Final Days of the Titanic - Day 2

Second day has us heading out of the Finger Lakes regions to Stockton, NY as the turnaround point. As you move closer to that little section of Pennsylvania that sticks up and provides access to Lake Erie, the topography and the roads become more fun and scenic. From Stockton we headed southeast and found ourselves getting into the PA mountains of the Allegheny National Forest and Susquehannock State Forest.



Last month we rode thru PA and saw these guys popping up from time to time. We finally came across where these things are grown.



A windmill farm



Somewhere between Boston NY and Stockton NY we found ourselves in heavy farming country. I stopped here because it looked like someone had just dropped these round bails of stuff in a very symmetrical pattern.



An attempt for the NER Calendar



We stopped for lunch at this place in Cattaraugus, NY. We had some great dogs at Jenny's. When I went to pay for the check via VISA, she ran it thru but didn't leave any place to put a tip. I made a remark about this and she said you are not from around here are you. I never did quite figure out what she meant.



The turnaround point to head east



An old store in Ellington, NY. I just liked this place, no significance.



More dirt



Once in a Blue Barn.



Last stretch to our day's final destination



Today was to be the short day at 400 planned miles that turned into 440 miles because for some reason this section has a lot of detours for bridges gone bad. Up until the last detour we were way ahead of schedule (30 to 45 minutes), which we managed to burn up and actually arrived later than planned. We took our final Ton pic of the day and retired at the Ox Yoke Inn.

Final Days of the Titanic - Day 1

This weeks adventure took us on a loop out to Stockton, NY (almost to PA), south to Galeton PA and back home thru NY. In the 1449 miles we grabbed 49 Tons and Burgs, couple of places for the Call of the Wild, and even managed 2 pics for the NER Treasure Hunt. This was the final push to capture Tons and Burgs for the Titanic Tour. Maybe we will get a few more towns in Connecticut.

Some of the things I learned this weekend, it is possible to go up a muddy dirt road, just don’t let off the throttle, western NY is pretty flat and straight, the sinking feeling that ones GPS is going south again, riding in the rain is not all that bad, Shinko tires work in wet conditions, and don’t get caught taking pictures of the Inebriate.

The first day was a planned 500 mile journey to the Finger Lake region of New York. Once you get passed the Adirondacks and Catskill Mountains, New York becomes pretty much flat. This is not a place I would pick to ride the twisties. While the scenery is not bad, with an occasional view of the Erie Canal, this place is pretty boring. We stayed in Canandaigua and we spent a good part of a half hour discussing how to say that towns name. We were both wrong. Summing up the day we captured 16 Tons and Bergs, got 2 places for the Call of the Wild and managed to squeak in a NER August Treasure Hunt item. (All photos will open a new window to full size, just click em)

We found plenty of dirt during this trip, but this has come to be expected when you do these treasure hunts. Some are more intimidating than others. The other type of road has been the Fresh Oil and Stone roads. When you first come across these you immediately think tiny pebbles and gooy slippery oil. These turned out to be pretty good roads for the most part

Lots of corn out this way. While moving along, the wind picked up pretty heavily in spots causing the leaves on the stalks of corn to wave. At times I felt like we were running a marathon thru the crowded streets of town with the people clapping as we raced past.



Of course what would one of my trips be without a National Landmark or Park. We pulled into Cornell University in Ithaca, NY to grab a pic of Morril Hall. As you can see the place is undergoing renovation, and I had to get a pic of the Landmark plaque, so jumping the fence was in order. I had been to this place once before in the Minutemen 1000 Rally 2 years ago.



A tribute to Ezra, himself




Grabbed this mural for the NER Treasure Hunt for the bird FALCON.



Our last stop of the night at about 8:30pm but we still had more distance to go.



What's nice about traveling at this time of night is you get to see the sunset. This is Canandaiqua Lake.





We rolled into the Finger Lakes Inn around 9, dumped our stuff in the room and headed for Applebee's because it was right across the street. It was a great 12+ hour day, with 534 miles knocked off. The extra miles from the planned 500 was due to GPS having the motel where it is not.

It's a Natural

Bridge, located in North Adams off Rt 8, which is a nice place to ride. We happened to this place for pure INK, the Massachusetts State Park Passport book and what a gem of a place to visit. Most of the places are just a place to swim and very scenic so a grab and run is perfectly acceptable. Here we actually walked. As with most of my posts you can click any picture, which will open a new browser window to enlarge.

A pic of us racing to the location



Actually I don't have clue where this pic was taken other than it is the right day. MeAsWe was the trigger.


