Headwind

First, typing with one finger and a keyboard the size of a matchbook is no fun for a guy who can't see without glasses and is too lazy to go get them. Anyhow...



A beautiful day to generate electricity if you are a windmill! But no rain, a super nice lady bought karina and I lumch. Best of all, we have visitors! Anny, cassidy and tesslin are with us tonight! I will write more about what has been happening over the last week once we get to Bloomington in a few more days.



Also, Karina's comment about the roller coaster should have said "OH MY!"

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Lima

Big head wind in the afternoon plus a presistant leak in my rear tube slowed things down . Only managed 50 total, but they were beauties.



The laptop seems to have crashed, so I am on the virtual keyboard - joy.



We will have visitors tomorrow night- details later.



Two other things, one - if you feel inclined to make a donation, don,t be shy. Second, there is a raffel - tickets are $10 and first prize is one of the trikes ($3000 value - and very cool).



One more, if any of you know (or are) wives or mothers of military in Iraq or Afghanistan, we have some donated pearl necklaces to give to those people - just let me know.



Enough for tonight. Thanks!

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Where are we today

McCutchenville, OH? We were just there this morning!



Nice day. 30 miles down, 40 to go!



Road a roller coaster last night at Cedar Point, OH. If you really like roller coasters, that's the place to go. Karina says "it my!"

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What an awsome day!

If you have never been to Niagara Falls, you absolutely must go. It is so much more amazing than I was ready for and we had just the perfect day weather-wise to take it in. We got drenched by the American Falls, Karina was in and out of the torrents of spray for half an hour before she finally was ready to go to the next thing. I would watch her dissappear into the spray, then after a half a minute she would race out to the railing, rake and squeeze the water from her hair, big smile, then right back in. So wonderful.

Later we walked over the Rainbow Bridge to the Canadian side and got great views of the falls, then went for a ride on the Maid of the Mist boat. I figured we were going to get totally drenched, but the boat eventually navigated to this spot where the mists kind of missed, so we could take photos and all that. The water coming down. incredible.

couple of more photos

Sun came out for a bit! Karina on her trike taken near LeRoy, NY along Rt5.

The other is of the sky near Windam, NY between storms!

some photos

Photo of Karina and Lilah.

Lilah told me yesterday that since it was Father's day and I was not there, that she had changed it to Daughter's Day!

Thanks for all the messages!

Hi again, thanks to you all for the messages and comments! It is really fun! I wish I actually understood all this computer stuff better so I could comment back and all that, but I don't.(just happy to be having as much technological success as I have been so far!)

I'll Try to post some more photos today. Because the first bit has been a lot of pedaling, I have taken less photos than I might have. I mean, after all, how many photos does one need to see of a road in the rain with a field next to it (though, there have been some breathtaking fields, great roads, etc). I could have probably taken a photo of the insane pit bull that was just dying to break its chain to shred us, but I decided to get the hell out of there instead! (you can jsut get the mental image - mentally unstable dog on chain with bare ground under his range, huge mouth and big muscles (next day I bought pepper spray just in case. I have also been practicing light sabre techniques with my tire pump!)

Layover near Buffalo

Hi, yesterday was a fine ride. Actually had been scheduled for 75 miles but decided that 56 was enough, especially after the ride in the rain the day before. We had good weather afterall, just a little mist now and then.

A couple of things to fix early on, chain adjustments, brake adjustments, another flat. I think we have almost filled our quota on that stuff, so pretty soon we'll have no more of that (do you believe me?; you shouldn't).

I am finally breaking down today and buying a pair of legitimate bike shorts with the padded butt. Looks like the trikes are still a few days off, we are now looking at Sandusky, OH and the pick up point. That being the case, I thought that some amenities were in order, hence the shorts and I am also going to put the clip pedals on the cycle that I am riding - enough of this toughing it out!

We are staying with friends outside of Buffalo, which is fabulous for all the reasons that you could think of. Karina just woke up (a little after 9), I have been up since 6 or so (my clock has apparently reset itself to early mode).

