It was a warm, sunny, lazy sunday morning as we pedaled past a few homes and into the countryside;still mesmerized by the huge pines that bordered the corn fields.  An hour into the ride we got our first glimpse of Lake Erie;the horizon was obscured by the early morning fog, that had lifted but left behind a hazy sky.

Once again we had relatively flat terrainthrough farmland and small townswith some interesting driveway adornments.

These signs always elicit an UH OH from us as we know it cannot be good.  Such was the case when entering Port Bruce, our first steep drop and climb in days. The the road was filled with empty boat trailers taking advantage of the beautiful Sunday morning.  The fly down was great, but the climb was steep, thankfully, we only had a few such towns/drops/climbs. As we paralleled the Lake, we were surprised that farm fields lined the waterfront and homes that had waterfront land were hunched by the roadside (note the changing leaves). But no matter what direction you looked, the landscape had wind turbines.Our next town was Port Burwell, complete with a lighthouse, lunch and a submarine.

Saw more motorcycles today than we had in over a month, but then this is only the second day over 80° we have seen in over a month, too.  Also saw tobacco and asparagus fieldsfor the first time.  More new experiences included biking through Copenhagen, Vienna and then to Norfolk.

It was a beautiful day, but the breeze had picked up, and though it was less than ten mph, it was in our face making it a very long day.

There is about a 200 foot drop from the shoreline to the water on the Canadian side of Lake Erie, so this seemed strange to see,as did this.Our last climb was into town, this one we were happy to do as it meant we could stop for the day.  At 4:00 and 58 miles, we were ready.  Our darling port side town had a restaurant at the bottom of the hill (of course), but the view was worth it.

The best thing about staying in a bed and breakfast for the evening, is the scrumptious breakfast that awaits in the morning.Another glimpse of Lake Erie as we pedaled away from the sleepy town and straight into the fields of asparagus and soybeans with a wily corn stalk.Our ride this morning was anything but straight or flat. We stopped counting the number of 14% grade drops/climbs and just slowly pushed through each one……legs screaming.  Thankfully, the variety of homes

and landscape helped divert our attention…..not really, but definitely more interesting than yesterday.  Flowers graced the perfectly manicured lawns, even when barns had been abandoned the yards were still maintained.As we traveled further east, the homes began to line the shore,large homes tucked next to little cottages.The homes were getting larger and larger, but nothing had prepared us for this (35,000 sq.ft.) monstrosity under construction.Back to reality, we biked through lovely small towns and ports on Lake Erie and past a huge electric plant on one side and farms on the other;energy alternative abound.We traveled past vineyards, finally getting a glimpse of the land drop to the water.

After lunch, we opted for the more direct route to our destination.  Excellent decision as our original route was closed for construction, plus the on-shore wind had picked up and offered a nice push; a nice respite from our morning hills.  On flat, straight roads, we saw many more barns,finally a field of sunflowers and a new twist on solar panels.Crossed the Grand River into Dunnvill and our motel romantically situated on the water.Just down the street, we stepped back in time for pizza and a hug with superstars.

Not a bad 53 mile day and over 3100 miles for the trip…..and we are not there yet!

Left early this morningto bike the couple of miles to our favorite Canadian coffee stop. By 7:30 we were sufficiently sugared and coffeed and pushed off into the warm 68° humid morning. For our few miles in the countryside, we enjoyed the wind blowing at our back. Then our course took a turn and we rode along the Lake Erie in the Low Banks area, finally able to see the water and shoreline. The area was filled with an assortment of homes,large to small, cottages to castles, nestled side by side all enjoying the view. Some houses were so large we couldn’t get the entire house in the picture. There were still areas the farmland had not been overtaken by homes or vacation cottages.

We had a couple of rolling hills, but out in the open we had the wind at our back, so was not brutal like yesterday. We rode through small towns, parks, ports and a few miles of private trails. Didn’t expect to see a high rise skyline as we rounded a corner and got our first glimpse of the United States. It was also neat to see Fort Erie and the U.S. flag as it was when we captured the fort in 1814.  Everyone was enjoying the day along Lake Erie where it flows into the Niagara River. Duckies stopped for lunch overlooking Buffalo, NY while we took a break.  We followed the road along the river with the United States off our right shoulder, enjoying beautiful tree lined streets and ridiculously large homes.

Our course offered the unique opportunity to bike right on the riverbefore it fell into the infamous falls, which at times gave pause as to if we were allowed on this part.You could hear the rush of the water and see the plume of water spray that came up for the drop, but noting really prepares you for the sight of the falls, even if you’ve seen them before…..just spectacular.Though we could see the States and the bridge over was close by, it was too late to try to navigate the border.  And the day had gotten warm; summer had finally arrived, so at 64 miles, we called it a day.

Left in a hectic dash this morning to bike the six miles along the Niagara River to get to the bridge that would take us back into the states. Yesterday, we had watched the stack-up of traffic inching across the border, so wanted an early start to wait in line.  Maybe it was the hour, maybe this particular bridge, but we got to the bridge with ease and were instructed to just follow the cars!Thankfully, the traffic was not heavy as we approached the six lane interstate bridge with cars and trucks.It was a bit hairy, strange but safe experience.  No welcome to states sign, but did catch the flag on the middle of the bridge.This side of the river we were back into the country and small townswith an occasional mansion thrown into the mix.It was a pretty, yet warm morning……Jerry had wanted summer and though it had taken until mid-August to feel it, summer was definitely here.

