Lunch break, 25 miles so far today. No canal monster siting yet.
Location : Canalway Trail- Erie Canal Heritage Trail, Pittsford, NY 14534,
Saturday, August 07, 2010
Pittsford, NY
Lunch break, 25 miles so far today. No canal monster siting yet.
Location : Canalway Trail- Erie Canal Heritage Trail, Pittsford, NY 14534,
Friday, August 06, 2010
Squid on Wheels: Riding the Erie Canal Day 3
Lockport to Brockport.
(Pictures are slowing uploading from my phone to the Erie Canal album.)
We started out the day with a very nice breakfast at our Inn in Lockport and then took off on the trail. Most of today's ride was off-road, on stone dust path along the Canal We saw many, many lift bridges -- these bridges sit very close to the canal and lift whenever a boat comes by. Each of them has an operator who listens to the radio, waiting for boats to arrive. While eating lunch in Albion, we got to see our first bridge lifting and then saw another a few towns later.
The day was fairly uneventful, with a clear and sunny sky and nice cool temps.
In Holley, we made a short detour to see a very nice waterfall and in Brockport, where we are spending the night, we walked around the waterfront and got some really good ice cream.
Time to get some shut eye and prepare for the ride to Palmyra in the morning. Squidette has already scrutinized the map and figured out where the bathrooms and port-a-potties should be located. Lunch, I think, will be in Rochester.
Total miles for the day: 47
Total miles for the journey: 85
(Pictures are slowing uploading from my phone to the Erie Canal album.)
We started out the day with a very nice breakfast at our Inn in Lockport and then took off on the trail. Most of today's ride was off-road, on stone dust path along the Canal We saw many, many lift bridges -- these bridges sit very close to the canal and lift whenever a boat comes by. Each of them has an operator who listens to the radio, waiting for boats to arrive. While eating lunch in Albion, we got to see our first bridge lifting and then saw another a few towns later.
The day was fairly uneventful, with a clear and sunny sky and nice cool temps.
In Holley, we made a short detour to see a very nice waterfall and in Brockport, where we are spending the night, we walked around the waterfront and got some really good ice cream.
Time to get some shut eye and prepare for the ride to Palmyra in the morning. Squidette has already scrutinized the map and figured out where the bathrooms and port-a-potties should be located. Lunch, I think, will be in Rochester.
Total miles for the day: 47
Total miles for the journey: 85
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Squid on Wheels: Riding the Erie Canal Days 1 and 2
This is one of those rare vacation posts that is actually being written on a computer. We brought a single netbook with us so each of us has a very limited amount of time on it -- hence the very short, single picture posts that you have seen so far. Those are coming from my phone.
If you wish to see even more vacation photos, keep an eye on this album. Most of today's and yesterday's photos uploaded to the July 2010 album, but the rest will go directly to this Erie Canal album.
Yesterday we boarded a 7 am train from Penn Station to Toronto. We disembarked at Niagara Falls, Ontario and not Lake Huron, MI as one of my blog posts may have led you to believe. (Technology sometimes fails me as it did with geotagging that photo and again when I tried to get the weather and it still thought I was in Michigan.)
The train ride was relatively uneventful. We read our books, I knit my sock (just have to kitchener the toe tonight) and just generally hung out. Getting on the train. Now that was an adventure! But an adventure to be told another day.
After what seemed to be a very long wait for Customs to clear the train, we finally got out, unfolded our bikes and rode all of a quarter mile from the train station to our hotel. Yes, I chose our lodgings based on proximity to the train station.
Settling in, we hopped on the hotel shuttle to downtown, had a quick meal and then walked over to the falls. If you haven't seen them, my photos cannot possibly do them justice -- but their not bad (they are in this folder).
We gawked at the Falls for quite a while and then made our way back to the hotel for the night.
This morning we left the hotel all kitted out in our yellow jerseys and rode from Niagara Falls, across the Rainbow Bridge to Tonawanda, New York. Tonawanda is famous for ... well I really don't know. But it has a neat carosel museum and is home of Wurletzer Organs. It also is home to Lou's, a very nice diner type place with good, solid food and very nice folks.
