Ontario on a Whim
Friday:
Leaving work and sitting in I-66 usually looks just like this for an hour until past Gainesville. I have no clue how folks can do this each and every day!?!
Once out of the traffic, life was good. Stopped in at High on the Hog BBQ in Sperryville for a sandwich. I almost choked when she told me it'd be $9! That is craziness. it was good but not $9 good. I won't be returning.
The view of Masanutten Mountain and the River from this rise is one of my favorite views of the South Branch of the Potomac.
Made it to the BWDR cabin just as the sun was setting. Hung out with Bloochdog, Macorell24 and Gastone overnight until morning.
Saturday:
The fog hung low on the river surface
I cruised outta camp early before 6 and made my way NW through the valley.
The apple blossoms up near Gore, VA
second or third U-turn of the day for this shot :evil
En route to Paw Paw
Went for a short walk on the C&O canal to the Paw Paw Tunnel
From here, I checked out the GPS and noticed the Green Ridge State Forest was just to my NW. That seemed like a neat place to check out with those ridgeline roads so I went exploring through there. It was wet from the recent rains but there was nobody around.
At one point on the ridge road I passed a slow-moving car. A minute or two later I looked over my left shoulder to discover I failed to secure my case lid and it was sitting WIDE OPEN. The only casualty was a half eaten bag of chips that disappeared. I picked up some trash later in the day to sorta make up for my mistake. Woops.
Twists and turns looking for ramps :nod
Continuing north of Green Ridge into PA is a nice ridgeline road that travels for miles in the NE direction
What a classic
Any road with grass growing in the center is worth a visit in my book...even if it is a dead end that the GPS doesn't know about
I saw Alan up on the hill and waved while taking this shot. He waved back :wave
Spotted this neat Ural in the town of Everett
Fruit trees in bloom
My impromptu destination was the Elk Viewing area in PA.
SEEN IT
What are YOU looking at!?
I went searching for Elk but found none :cry maybe another trip in the future is in order
I made a break at this roadside spring to fill my camelback and change out of the long johns and layers underneath my riding gear. Much cooler, I resumed my trip. Where to go...?
Cruising up along the beautiful rivers and mountains of Northern PA
Spotted these deer. Unfortunately they spotted me and crossed the river :huh
Ramp Success just near the NY border
Picking and a-munchin on some ramps. Way better than gum when nobody else has to smell your breath
and shortly thereafter...
With blue skies and plenty of daylight yet, I figured I'd continue riding north. Why the hell not.
One funky wind turbine...somewhere 20 mi west of Letchworth St. Park
Spotted this old Huey painting on the side of a shuttered bar and took a snap for pops. I think the artist came outside in the dark after a long night at the stool and worked on it :lol3
The height and angle of this church built out of local stone was impressive.
Ahh the Erie Canal...we meet again
Well I rode until I couldn't go any further. Lake Ontario...I made it.
The campgrounds were closed and nothing nearby seemed very busy. I was a month or two early for "the season" and it was still perceived as winter up there despite them not having had "real" winter in three or four years. I found someone's outdoor pavillion used in the warmer months. It had clearly not been used all winter and I thought they wouldn't be coming tonight this late. Home sweet home and a sunset.
I made a dinner of quinoa and garlic herb rice with tuna, some whiskey and a chocolate bar. Life is good. Bed comes early. The moon was bright.
Sunday:
The following morning I awoke before the sun, packed quickly and set out to roughly follow the lake. About three miles down the road, I rolled over a lucky number.
By chance I happened across the Shoe Tree once more. I made a visit here during my last trip along the lake shore.
Time for sunrise!!!
Just so I remember, I gather rocks from the various places I visit. I took one of these soft rocks to go with another from my last weekend trip.
CANADA!!!
A little illegal parking never hurt anyone...
Rainbow Bridge and it's stupid toll. Whatever...Canada here I come :D
Mini-Vegas as I like to call it.
This guy eye-raping my motorbike while I sit in Timmy-Ho's and have coffee and a doughnut.
Them-thar's big buildings
and space needles
Wimpy US Side :thumb
Almost brought this home for Mom.
Heading back over the bridge. The customs official asked the nature of my visit: "To get some coffee and a donut from Timmy Ho's" He asked me again...then chuckled. "You drove all the way from Virginia for a doughnut!?" :nod
The industrial wasteland of the Erie lakeshore near Buffalo was sad, desolate and made me curious for what the future may hold. What massive industry and commerce will be obsolete in my lifetime?
Other ways to Canada
Skew Arch. This thing was cool. Check out the shape of the bricks and how it curves through the tunnel.
Hanging out in a cemetery...you know how I roll.
Oh deer
Yup. Up North.
Moving on back toward home, the skies began to look ominous. I received a text message from Dr. Beard who was heading to NY at the same time I was heading home. It read: "You're going to get wet". He was in a car so I replied "You won't" :lol3
HELL YEAH - THE FUN STUFF!!!!
Gas country
Riding an old railroad track
Things got a bit muddier and squirrely
then they just became insurmountable
Folks, I present to you Kinzau Bridge. It was knocked down during a microburst thunderstorm a few years ago. There is a park here I just didn't know it was on the other side that was paved. This was decidedly much more fun :nod
After retreating due to rain and having taken too many dang pictures...I came across this little bridge and a road to nowhere. I wonder where it once led.
Temps plummeted into the 40's and the skies opened up. I just set the GPS for home with shortest distance/no highway and let the good times roll. This couple on a Harley were riding at a quick pace with no helmet or gloves on through wet mountain roads and hard to see centerlines. Crazy.
hours of this :nod
Around 6PM, I was pretty chilly and the constant 20mph wind was not helping matters. I sought shelter in a carwash to make a cup of Chipotle Rosa Pasta for dinner. Unfortunately the wind shifted and was blowing straight through the stalls of the car wash. Fuck it. Man up and make some dinner.
Warmed slightly from the meal in my belly, I set out again into the cold and wet mountains.
Spotted a ghost on this tree.
It grew darker as I approached 270. It was time to beat feet home after hours of riding and cold/wet conditions.
Hell of a weekend. Canada on a whim.
