Lost with Mike
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    • The South >
      • Merchant's Millpond State Park, NC
      • BRP and a visit to Charlotte, NC
      • South Carolina and Back on my GS (2011)
      • Jaw-ja Trip #1 - Visiting my Nephew
      • Jaw-ja Trip #2 - Cousin's Wedding
      • "You rode 1300 miles for BBQ?!?" (2010)
    • Canada (eh) >
      • 2012 - Beards to Canada >
        • Day 1: Arlington, VA > Arlington, VT
        • Day 1-2 (Continued) Back to VA!!!
        • Day 3: Newburyport, NH > Sandy Cove, NS
        • Day 4: Loafing around "The Neck"
        • Day 5: Sandy Cove, NS to Antigonish, NS
        • Day 6: Antigonish, NS to Meat Cove, NS
        • Day 7: Meat Cove, NS to Port Aux Basques, NFL
        • Day 8: Port Aux Basques to Port Saunders
        • Day 9: Port Saunders to Big Brook
        • Day 10: Big Brook, NL to Trans Lab Hwy
        • Day 11: Trans Lab Hwy to Pinware River
        • Day 12: Pinware River, LAB to Norris Point, NL
        • Day 13: Norris Point to Blue Beach
        • Day 14: Blue Beach, NL to Port Aux Basques Ferry
        • Day 15: Sydney, NS to Sandy Cove, NS
        • Day 16: Chillin on the Digby Neck
        • Day 17: Sandy Cove, NS to No. Sandwich, NH
        • Day 18: Sandiwch, NH to Arlington, VA (Home)
      • Algonquin Park 2013 >
        • Day 1: Home to New York
        • Day 2: Chataugay State Forest to Brent, ON
        • Day 3: Brent, ON to Nipissing River Portage at Nadine Lake
        • Day 4: Nipissing River @ Nadine Lake Portage to first island in Red Pine Bay
        • Day 5: Red Pine Bay to Hogan’s Lake
        • Day 6: Hogan’s Lake to Catfish Lake
        • Day 7: Catfish Lake to Cedar Lake to Fredonia, NY
        • Day 8: Fredonia, NY to Brookville, PA
        • Day 9: Brookville, PA to Alexandria, VA
      • Think I'll ride to Montreal this weekend...
      • Ontario on a Whim
    • Maryland >
      • How to Hit a Tree, By ME!
      • Ruckus Stealth Camping in MD
      • Ruck'n around Southern MD
      • White's Ferry and some Maryland Backroads
      • 1000mi right near da' beach (2010)
    • New York >
      • Cornell, Niagara Falls and PA Coal Country (2012)
      • Finger Lakes trip to NY (2011)
      • New York City Trip (2011)
    • Pennsylvania >
      • Early Spring in PA
      • Michaux Camping
      • From a Wedding to "Where-da-fugawi?"
      • Pennsylvania Leaf Peeping (2012)
      • First Big Trip to PA (2010)
    • Virginia >
      • From the Mountains to the Sea in Ol' Virginny'
      • What the Fog? (Northern Neck, VA - 2013)
      • Uncle Bucks Ride to Eat and Snowy SNP
      • Charlottesville Area Ride
      • Serious Helmet Time in VA (2011)
      • Ruck'n Across Virginia (2010)
      • Impromptu Camping with 'DC Rider' (2010)
    • West Virginia >
      • Rella-Vous and Skippii Rescue
      • New River Gorge Ghost Town Exploration (2011)
      • Five States from Laurel Fork (Spring 2013)
      • A Little Dirt, A Little Clouds, A lotta Fun, WV (2012)
      • GS and an NSX? (2012)
      • Seneca Rocks Camping Two-Up (2011)
      • Panniers Only Club at Seneca Rocks, WV (2010)
      • Laurel Fork Fall 2010 on the Honda Ruckus 50cc (2010)
      • Dog Days Rally and Rella's Gift (2010)
      • Pops and Richmonders in WV (2010)
      • Rocket Boys (2010)
      • New River Gorge and Rella's (2010)
    • Cross Country 2009 >
      • Trip Preparation
      • Day 1: (Sept 3, 2010)
      • Day 2: (Sept 4, 2010)
      • Day 3: (Sept 5, 2010)
      • Day 4: (Sept 6, 2010)
      • Day 5: (Sept 7, 2010)
      • Day 6: (Sept 8, 2010)
      • Day 7: (Sept 9, 2010)
      • Day 8: (Sept 10, 2010)
      • Day 9: (Sept 11, 2010)
      • Day 10: (Sept 12, 2010)
      • Day 11: (Sept 13, 2010)
      • Day 12: (Sept 14, 2010)
      • Day 13: (Sept 15, 2010)
      • Day 14: (Sept 16, 2010)
      • Day 15: (Sept 17, 2010)
      • Day 16: (Sept 18, 2010)
      • Day 17: (Sept 19, 2010)
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Ontario on a Whim

6/7/2013

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!?!