We'll take it slow this morning, then it's off to Niagara Falls for the rest of the day. Looks like it should be fine weather.

About the end of the day yesterday Karina announced that I was torturing her as we had to ride past a carnival in Stafford without stopping, immediately followed by passing a mini-golf place! Not sure that qualifies as serious torture, but perhaps minor.

The ride from Canandaigua was much more uphill than I was expecting (any of us). Seemed like we spent the majority of the day going up, even though I know that is not really possible. Anyhow, the combination of the day before and the drain of what seemed like endless hills minus the fun of the fast cruises downhill, made for a harder day. Having said that, we still put in over 50 miles and there was no mutany (maybe a slight boycott). We are all glad to not be on the cycles today!

Tomorrow we cross the bridge into Canada for the remainder of the week.

another photo

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uphill in the rain

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Ditto

Good Morning. 6:30am, and it's Groundhog Day (as in the Bill Murry movie); it's also the first day of summer.

It is not raining yet, but it reminds me of when I was in Ireland with Jon and Steve and we seemed to be endlessly stuck in clouds and rain, the morning conversation would go like this (each phrase was spoken daily, by each person, multiple times per day for ten days): (upon waking one of us would unzip the tent flap, stick their head out and survey the day) "How's it look out there?" "I think it looks brighter, we might be OK. (momentary optimism)" "yeah, OK. (reality strikes)" Then it would rain as usual, though the precipitation was blissfully punctuated by multiple stops for Cake, Butter and plenty of beer. Rarely noticed the rain in the afternoons, though the conversation repeated from pub doorways, or sheep barns, or from under eves or awnings.

Anyhow, it is looking brighter outside. And, I am sure that by the time we get to Kansas that we'll all be remembering the cool. wet, rainy and overcast days with heartfelt romance, wishing that we'd have some shade.

We have somewhere around 70 miles to go today. Happy Father's Day!

Singing in the Rain

Yeah, OK, so it did in fact rain on us the entire ride today, but we were relentless and just plowed through it. We left the IC boathouse about 8:15 and by the time we had gotten to just past the Glenwood Pines I had two flats! Patching in the rain is a joy,. Then I found that the tire was split, so I had to perform triage on that and successfully plugged the tire and then rode it another 60 miles! Might just see how much of the day I can get it to go tomorrow!

Later, Karina had a chain issue, so we dodged into a dilapedated barn behind a house that was for sale to do that repair in relative dryness. Success again, and then we pounded out the last 12 miles to Canandaigua.

We got to see three of the albino deer that reside in a reservation alongside of Rt96a in/near Romulous (sp). Very cool animals! Did not get photos (as the rain was too risky for the digital camera).

Got to see a wedding at Taughannock Falls overlook, that was nice (and somewhat wet).

We are inside and dry tonight, warm again and ready to sleep. I have had my preemptive ibuprophen, but I am hoping that after we leave the Buffalo area that I won't need that any longer.

The TiTrikes are soon to be here! Can't wait (nor can my sore butt). The photos of the trikes are phenominal and I am confident that the real deal is going to be much, much better. The plan is for them to be delivered to us in Buffalo.

I have been riding a last minute touring bike that is a little less well fitted that is optimal, and my backside was not fully prepared for the saddle ride that I have been getting. No blisters, but plenty of sore. That's enough on that.

Karina is starting to really figure out her legs and strength and becomming more and more confident in her capacities. Three days ago I was able to ask her "so, we have riddne 25 miles already, do you feel like you have ridden that far?" and she'd say "no." Today the question was "You have just ridden 50 miles, do you feel like you have ridden that far?", and I get the same answer "no." We made almost 70 miles today and as we were fixing the broken chain at the 60 mile mark, soaked and cold and rummaging in a funky old barn to stay out of the rain while we repaired the chain, we are laughing, screwing around and generally both in good moods.