Can’t say we just bumped into him, but those of you from Virginia Beach may recognize this guy. Travis has been talking about joining us for this ride since before we left; he finally bit the bullet and met us.  Not sure if he picked this point because of the course today, but it was a great way to start off.  At 10:30 we biked through Lockport and dropped down along the Erie canal. Wind at our backs and a flat course along the canal made for a great day of riding; even the duckies enjoyed it.We saw large fields, pretty churches across the river and apple orchards just being harvestedand picked.Must be time for lunch. Found a great place right off the canal, but will not show you Jerry’s meatloaf sandwich with a side of mash potatoes, all smothered in gravy.

Our only paved portion of the towpath was so rough at points we had to walk our bikes.  It was a beautiful day being pushed along the canal by the nice tailwind and surprised to see very few peopleand only one boat.A bend in the river, the northern most point of the Erie Canal, and we were at our destination, filled with more churches in a one block radius than you would think possible. Biked through town as we were on the outskirts, all done for the day.

It was a warm and windy morning as we back-tracked our couple miles to the tow-path. With the wind behind us our only resistance was the cinder trail grabbing more of our tire than the normal pavement.  So we sat back, pedaling enough to progress, and enjoyed the wind-assisted ride, the water and the changing of leaves.Interrupted this guy in the middle of his graffiti, not sure if he wanted to join us or if he was chasing us away from his masterpiece.

On our approach into Rochester, the canal split and the tow paths multiplied.  We choose the one away from the water, through a beautiful park, up and down three different bridges and miraculously on the right course.  Stopped early for lunch, taking advantage of the pretty stop and several choices of restaurants.  It was a rather lazy afternoon along the river and even the duckies seemed to be taking a siesta.Met Roxy and Linda from Alaska doing our same route, only faster.

About 2:30 we headed north away from our wonderful path.  Off course (to get to the only motel available) and we are immediately into rolling hills.  That was not the concern….out of the canopy of trees, we saw how the storm forecasted for this evening was growing…..fast!  We were hoping we could pump out the 12 miles necessary, but only managed one.  It started with a drop, two, three then a torrential downpour.  In the middle of nowhere with nowhere to go but forward, we pedaled hard against the driving rain.  We emerged from the rain a half hour later, a bit cleaner from our dusty path and cooled off from the earlier heat.  Still dripping when we pulled up to our motel, but after 72 miles, we did not care we were ready to be done.

Yesterday’s rain had cleared the sky from any hint of humidity and the strong north wind made the 60° feel quite cool.  It was a picture perfect, chamber of commerce, football weather, fall day.  Our first four miles was along a busy highway,then we headed north into the country.  Luckily the tall tree lined street shielded us from the winds full blast.  A few miles down, a bend in the road and we were in a small town looking at Lake Ontario. Pultneyville is a historic, patriotic and charming town.After biking the two blocks through the town, we were in the middle of apple orchards. Trees were bursting with fruit, the bins on the stand-by for the harvest. It did not take long for us to start the rolling hills and they did not stop.  Met Larry from Rochester doing a week long ride through the countryside.

An hour later, as we are flying down a hill after a long climb, this crazy lady in a van starts waving her arms at us.  We hesitantly braked on our much cherished fly down only to be surprised by Sheryl (in the middle, flanked by Hanna and Sue), a friend from the Brac.  Turns out we were only a couple miles away from where she and Gary lived; little did we know how brutal those couple miles of hills were.  It was a great two hour stop, and lunch (THANK YOU, you two), but we still had a lot of miles to cover. Gary, SO sorry we did not get a pic of you and Sheryl together. The minute we left, at 1:30, the hills started rolling and did not quit. The drops were great, but the climbs brutal.  We would have given up the drops to flatten out the climbs.  But the day was gorgeous; the temperatures had remained cool, the wind continued to blow in our face and apple orchards were everywhere.  It was taking everything we had to climb the hills, so had little energy/opportunity to take pictures; but Google was there to catch us!!The rolling hills were non-stop and steep.We were so exhausted by the time we rolled into our destination, we only managed a picture of the Oswego River; a branch of the Erie Canal that flows into Lake Ontario.  Finally checked into our hotel at 5:30; took us almost six and a half hours to go 61 miles and we were toast!

Seven o’clock was the earliest we had left in the last week or two, but we had a long day ahead and needed an early start.  This far west in the time zone, the sun was directly in our eyes (and the cars beside us) making it very difficult to see.  Just as well, since our first half an hour was a continuation of the brutal hills we faced yesterday afternoon.  Thankfully, the road turned, we gained a shoulder and the hills mellowed slightly.

Once we were able to see, we were able to enjoy the countrysideas well as the cool morning. The dew from the low 50’s temperatures hung heavy on the grass like frost.  Gone were the orchards from yesterday; the farmland, creeks and ponds remained.  Saw an abundance of fowl today,(yes, that is a white turkey)
including a Lions Club BBQthat we were a half an hour early for, as we biked through a town. It was another gorgeous day not without it’s interesting sights

and signs.Despite the tough hills that came one after another, we were thoroughly enjoying the ride.

We stopped along a lake for an early lunchthen continued out into the sunshine and hills.  We were starting to see the Adirondack at the top of each climb, beautiful creeks at the bottom of each drop, a few homes and pretty fields in between.  We had called this hotel, but they never answered the phone, luckily we did have a reservation at a real hotel.  A couple of hours rest after being on the seat for seven and a half hours, then dinner and strawberry/rhubarb pie.