Going Solo

Going Solo Amsterdam, NY

Amsterdam, NY

We have been trying not to think too much about the end of this trip. Over the last few days we talked about going north to the Adirondacks as we hit the mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire. The night before last, Lee mentioned that they were thinking of hitting the Pocono mountains and then heading west towards home. After thinking of several options, including ending the trip as we started it, to, I may not get back here ever and if I do I might not get here at the time of the trees changing like they are now. So I mention that I still might go north to the Adirondacks. Lee and Kathy are understanding and encouraging me to do what I want. I noodle on this overnight and check the weather which seems to be cooler temps but dry. I decide to head north and get into the Northern NY mountains. I’ve never seen them so want to hit them with good weather and great colors. We pack up in the morning and say our good-boys. We promise to ride safe. We ride together for 20 miles or so and they turn left and I turn right to go north. We talk on the CB sharing our love and I glance at the odometer. Lee and I have been together for 8326 miles! Somewhere around 49 days. He is a great traveling companion and friend. We have shared so many experiences on this trip, so many laughs, no tears and no disagreements. His last message to me is we need to plan the next trip! He is exactly right! I ride up the western side of the Catskills on route 30. I will stay on this all day and into tomorrow. The ride is great but I hit rain on many occasions. None was predicted but the high temps were supposed to be in the mid to upper 50’s. It’s not that warm. And rain is about half of the ride. The electric gear, jacket and gloves are on for the first time on this trip. Gloves on 2 and the jacket on 1. I stop in Amsterdam to get gas and find out from a local that I should stay here as there is not much in the Adirondacks. I cover about 200 miles. I get a text from Lee and they stopped to get a new rear tire and brakes. They ran into cold and rain too. It rains on and off all night and the temps drop into the low 30s. No rain is predicted for tomorrow but wind and cooler temps into the mid 50s are. It is raining and cloudy in the morning, I get started about 10 wearing my electric gear and rain pants. I’m warm except my feet get cold as we go along. The night temp today will be 40. I stop for breakfast and coffee just as a snow squall is in my way. I use one of my toe warmers and get back on the road. My jacket is set to 2 and gloves to 4, At Wells I pull over since this name has significance to me and good decisions. I look at the map, and consider that most of the leaves have blown off last night and today in the high winds. I decide I have had enough of the Adirondacks! I turn east to get to the nearest highway, 87. 87 takes me to a small backroad 20 that avoids the toll and I get on highway 86 West! Homeward bound! The afternoon is cold but no more rain. I make it to Binghamton, and take a long hot tub. I finish with about 250 miles today. No pictures yesterday or today, it’s way to much hassle to take off the gloves needed to get the iPhone out and operating. And Lee isn’t with me to take pictures that I have come accustom to using.