From Tonawanda we rode along the Canal Trail, both on and off road, to Lockport, from where I am writing this post. Lockport boasts the only 5 step, paired set of locks. Only one of the original 5 flights still exists but does not function any more. The other side was replaced with a two step set of locks which we had the pleasure of watching operate.
We are currently ensconced in Hambleton House, a lovely Bed and Breakfast. Tomorrow we will cycle on to Brockport.
Today's mileage: 37
If you wish to see even more vacation photos, keep an eye on this album. Most of today's and yesterday's photos uploaded to the July 2010 album, but the rest will go directly to this Erie Canal album.
Yesterday we boarded a 7 am train from Penn Station to Toronto. We disembarked at Niagara Falls, Ontario and not Lake Huron, MI as one of my blog posts may have led you to believe. (Technology sometimes fails me as it did with geotagging that photo and again when I tried to get the weather and it still thought I was in Michigan.)
The train ride was relatively uneventful. We read our books, I knit my sock (just have to kitchener the toe tonight) and just generally hung out. Getting on the train. Now that was an adventure! But an adventure to be told another day.
After what seemed to be a very long wait for Customs to clear the train, we finally got out, unfolded our bikes and rode all of a quarter mile from the train station to our hotel. Yes, I chose our lodgings based on proximity to the train station.
Settling in, we hopped on the hotel shuttle to downtown, had a quick meal and then walked over to the falls. If you haven't seen them, my photos cannot possibly do them justice -- but their not bad (they are in this folder).
We gawked at the Falls for quite a while and then made our way back to the hotel for the night.
This morning we left the hotel all kitted out in our yellow jerseys and rode from Niagara Falls, across the Rainbow Bridge to Tonawanda, New York. Tonawanda is famous for ... well I really don't know. But it has a neat carosel museum and is home of Wurletzer Organs. It also is home to Lou's, a very nice diner type place with good, solid food and very nice folks.
From Tonawanda we rode along the Canal Trail, both on and off road, to Lockport, from where I am writing this post. Lockport boasts the only 5 step, paired set of locks. Only one of the original 5 flights still exists but does not function any more. The other side was replaced with a two step set of locks which we had the pleasure of watching operate.
We are currently ensconced in Hambleton House, a lovely Bed and Breakfast. Tomorrow we will cycle on to Brockport.
Today's mileage: 37
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Erie Adventure Day One
Horseshoe Falls
Since I am blogging from my phone this will be short.
The train ride was long but uneventful.
We found the hotel easily and then took the hotel shuttle down to the falls area.
Awesome!
Tomorrow, we start riding the erie canal.
Then a long walk back to the hotel and now to sleep.
Tomorrow, we start riding the canal.
Location : Port Huron, MI,
On our way!
On the Amtrak Maple Leaf heading to Niagara Falls, (Ontario). The plan? Ride our bikes along the Erie Canal to Albany.
Location : Hudson River Greenway, New York, NY 10027,
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Ten on Tuesday
I do not usually do this but today's Ten on Tuesday fits perfectly!
Ten Things to Bring on Vacation:
1. Bike Shorts -- standard black with good padding. (Pearl Izumi for the gals and Mike, Performance for Little Squid.)
2. Bike Jerseys -- Velowear in yellow and red with our Squid on Wheels logo ironed on. (Velowear is not our favorite but is the only brand easily and inexpensively obtainable in four different sizes at once.)
3. Knitting -- socks for this trip -- enough yarn for 3 pair. Yes, I am overly fearful of having too much knitting time.
4. Geocaching swag (mini socks for us)
5. Maps, guide books and more maps
6. Nuun! (and the water bottles to go with it)
7. Ebooks! Lots of books in a very compact package. No fear of running out of reading material on this trip.
8. Easily schelped games for summer evenings -- Quiddler and Set.
9. Folding Bicycles. Can't have a bike trip without the bikes.
10. The rest of the family. 'Cause it just wouldn't be as much fun without them!
Ten Things to Bring on Vacation:
1. Bike Shorts -- standard black with good padding. (Pearl Izumi for the gals and Mike, Performance for Little Squid.)
2. Bike Jerseys -- Velowear in yellow and red with our Squid on Wheels logo ironed on. (Velowear is not our favorite but is the only brand easily and inexpensively obtainable in four different sizes at once.)
