Marriott Albany

As luck would have it, I fell off my bike and broke my collarbone 10 days before my departure to hike in Italy and tour around Turkey. Fortunately, it was not a bad fracture so I was able to travel, and could even carry some weight with my right arm, but couldn't hold a backpack on the shoulder.

My itinerary is: fly from JFK to ...

... there is something there with answers. Hum.

Charlie says he is getting quite a few munchies on the road, but I find places to make him run it off. I didn't let him have any fudge (maple-walnut). It isn't as good as the fudge I left behind. Sister Jere suggested I look on-line and see if I can find the place and order some vanilla-pecan. Seriously, it was to die for.

Off to Vermont to see friend Kate tomorrow. Can't wait.

The first part of the ride from the village of Lake George to Glens Falls is mostly on a bike trail. It was nice to have a shorter, much flatter ride the next day down to Easton Mountain, where I attended a retreat over Labor Day weekend.

After the fun experience of really checking tire pressure and filling to specs I was on my way - sounds simple but Visions are not. Too much hardware in the way and make sure your have a gauge with a little hose.
First stop, a short hop to Albany to visit with friends I see far too little of. Delightful way to begin the trip, and a shady spot for the bike to roost for the night.

... one or two ridges to cross. There's a great downhill leading to the Alcove reservoir, southwest of Albany. We camped that evening at a lovely marina on the shore of the Mohawk river, just west of Schenectady.

... and all the flowers are blooming. The picture of the trail doesen't do the buttercups justice, they lined the road and were everywhere. We rode by a number of locks all in use. The Erie trail was beautiful and we spent a good part of the ride on it and being a Saturday it was being used by a number of locals. I rode with a husband and wife for a breif period they were on a tandem and couldn't believe what I was up to ...

... Many of the houses on the main street did indeed look in need of some TLC but somehow that only adds to their charm. However, leaving them will not preserve them either. It has rather a colourful past it seems, at one time there was about 50 bars and many houses of ‘ill repute’ when these were raided, many local officials and police were caught!

After declining in the 60’s and 70’s the city has ...

... relaxing weekends we have had. Other than getting a little to much sun on the beach, it was a great time! Bella did very well with her second camping experience. She is becoming quite comfortable being outside and going up and down the stairs of the camper. She even buried my feet in the sand on the beach. Who knew Chihuahuascould dig such deep holes!

The night before I left, I took my bike and rode along the Jordan River Parkway near Saratoga Springs, watching a beautiful sunset go behind the mountains. Sometimes I like to just be alone.

... atmosphere of the past several days. Maneuvering my way towards a building towering over the city, I watched for markers directing me to the State Capitol. Luck and my bloodhound nose found a parking garage. Emerging just where I wanted to be - the middle of the Empire State Plaza - I blinked and smiled. First the Visitors Center, then the food vendor, before I joined lunching office workers and early spring tourists on the marble benches of the concourse. At the ...