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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.
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The view of Masanutten Mountain and the River from this rise is one of my favorite views of the South Branch of the Potomac.
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Made it to the BWDR cabin just as the sun was setting. Hung out with Bloochdog, Macorell24 and Gastone overnight until morning.
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Saturday:

The fog hung low on the river surface
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I cruised outta camp early before 6 and made my way NW through the valley.
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The apple blossoms up near Gore, VA
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second or third U-turn of the day for this shot :evil
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En route to Paw Paw
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Went for a short walk on the C&O canal to the Paw Paw Tunnel
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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.
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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.
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Twists and turns looking for ramps :nod
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Continuing north of Green Ridge into PA is a nice ridgeline road that travels for miles in the NE direction
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What a classic
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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
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I saw Alan up on the hill and waved while taking this shot. He waved back :wave
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Spotted this neat Ural in the town of Everett
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Fruit trees in bloom
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My impromptu destination was the Elk Viewing area in PA.
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SEEN IT
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What are YOU looking at!?
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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...?
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Cruising up along the beautiful rivers and mountains of Northern PA
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Spotted these deer. Unfortunately they spotted me and crossed the river :huh
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Ramp Success just near the NY border
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Picking and a-munchin on some ramps. Way better than gum when nobody else has to smell your breath
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and shortly thereafter...
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With blue skies and plenty of daylight yet, I figured I'd continue riding north. Why the hell not.
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One funky wind turbine...somewhere 20 mi west of Letchworth St. Park
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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
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The height and angle of this church built out of local stone was impressive.
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Ahh the Erie Canal...we meet again
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Well I rode until I couldn't go any further. Lake Ontario...I made it.
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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.
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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.
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By chance I happened across the Shoe Tree once more. I made a visit here during my last trip along the lake shore.
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Time for sunrise!!!
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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.
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CANADA!!!
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A little illegal parking never hurt anyone...
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Rainbow Bridge and it's stupid toll. Whatever...Canada here I come :D
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Mini-Vegas as I like to call it.
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This guy eye-raping my motorbike while I sit in Timmy-Ho's and have coffee and a doughnut.
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Them-thar's big buildings
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and space needles
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Wimpy US Side :thumb
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Almost brought this home for Mom.
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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
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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?
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Other ways to Canada
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Skew Arch. This thing was cool. Check out the shape of the bricks and how it curves through the tunnel.
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Hanging out in a cemetery...you know how I roll.
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Oh deer
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Yup. Up North.
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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
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HELL YEAH - THE FUN STUFF!!!!
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Gas country
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Riding an old railroad track
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Things got a bit muddier and squirrely
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then they just became insurmountable
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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
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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.
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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.
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hours of this :nod
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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.
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Warmed slightly from the meal in my belly, I set out again into the cold and wet mountains.
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Spotted a ghost on this tree.
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It grew darker as I approached 270. It was time to beat feet home after hours of riding and cold/wet conditions.
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Hell of a weekend. Canada on a whim.
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Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Scoot
  • Paddle
  • Pedal
  • Moto
    • The South >
      • Merchant's Millpond State Park, NC
      • BRP and a visit to Charlotte, NC
      • South Carolina and Back on my GS (2011)
      • Jaw-ja Trip #1 - Visiting my Nephew
      • Jaw-ja Trip #2 - Cousin's Wedding
      • "You rode 1300 miles for BBQ?!?" (2010)
    • Canada (eh) >
      • 2012 - Beards to Canada >
        • Day 1: Arlington, VA > Arlington, VT
        • Day 1-2 (Continued) Back to VA!!!