3. Knitting -- socks for this trip -- enough yarn for 3 pair. Yes, I am overly fearful of having too much knitting time.
4. Geocaching swag (mini socks for us)
5. Maps, guide books and more maps
6. Nuun! (and the water bottles to go with it)
7. Ebooks! Lots of books in a very compact package. No fear of running out of reading material on this trip.
8. Easily schelped games for summer evenings -- Quiddler and Set.
9. Folding Bicycles. Can't have a bike trip without the bikes.
10. The rest of the family. 'Cause it just wouldn't be as much fun without them!
Monday, August 02, 2010
No Cycling Miles but some Knitting
No miles today but lots of packing and a little knitting.
Several weeks ago I started a Pi Shawl using some pretty purple-grey handspun. My goal was to just knit and knit until the yarn ran out. When I started what I thought would be the last round before the edging, I started racing the yarn. You know (at least the knitters do), knitting faster and faster in hopes of getting to the end of the row before running out of yarn.
I was doing this while sitting on a bed in a hotel in Pittsburgh. On the other bed was my sister, frantically crocheting as if her life depended on it, trying to finish a baby blanket before our nephew's bris the next day.
When I got to the end of the row, I had about 18 inches worth of yarn left. Phew!
My sister finished her crocheting about the same time and, it an act of true sisterhood, I helped her hide the ends.
The next morning I started the edging. And the same scenario (the yarn race) played itself out yesterday as I did the laundry. This time I lost with several inches of edging still to be knit.
Did I lose it? Did I throw a tantrum? No, I calmly (really) took a smaller needle and started reknitting the edging from the dangling end. I'm really hoping that this works!
If you came here today looking for miles, come back on Thursday.
Several weeks ago I started a Pi Shawl using some pretty purple-grey handspun. My goal was to just knit and knit until the yarn ran out. When I started what I thought would be the last round before the edging, I started racing the yarn. You know (at least the knitters do), knitting faster and faster in hopes of getting to the end of the row before running out of yarn.
I was doing this while sitting on a bed in a hotel in Pittsburgh. On the other bed was my sister, frantically crocheting as if her life depended on it, trying to finish a baby blanket before our nephew's bris the next day.
When I got to the end of the row, I had about 18 inches worth of yarn left. Phew!
My sister finished her crocheting about the same time and, it an act of true sisterhood, I helped her hide the ends.
The next morning I started the edging. And the same scenario (the yarn race) played itself out yesterday as I did the laundry. This time I lost with several inches of edging still to be knit.
Did I lose it? Did I throw a tantrum? No, I calmly (really) took a smaller needle and started reknitting the edging from the dangling end. I'm really hoping that this works!
If you came here today looking for miles, come back on Thursday.
Sunday, August 01, 2010
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Squid on Wheels: Guess our Mileage!
After taking a brief hiatus last year, the Squid on Wheels mileage contest is back!
Guess how many miles Squid on Wheels will ride for the period encompassing January 1, 2010 through October 31, 2010. Any mileage accumulated after October 31 will count in our totals but will not count for contest purposes. (We figure that the riding season (for the kids) really ends once outdoor temperatures stay below 60 degrees.)
Closest guess will get a package of goodies tailored specifically toward that person.
So far this year we have ridden 507 miles as a family. (The term family is defined as at least one adult and both kids on the counted ride -- the adults do far more mileage just commuting to work.) There are some Squidette-alone and Little Squid-alone miles that will be mashed together and added in once school begins.
Entries are due August 30 which means that you will really only have to guess our September and October mileage. Feel free to submit initial guesses and change them any time up until the deadline. I'm curious as to what people think we can do.
