneous decisions and to point out hazards to one another. On the downside, it discourages me from singing and talking to myself. It also forces me to listen to Eric say the same things over and over.
There are seeming only nine words in Eric's vocabulary; "I'm starving" and "I have to go to the bathroom". It reminds me of the long car rides with the kids when they were young. We would make pit stops every 30 minutes. The same is true with Eric. It's painful.
While heading north, instead of taking advantage of the break in the weather, Eric declared once again that he is "starving", mandating that we stop immediately for something to eat. He just couldn't wait the 25 miles to Lake Placid. So, we had lunch in pub in Port Henry. The juke box was playing Boz Scaggs, the TV's were tuned to college
football and we ordered the local delicacy; steak fajita. Delicious. These hearty folks know how to eat.
The minute we got back on our bikes the skies opened up again. We would have had a perfectly dry ride to Lake Placid if we hadn't stopped for lunch. Instead we had a nerve wracking adventure along twisting turns, speeding trucks and oil slicked roads. I let Eric have it on the intercoms.
Lake Placid hasn't changed a bit in the ten years since I've been there. Lots of upscale stores, overpriced restaurants and overcrowded hotels. While sitting in a pub enjoying our hot chocolates,
we dialed for hotel vacancies. After awhile we found a room at the Placid Bay Inn, a $110 roadside "paradise" across from MacDonalds a mile outside of town. The smell of cigarettes, the rock hard matresses and foam pillows couldn't stop us from sleeping. The stress of the ride wiped us both out.
Before hitting the hay we walked into town and found a place to eat called the Dancing Bears. The joint was jumping with Octoberfest in full force. We had a good local stout and a heaping plate of nachos. A great way to unwind after a stressful day.
When we got back to the place we tried to use the hair dryer to dry our gloves and boots. Unfortunately, after every 20 seconds the circuit breaker triggered. The Placid Bay wiring was 80 years old. We gave up after a few minutes.
This morning we awoke at 6:45. It took all we could muster to get into our gloves, boots and suits. They were still soaking wet. For 20 minutes Eric was hunting around the room looking for something; opening his bags, looking under the bed, opening his bags again. He finally asked me if I had seen his neck warmer. I pointed out that it was on his head. This is the way it's gone for the past two days. I don't know if we've been numbed by the cold and rain or whether old age is setting in.
By 8 we were ready to go. I wanted to hop on the bikes and take advantage of the lack of rain. Eric wanted to eat. So, again we ate. We walked over to MacDonalds for a sumptuous feast. I had oatmeal and coffee. Eric had oatmeal, a sausage sandwich and a diet coke. A great way to start a new day.
By now the rain had started again. We hopped on the bikes and headed through town to get out to the road north. As we passed a little adventure store, Eric suggested through the intercom that we stop and look for a pair of Gortex gloves. That was the best suggestion ever made. We bought two pairs and contrary to yesterday, my hands remained warm throughout. Thank you Eric. I owe you one.
After the gloves purchase, we headed back to the bikes. When we got to them Eric had again misplaced his keys.
We went back to the store and the clerk had found them. Eric had dropped them on the floor. We then headed back to the bikes. Upon arrival, Eric declared that he had to go to the bath room again. And, so it goes.
The rain did dissipate for the first hour. That was great. We drove up the west coast of Lake Champlain on rte. 9. It was a picturesque ride with full foliage on our left and deep blue seas on our right. The best stretch of ride yet. Unfortunately it didn't last long. The heavy rains started again and the temps hovered around 40. I was getting used to riding in these conditions. However, the trucks were another story. There is nothing Iike the heavy spray of a tracker trailer blinding you for a full three seconds. Doesn't sound like a long time but trust me, going 55 mph on a fairly major road and not being able to see for three seconds is quite panicky.
I wanted to keep riding through lunch but Eric was... So we stopped at the Tim Hortons in Cowansville for a bite. We were quite the site as we walked into the place, helmets on, dripping from head to toe. It was embarrassing as we created pools of water at our feet. I had a bowl of soup. Eric had the soup, a chicken sandwich and a pepsi.
We then continued on our trek. A little outside of town Eric scream into the intercom; "F... , someone stole my gps.". Somewhere between our last fuel stop and there It had disappeared. I cautioned him about jumping to the conclusion that it had been stolen. "It might have fallen off or you might have left it somewhere.". "No, it was stolen", he replied. At our next stop, 30 miles later, he found it. It had slipped off it's mount at lodged between the front forks of his bike. It was whole and fully functional. Unbelievable.
We arrived at the Chateau Bromont (http://www.chateaubromont.com) in Bromont, Quebec around 4 pm. I hopped in the shower and then settled in for the Patriots game. Another solid performance by Brady but I fear we may have lost Mayo for the year. That would really stink.
Sunday nights in this kind of place are a ghost town. We have been in the pub for two hours having dinner and nursing a couple of beers. Not one other customer has come through the doors.
The receptionist told us that they received word from the town that the water supply had become contaminated and not to drink the water. They have been giving us bottled water to hold us over. Fine with me.
We have to figure out a way to dry our clothes before making the 150 mile trip to Quebec City in the a.m. We can't stand the thought of putting those water-soaked outfits on again.
The forecast is for more of the same tomorrow. However, they say to expect sunshine on Tuesday. I'll believe it when I see it.
That's it for now. Sorry for the lack of blogging. I'll try to be more respectful to our loyal readers going forward.
Good night to all.
G.
- Posted from George's AT&T
iPhone
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