        • Day 3: Newburyport, NH > Sandy Cove, NS
        • Day 4: Loafing around "The Neck"
        • Day 5: Sandy Cove, NS to Antigonish, NS
        • Day 6: Antigonish, NS to Meat Cove, NS
        • Day 7: Meat Cove, NS to Port Aux Basques, NFL
        • Day 8: Port Aux Basques to Port Saunders
        • Day 9: Port Saunders to Big Brook
        • Day 10: Big Brook, NL to Trans Lab Hwy
        • Day 11: Trans Lab Hwy to Pinware River
        • Day 12: Pinware River, LAB to Norris Point, NL
        • Day 13: Norris Point to Blue Beach
        • Day 14: Blue Beach, NL to Port Aux Basques Ferry
        • Day 15: Sydney, NS to Sandy Cove, NS
        • Day 16: Chillin on the Digby Neck
        • Day 17: Sandy Cove, NS to No. Sandwich, NH
        • Day 18: Sandiwch, NH to Arlington, VA (Home)
      • Algonquin Park 2013 >
        • Day 1: Home to New York
        • Day 2: Chataugay State Forest to Brent, ON
        • Day 3: Brent, ON to Nipissing River Portage at Nadine Lake
        • Day 4: Nipissing River @ Nadine Lake Portage to first island in Red Pine Bay
        • Day 5: Red Pine Bay to Hogan’s Lake
        • Day 6: Hogan’s Lake to Catfish Lake
        • Day 7: Catfish Lake to Cedar Lake to Fredonia, NY
        • Day 8: Fredonia, NY to Brookville, PA
        • Day 9: Brookville, PA to Alexandria, VA
      • Think I'll ride to Montreal this weekend...
      • Ontario on a Whim
    • Maryland >
      • How to Hit a Tree, By ME!
      • Ruckus Stealth Camping in MD
      • Ruck'n around Southern MD
      • White's Ferry and some Maryland Backroads
      • 1000mi right near da' beach (2010)
    • New York >
      • Cornell, Niagara Falls and PA Coal Country (2012)
      • Finger Lakes trip to NY (2011)
      • New York City Trip (2011)
    • Pennsylvania >
      • Early Spring in PA
      • Michaux Camping
      • From a Wedding to "Where-da-fugawi?"
      • Pennsylvania Leaf Peeping (2012)
      • First Big Trip to PA (2010)
    • Virginia >
      • From the Mountains to the Sea in Ol' Virginny'
      • What the Fog? (Northern Neck, VA - 2013)
      • Uncle Bucks Ride to Eat and Snowy SNP
      • Charlottesville Area Ride
      • Serious Helmet Time in VA (2011)
      • Ruck'n Across Virginia (2010)
      • Impromptu Camping with 'DC Rider' (2010)
    • West Virginia >
      • Rella-Vous and Skippii Rescue
      • New River Gorge Ghost Town Exploration (2011)
      • Five States from Laurel Fork (Spring 2013)
      • A Little Dirt, A Little Clouds, A lotta Fun, WV (2012)
      • GS and an NSX? (2012)
      • Seneca Rocks Camping Two-Up (2011)
      • Panniers Only Club at Seneca Rocks, WV (2010)
      • Laurel Fork Fall 2010 on the Honda Ruckus 50cc (2010)
      • Dog Days Rally and Rella's Gift (2010)
      • Pops and Richmonders in WV (2010)
      • Rocket Boys (2010)
      • New River Gorge and Rella's (2010)
    • Cross Country 2009 >
      • Trip Preparation
      • Day 1: (Sept 3, 2010)
      • Day 2: (Sept 4, 2010)
      • Day 3: (Sept 5, 2010)
      • Day 4: (Sept 6, 2010)
      • Day 5: (Sept 7, 2010)
      • Day 6: (Sept 8, 2010)
      • Day 7: (Sept 9, 2010)
      • Day 8: (Sept 10, 2010)
      • Day 9: (Sept 11, 2010)
      • Day 10: (Sept 12, 2010)
      • Day 11: (Sept 13, 2010)
      • Day 12: (Sept 14, 2010)
      • Day 13: (Sept 15, 2010)
      • Day 14: (Sept 16, 2010)
      • Day 15: (Sept 17, 2010)
      • Day 16: (Sept 18, 2010)
      • Day 17: (Sept 19, 2010)
  • Photos
  • Articles