Starting tomorrow, I will post whenever we ride and what the mileage is so you can keep track if you so wish. We have some nice rides planned for the month of August so if you want to stay up to date, check back frequently. There will, hopefully, be lots of small posts with pictures from interesting locations sent from my phone. I will only post the mileage once a day though there may be several blog entries in a day. (Now you kind of know the reason for all the test posts over the last month.) Those of you who are Facebook friends will see different pictures and updates since posting the same picture to both is kind of silly.
Anyone wanting a slightly different take on these rides can check out Mike's blog.
Now to just decide what knitting to take on all these rides ...
Guess how many miles Squid on Wheels will ride for the period encompassing January 1, 2010 through October 31, 2010. Any mileage accumulated after October 31 will count in our totals but will not count for contest purposes. (We figure that the riding season (for the kids) really ends once outdoor temperatures stay below 60 degrees.)
Closest guess will get a package of goodies tailored specifically toward that person.
So far this year we have ridden 507 miles as a family. (The term family is defined as at least one adult and both kids on the counted ride -- the adults do far more mileage just commuting to work.) There are some Squidette-alone and Little Squid-alone miles that will be mashed together and added in once school begins.
Entries are due August 30 which means that you will really only have to guess our September and October mileage. Feel free to submit initial guesses and change them any time up until the deadline. I'm curious as to what people think we can do.
Starting tomorrow, I will post whenever we ride and what the mileage is so you can keep track if you so wish. We have some nice rides planned for the month of August so if you want to stay up to date, check back frequently. There will, hopefully, be lots of small posts with pictures from interesting locations sent from my phone. I will only post the mileage once a day though there may be several blog entries in a day. (Now you kind of know the reason for all the test posts over the last month.) Those of you who are Facebook friends will see different pictures and updates since posting the same picture to both is kind of silly.
Anyone wanting a slightly different take on these rides can check out Mike's blog.
Now to just decide what knitting to take on all these rides ...
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Super Mommy Strikes Again
When in doubt, take a step back, give up for a little while and then try again. Me.
That's kind of been one of my mottos for a while now but tonight proved the rule.
Little Squid has been frustrated by how quickly his bike GPS eats batteries. Basically, he has to replace them (rechargeables) before every ride or risk the gadget losing power before the end of the day. He's also been a little peeved that we always go with the mileage that Squidette has on her bike computer instead of what the rest of us display on our GPSs. So, to avoid the inevitable frustration on our upcoming bike trip, we offered to get him a bike computer just like Squidette. Less technology for our techo-geek but hopefully greater accuracy. He readily agreed and we ordered post-haste.
It arrived last night but we put off the installation until this evening, guaranteeing that we'd be under pressure to have it working by tomorrow's ride.
Mike futzed with it for about half an hour, then I joined him for another half hour.
Finally, I suggested that we just pack up the blasted thing and return it and go to our local bike shop, get what they suggested and have them install it.
Then I took a break.
And then I tried again.
And got it on the first shot.
I'm feeling a little smug right now ... where's the anvil that's about to fall on my head?
That's kind of been one of my mottos for a while now but tonight proved the rule.
Little Squid has been frustrated by how quickly his bike GPS eats batteries. Basically, he has to replace them (rechargeables) before every ride or risk the gadget losing power before the end of the day. He's also been a little peeved that we always go with the mileage that Squidette has on her bike computer instead of what the rest of us display on our GPSs. So, to avoid the inevitable frustration on our upcoming bike trip, we offered to get him a bike computer just like Squidette. Less technology for our techo-geek but hopefully greater accuracy. He readily agreed and we ordered post-haste.
It arrived last night but we put off the installation until this evening, guaranteeing that we'd be under pressure to have it working by tomorrow's ride.
Mike futzed with it for about half an hour, then I joined him for another half hour.
Finally, I suggested that we just pack up the blasted thing and return it and go to our local bike shop, get what they suggested and have them install it.
Then I took a break.
And then I tried again.
And got it on the first shot.
I'm feeling a little smug right now ... where's the anvil that's about to fall on my head?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)