The terrain was much less hilly today and for one stretch of favorable flat Karina was busting 24 mph for almost 5 miles, I was busting trying to keep up (my cold knees were less than happy today).

I'll try to get photos up sometime soon. I haven't quite been rady to tackle that little tech project, but maybe tomorrow night. We'll see.

Thanks for the comments and all that - wish I could see you all!

Leaving Ithaca

Well, it's a good thing that we are not here for one more day, the general pull of the area, the friends in the area, etc., and we might have had to stay all summer! Great place.

Wend to see the EAC Montessori production of Peter Pan last night at the State Theater. Outstanding.

Tons of thanks to Dan and Becky, Connor and Eli for hosting us here; it's been a blast!

We are now off north and then west to arrive near Canandaigua today, then Sunday it's on to more friends outside of Buffalo! Can't wait (though apparently Karina is finding the bed more appealing thasn the breakfast table (for the moment))! Got to go!

Ithaca

Alright! Here and at a real keyboard at last, so I can write a little more than the basics.

Today was great ride - about 30 miles (a relief after doing almost 70 the day before). We got to sleep a little later than usual and that gave the heavy rain time to pass. By the time we left Marathon, NY, the sky was grey but dry for the next several hours. A word about the hills between Oneonta and Marathon, they are not for the faint of heart. To give you a little idea of who the 13 year old is who is riding this trip, two short stories.

First, on the first day, 50+ miles, toward the end of the day we are tired, knees sore, Karina is cranking away up a hill and I have hopped of the bike to walk a little. I suggest to Karina that she hop off the trike for a bit to walk up the last bit of the hill, her response was clear and to the point: Dad, I am riding across America, not walking!" That pretty much shut me up.

Yesterday, huge hills, three long days behind us, 8pm, getting dark, raining significantly, we had the opportunity to get trucked the last 8 miles. I asked Karina if she wanted to ride, she said yes. I told the guys in the truck to take off and we got ready to ride a little more. Then she tells me: "dad, I meant I wanted to ride in the truck!". No option, no tears, just back on the bike and she pedaled another 4 miles uphill. Got picked up when it was really too dark to ride safely any longer, but if we had lights, she would have just kept on. Incredible kid!

So, this morning I am getting ready to leave the campground, walking up to the front entrance and there is this guy who just pulled in in an RV, I say good morning and he says good morning, and I say, Hey, I know you! Turns out that he used to live in Cummington, moved four years ago to Florida and just happened to be traveling in the NE. What are the chances of this happening?

I am in Ithaca ten minutes, getting a smoothin at CTB in Collegetown and I run into Mark Ladd! Great things just keep on happening! Knock on wood they continue just like that.

Tomorrow afternoon I am still planning to visit the Ithaca commons between 4 and 6, so if any of you are in the area and what to say hello, keep your eyes peeled.

We had a BBQ at the IC boathouse tonight which was fun. I watched Karina catch a duck, just scoop it up!

The ride through the Catskills was really nice. Big hill to climb up to Windham, and it was in the clouds. There is a biz there that advertises a five state view, couldn't see anything! Took a pic of Karina pointing at the fog! Karina says "five state view my a--!"

A short while later we crest the top of the hill and the shy breaks open and it is just so beautiful that you would never believe that only minutes and miles earlier it was a complete wet fog bank!

I'll see if I can load up a few pictures soon.

We set the iphone up on the back of Karina's trike so we can listen to music. Current favorites are the sound track from Mama Mia, HAIR, and Beatles Abby Road! Life is good!

More soon.

Oneonta

Made it 60 miles today. East of windham was a cloud. West over the pass it got clear and lovely. Went through a town named Butts Corner, thought you'd like to know such a place exists!

Had steaks for dinner, dessert at the shiney diner. Life is good!

Time to pass out.

In the wet

Some rain yesterday, but not too bad. Karina and missed the turn for the campground, so we got a bonus ride of 1 mile very uphill! We get to ride it again this morning! Sorry about the double posts! I probably won't get that sorted out until Ithaca. Hoping to get near oneonta by the end of today. Ken had his first flat at the end of yesterday, I patched it once in the dark, and then more successfully this morning!

