OUR TRIP THROUGH UPSTATE N.Y. and NEW ENGLAND

We rode out of West Central Ohio on August 10th, riding east on US 30.  Our first overnight would be in Jamestown, N.Y.;   about a 6 hour ride.  It was there we met up with “In the wind” forum member, guitar player Majicbringer, his wife Michelle, and lovely daughter Heather.  I know, “Where are the pics?”

The next day we rode 4 hours to Rochester, N.Y. where we spent two days/nights with my sister and her family; always an experience to say the very least. I’m a grand uncle for the fourth time.

 Meet Jack and Sophia   

 

South out of Rochester to US 20E, we rode towards Syracuse, N.Y. taking in the scenery of the Finger Lake region.  South of Syracuse we rode north on Rte 11 towards Watertown but only managed to travel a few miles north of Syracuse due to the threat of heavy rain.  Our riding experience this day was also aggravated by traffic volume.  That and storms were the determining factors for calling it a day after only 4 hours “in the wind”.

We escaped the rain but a good deal of the ride looked this way.......

The next day we headed towards Oswego to begin following the coastline along Lake Ontario toward the Thousand Islands at Alexandria Bay. Along the way we happened upon the nuclear power plant at Nine Mile Point in Oswego; very eerie indeed.  We rode up to get a closer look at the tower but the security measures made sure we didn’t get too close.

                                                                                            

I can’t begin to describe how wonderfully picturesque the ride was on Rte 3 along Lake Ontario. Certainly any photos we took did not do it justice.  To stay on/near Lake Ontario’s east shoreline and avoid Watertown’s traffic we took Rte 12E to Cape Vincent and beyond.

                                                                                    

On to Alexandria Bay where we spent the day exploring the town.

         The Boldt Castle at Alexandrea Bay                              

We didn't take pictures of downtown; it was typical of tourist shops with goods made in China, Pakistan, etc.  But we did have to stop for a cold brew where Gypsy challenged me to a couple of games of pool            before we headed to our hotel for the evening.                                 

 

 

After a night’s stay in Alexandria Bay we continued on Rte 12 to where it joined Rte 37.  Again, it was magnificent along the St. Lawrence on into Massena and then south to Malone, N.Y.

 

                                                                                   

                                                                          

We spent the night in Malone, N.Y. just outside of town.  It was actually a bustling little burg.  It really wasn't too long a ride from Alexandria Bay but we made the most of the journey, taking our time and getting off the main route to check out the country side.  

From Malone we continued on Rte 30 south to Saranac Lake; again a typical tourist town.  But I envisioned what it must be like in the winter with all the ski bums and bunnies.   The ride was gorgeous.  The mountains are beautiful.  The cottages and cabins aren't glamorous but command decent dollars.

                                 

Welcome to the town of Saranac Lake 

                                                    

From Saranac to Lake Placid

                                                                                                         

On to Whiteface Mountain

              

 

We left New York state; crossing Lake Champlain near Port Henry N.Y.  It appeared to be a temporary ferry crossing as near as I could tell.  There was bridge repair or construction just north of our crossing into Willow Point, Vermont.   

 

         

 

 From Willow Point we followed Vt. St. RTE 125 east through the Green Mountain National Forest.  Again, pictures in no way capture the magnificence of the beauty that is New England.  And of course, we never take enough pictures.

 

                                       

125 E. to Hancock, Vt. we rode north on St. RTE 100.  It was either north or south on RTE 100 as there were no roads heading east from Hancock.  Our decision to ride north was just a coin toss that took us to RTE 1008 along the Mad River to Middlesex, Vt.  There we picked up a section I-9 to Rte 302 E.   RTE 302 went through some more beautiful country-side to Wells River, Vt. where we crossed the Connecticut River into New Hampshire and the White Mountain National Forest.  It was more beautiful than I ever imagined.

 

RTE 302 and RTE 12 run together through the White Mountains.  The Kancamagus Highway (Rte 12) was a special treat.  One of the ‘must see’ destinations on our trip was the Kancamagus; a place highly recommended by a friend of mine who once lived in that area.  Thank you brother Gene so much.

 

We followed RTE 302/12 across the state through the mountains to Fryeburg, Maine.  We actually followed RTE 302 all the way to Portland, Me.  Those particular miles were not near as pleasant as riding through New Hampshire.  But we did pick up Highway 1 and followed it up the east coast of Maine.  Naturally there is a great deal of “civilization” along Highway 1 but the population decreases the further north we rode.  All and all the journey to Maine from Ohio was just fantastic and I can definitely recommend to anyone to take that journey.

 

Heading down to Boston, Mass. to spend some time with a few friends was an exasperating trip.  I absolutely hate interstates and traffic but one has very little choice at times.