The sign that told we were in the right location



We were after this little box where the INK is kept under combo and wire



MeAsWe says I am going to see the bridge. I had to hobble up to this place and put our $2.00 down. Very worthwhile payment to Patrick.



I headed for the bridge. Now according to Wikipedia this is the largest naturally formed marble bridge in North America. Just to think it is right in our backyard.

The dam, it's made of marble



A look into the deep cutouts by the water flow many many moons ago



The bridge over troubled water. The picture doesn't really do it justice, but hey its the only one I got



I lied the other side of the bridge



Killer stairs. They have created a little maze of places that take you down into the rock formations. I actually was lost trying to figure out how to get out.



Entrance road leading up to the park, which is a nice ride too



You can read about this place here, much better than me trying to tell you the facts. CLICK HERE MeAsWe said: "Words alone can not describe, it is a place you gotta see."



Last pic. Me hobbling my way out of the rocks. YMMV

As the Duck Flies

Its Sunday and I am really really bored and I have heard motorcycles off in the distance but none of them approached me until 5PM. I heard voosh coming up the mountain. It got a little louder and then it suddenly stopped. I heard voices saying it should be right behind one of the wood posts. I felt a hand and she grabbed me, pulling me from the spiders and their webs. They were gonna try eating me, but I am not what they think.

MeAsWe and Willie introduced themselves and told me we were gonna go for a little ride. I asked to look at the mountains one more time. MeAsWe came with me. She has the same color feathers as me.



We stopped here for some water for all of us. I was really thirsty and wanted to swim



We be shopping



Oh the shopping was worth it, but this pond is a little to small to swim in.



We went to see one of my tall relatives.



Then Willie brought me to see one of my SQUID relatives. Fast Freddy Falcon is really fast. Willie keeps taking this blanket out for me to sit on. I am gonna have to ask him why. I wonder if it is a spirtual thing with him ?



We stopped here for dinner. I was a little nervous they might serve duck here and they we gonna sell me



The Mario Brothers were in town. We had a blast



I was promised if I watched the bike I wouldn't be put on the menu.



I was diligently watchin the bike, when MeAsWe said are you hungry ??



After dinner we went outside and I decided I liked my new friends so much I got another tattoo.



Check out this neat 82 Honda 900 Custom



Willie said we needed to get a move on. He said he has a special surprise for me. So off we went. I really like the FJR, it is a great touring bike. PhatPat scared the QUACK out of me on the way up the mountain. Willie doesnt drive as fast, but he's not slow either.

I am seeing an awful lot of these and I don't even like coffee.



I feel asleep and when I woke up we were here. Willie told me my Aunt Red owns a chain of these places and is really really rich.



Even thou she was really busy she wanted to see the motorcycle. She's really big compared to me. Maybe too much of her own food.



It was like a family reunion at her place. These are cousins somewhat removed and I hear they play hockey too. I don't know what the guy in the back is cheering about, I don't even know him.



Well after we got over the initial hugs and kisses, Aunt Red said "Why don't stay here for awhile and learn how to wait. I am learning how to host, take customers names and seating customers. I am safe, NO WAY would Aunt Red Robin serve duck. So ask for me by name Duc and you have to have your helmet with you when you ask. I will be at the hostess station waiting for another ride. Thanks MeAsWe and Willie for the ride



I gotta go, I gotta get QUACKING before Aunt Red fires me. I just quack myself up. AFLAC. Oh I am at the Blackstone Vally Shopping Mall in Millbury, MA

GPS Ain't Wrong

This really ticked me off. I am sure I could have gone down the street, but being a good citizen I didn't.

Bring it On - The Soap, Sponge and Hose

Out gathering Tons and Burgs and just couldn't resist. According to a person sitting there these girls were 3rd in the Nationals in Florida

Working up a lather


Rinse Cycle


Finish

IBA National Park Tour #2

When MeAsWe got her certificate the other day and I did not receive mine, there was a bit of concern. On her list of recent finishers my name was listed. Of course I started to scan back in my memory pushing some of the cob webs out of the way, maybe I put N Uxbridge down and the IBA association had mailed it to Uxbridge. Dang this was gonna take a while to straighten out and I already bought a frame for the Certificate.

This morning that yellow card was in the box. When I walked out of the post office yesterday, MeAsWe said "didn't come?", to which I said "it will show up, no big deal". Well that was a cover up. I don't know what it is, but there is something meaniful behind that piece of paper.

Number three is well underway in it's plannng stage, ready for execution beginning September 9th.