Typing with one finger is a pain! (unless I am at my keyboard at home, then it is just business as usual!)

Day 2 near windham

Wild day. It took a lot longer to get to the eve bridge than expected. Thanks patty Alexander and elliott for the welcome to copake falls. Really nice! When I get to somewhere that I can wifi. I'll post more. We are not too sore'

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One down

Eventful and fine day. I will write more when more simple to do. Karina is brilliant

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Saturday morning

It is absolutely true that "stuff" happens. Lots of last minute adjustments being made, but all will be well.

Off to CT within the hour!

Send Off

Great pot-luck last night here at the house. Thank you to everyone who came and for all the love - really great way for us to set off!

Last minute stuff here at home, then we are off for CT in a couple of hours.

A note about my blogging: I intend to write everyday, but won't likely be able to actually post stuff every day. Some of the places we will be staying will be without computer access or wifi, etc. So, please don't get weird-ed out f we go into silent mode for a period of time, thinking that maybe we had been abducted by aliens or whatever! I'll just be backlogging and then I'll post a bunch to get caught up.

Over hill, over dale,
Thorough bush, thorough brier,
Over park, over pale,
Thorough flood, thorough fire,
I do wander everywhere.
A Midsummer Night's Dream, 2. 1

The Slippery Slope!

Thursday PM. Stuff is in bags (mostly). Have everything we need (mostly).

Tomorrow is the pot luck here for friends nearby. Thank you to everyone who has contacted us to wish us well and to those of you who generously have donated to the project! It is quite astounding the things that can happen from one little idea voiced into the world! Great place, the world.

For fun I thought I'd post a relatively ancient photo of myself (I think I was 24 in this one). Understand that this is pretty much how I feel (OK, so I am lying, but you can forgive the poor guy). At that time I was leading bike tours for a cycling company here in MA. We'll get something a little more current posted from the pre-game show on Sunday morning (all this is predicated upon the assumption that I will a) be able to get the computer to work from my tent, b) am still conscious enough to manage the additional physical demands of the day, c) there is not anything else much more pressing at that moment!)

Enjoy the pic!

June 10

Wow, can't believe that in three more short days we hit the road! Currently there are more details to tie up than you would want to know about, but we are all pushing forward!

Friday is our "bon voyage" pot luck here at home. Then on Saturday it's off to CT to ready the trailer and the truck, stow the gear, and hopefully take a practice spin on the trikes! Friday evening is a funding dinner celebration. Then, at last, Sunday morning we depart in whatever shape we are in for Day 1.

The ride will take us 50 or so miles through NW CT, SW MA and then into NY for the first night of camping. The extended forecast looks pretty good (though now having written that, it'll change a la Murphy.

Check in tomorrow! One thing is for certain - everything changes!

Karina on a training ride

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Up and Down (a poem by Karina)

We set out together, just the two of us
We planned to travel long and far
To new amazing places, and old crumbling ruins,
The rough times will come, where we fight and bicker,
And there will undoubtedly be easy days as well, where we are calm and civilized.
It will take some time that we don't have, and use up all of our extra time as well
Leaving no time to play,
But it will be worth it.

Hey

OK, so it's Friday night, home from work, a pile of camping gear to go through, clean and pack up. Clothes to arrange and lots of paper organization to get to.

Karina has finished her school for the year (both happy and sad). This coming week becomes all about the trip, so she is having some down time for a couple of days. She is so much more well adjusted than I was at 13, maybe even more well adjusted, period.

I head to the library again tomorrow to hit the cd collection there. Trying to max out the selections for the summer; we need a soundtrack!

Our rides have been good, but they are only the tip of the iceberg. The first week is going to be the real wake up call for us both! But, fear not, I am packing tylenol and chocolate!

2 kids

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something new

This is a test to see if I can figure out how to use this application! Hold onto your cards!

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