July 12 2023 Day Thirty Six

 July 12 – Lake Geneva NY – Day 36

 

I’m in one of the finger lakes in New York state, Lake Geneva and it is nothing like what I expected from a finger lake and nothing like its cousin in Wisconsin with the same name. Years ago, I stayed at one of the finger lakes Canandaigua and the city had some hopping bars that I had a great time visiting. This city, most of the bars in downtown are already closed and it’s only 10:15. I expected these lakes to have a lot of tourist action going on all night long, but apparently from the guy next to me at the bar, there’s a big difference between Lake Geneva and Lake Canandaigua that it would’ve been worth me making the 15-mile drive and staying there for the night. Oh well, the people at this bar are friendly and the bartender is nice to look at. 

 

It's only Wednesday and I decide it probably a better idea to leave today since this NE weather is calling for more rain Thursday that I figured I’d get a dry day to make the 5-hour trip from Chocorua Lake to at least Albany since the roads are the back curvy fun roads to ride. Well, according to Siri, she had to map out a different route than the one I took here since some of the Vermont cities that I rode thru the other day were flooded from the rain the last few days. Apparently, the entire NE area is getting more rain than they got from tropical storm Irene year ago that cities are flooded even though they weren’t when I rode them. 

 

Oh, and I was expecting a dry ride today, but that didn’t last, but first thing first. I might’ve had better timing and missed a few of the storms that hit the area, but I got nailed doing the speedway the way l like to ride them. I had my cruise set close to 90 and I did notice a car that looked like a state patrol vehicle, the antenna and all, but I usually look at the plates, but this one didn’t have any such plates that I figured instead of slowing down, I’ll just keep the cruise set. And the other thing he was in the left lane, so I passed him on the right and should’ve even thought about that as a clue that maybe it wasn’t just a car, but a trooper car. Well, it wasn’t too far that I notice the lights on and even though the semi in front of me started to slow down, I guess it was me that he was after. He turned out to be a good guy and he said he clocked me at 87 in a 70 so would have to give me a ticket. He did reduce it a bit and gave me a ticket for doing 80 in a 70 and did say to me that since I wasn’t acting like a jerk and seemed to be a decent guy just trying to get somewhere I should watch my speed. 

 

Now with the dry day, it wasn’t long after I got off the New Hampshire freeway on the curvy roads that I started to hit rain. In the middle of know where and it really started coming down that I pulled over on a very small two-lane road with no shoulder to really park on. I was worried about the bike not sitting on the kick stand the way I wanted, but I just had to get into the trees to stay dry. After the rain let up a little, I tried to check my weather map and it looked like more rain ahead, that I put the rain gear on for any further ride. Oh, and did I mention I also needed gas and again was in the middle of know where that I wasn’t sure whether I’d make it or not. 

 

Ok, time for a break because I am visiting with Victor and Signe both from Denmark who are trying to get to Duluth MN for a wedding next weekend. I was trying to help them out with directions and was suggesting the Lake Express ferry from Muskegon MI to Milwaukee to avoid the drive around Chicago, but they have already had New York style pizza, that after a bit more talking, I eventually did say if you are trying to see what Chicago is like, then visit it and have the Chicago Deep dish. I had a great time visiting with them and both in the IT field, Victor as a Software Engineer and Signe as a communication specialist. I did bring up curling, but the sport Denmark is really known for is hand ball, I wasn’t quite sure what it was until I looked it up. A great couple and hope they get to experience more of the states and more return trips to see other parts of the country; while Denmark will remain a country I hope to visit someday.

 

Now back to today’s trip and I am trying to figure out why Siri is taking me thru Massachusetts thinking it’s to take me away from the rain that I keep driving into it. Oh yeah, the other roads thru Vermont are flooded that I guess a few slow roads to more freeways maybe aren’t so bad after all. I had checked the Albany weather the other day and it was supposed to be sunny and warm today, but I guess I get more rain just like I had to drive on the way here a few days ago. All I kept thinking is how bad the rain has been with this trip to NH, that it must be payback for doing an entire month with little to no rain. In comparison I put on the rain gear for the month of June, none, whereas I’ve had the rain gear on almost every day I’ve ridden thru NY, VT, NH and MA. It wasn’t until I finally got past Albany that the sun came out and I could finally get rid of the rain great that I could push it and make Buffalo by 9:30, but I decided let’s see what Lake Geneva, a finger lake is like compared to the others and whether anything like Lake Geneva Wisconsin, ok, my analysis is next time I drive the extra 15 miles. 

 

Oh, and I missed what happened this morning. I got to sleep in since I thought 5 hours to Albany on a sunny day that I have no need to get going early. Had fun with all the girls and Chris last night that I just figured if I get going by noon that will put me at least close to Buffalo. I guess an earlier start would’ve put me into Buffalo tonight that I could’ve spent some time going thru Niagara falls, that we’ll have to figure out what’s what tomorrow. 

 

Ok pause, how much more of the days that I did spend at Chocorua lakes do I write about and count since I won’t necessarily remember all of my accomplishments, thoughts or visits that I’ll be able to write about and whether I want to since I was on vacation and not sure if there is a need to know my daily schedule.