Again, I get by with a little help from my friends . . .
We were up early this morning. My knees are in bad shape, and breakfast was planned at Flo's diner, 11 miles from Judy's house on Lake Oneida, so B.O.B. hopped gleefully into the back of Judy's RAV-4, and I pedaled unencumbered to Flo's.
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| A bicycle entrepreneur's lawn |
Judy's choice of Flo's was definitely a good one. The place was packed, but we found space for three at the end of a long table. I had poached eggs on corned beef hash, Jess had eggs and sausage, and Judy had an omelet and hash browns--all at 1950's prices. Coffee was only 10 cents, as the sign out front advertised, and I think our breakfasts were $2.50 to $3.50 tops.
Now Judy had a plan from the get-go to shuttle us through Utica where she said the traffic is dense and NY-5 becomes four- and five-lane with over- and underpasses, etc. Judy works in the Sullivan Free Library, Bridgeport, and was telling a co-worker about my Heartland to Harbor for Hospice ride and her desire to shuttle me through Utica, but bemoaning the fact that her car was not big enough. A man named Larry Werline, overheard her. His parents had both had hospice care before their deaths and he wanted to donate his services! So, last night and this morning, after much telephoning and texting, it was set. We would meet Larry about 35 miles out and he would shuttle us through Utica and to a much more peaceful (and shouldered) NY-5 on the other side of the river.
BUT, at breakfast Jessica prevailed upon Judy to ask Larry if he could shuttle us both from Flo's and thus save my knees by skipping the 35 miles to Utica. Larry was all for it and joined us for what now could be a leisurely breakfast. Thank you Judy and Larry! You two were wonderful and thoughtful. Judy you were the ultimate hostess. Our pulled pork dinner last night was delicious and your thoughtful route finding was much appreciated! It was good to hook up with you again!
After breakfast, we loaded the two bikes and Jessica's "B.O.B. Jangles" -- so named because he does. My B.O.B. is silent because daughter Lucy and I put old tube rubber washers under all screws and metal-on-metal intersects.
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| Judy Barrett, Larry Werline, and moi where we were dropped off to continue our ride on the other side of Utica |
Jess rode with Larry and I rode with Judy. We stopped just the other side of Utica, hooked up B.O.B. and B.O.B Jangles, and resumed our ride. We had only twenty miles to Little Falls, thus making our day 31 rather than 66 miles. One of the very nice things about this shuttle was that it also got us past a hilly section of NY-5.
Route 5 in this area runs parallel to the Mohawk River. There is a RR track between the road and the river and at times along the route, trains would go hurtling past, whistles blaring. This reminded me of riding in Europe. River, railway, road and bike traffic all in a hurry to get somewhere.
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| Old bridge over the West Canada River |
Before long we came to Schuyler (Sky-ler), NY. For 43 years, Walker has been my last name, but before that it was Schuyler, and Schuyler is Jessica's middle name. It's a name to be proud of in this area as seven Schuylers were early mayors of Albany. Also, Philip John Schuyler was a general in the Revolutionary War and a U.S. Senator from NY, and his cousin Peter Schuyler commanded the Jersey Blues in the Revolutionary War. Alexander Hamilton married Elizabeth Schuyler, Philip's daughter. That's my genealogy lesson. Not surprisingly I have a brother John Philip and a brother Peter Schuyler.
The ride along NY-5 was two-lane shouldered until we got to Herkimer, about 6 miles from Little Falls. Then it turned multi-lane and fast busy. We got to Little Falls and the Inn at the Stone Mill at about 1:15 p.m.. This was great as we wanted a long stretch of no obligations and relaxation.
My sister Sarah's friend Ann MacMillan reserved the room for us. Ann wanted Sarah's sister to have the best room in Little Falls, and this sure is it. Thank you Ann! You rock!
We are in a suite on the 3rd floor with a view of the Mohawk River, a jacuzzi tub, keurig coffee maker, fridge, micro, living room, work area, and the works. From 5 to 6 p.m. there is wine and cheese down the hall. In fact I have just come from that happy occasion. I got to meet four cyclists from Connecticut (two couples) who bicycled from Albany to Little Falls and will be returning to Albany tomorrow. We will probably see each other on the road--or trail. We plan on riding the Mohawk-Erie Canal trail all or part way to Schenectady. Also met a couple from California who are here to visit his brother, and a woman named Lisa who was here six weeks ago and is jokingly disappointed that we are in "her" suite. Her daughter's prom night is tonight.
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| The bed head is made from the mill's old elevator door |
In a bit, Jessica and I will go to dinner. This area of Little Falls is artsy and fun. I know we will find a great place to eat. I will report on that tomorrow as well as our ride to Schenectady. Our Schenectady Warm Showers host, Kaaren Caron, and a friend plan to ride out to meet us on the trail. Tune in.
P.S. If you have missed it, go back to Day 33 and re-read. I've corrected some things, and added a photo of both barred owlets that Jeff took.
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