THE ERIE CANAL

Okay, the ERIE CANAL is longer than I thought it was. We've been riding alongside it for two days now, observing a little boat traffic from a rough recreational trail that runs alongside the water. The trail surface is extremely rough, and we got onto a road yesterday that was virtually unrideable. In fact, it probably was unrideable---but I was too stubborn to get off my bike and push it. I was rewarded this morning with an extremely low tire that I changed first thing. I couldn't find any problems with the tube, but since I changed the tire, I'm calling it a flat. That was the FIRST one I've had on this entire trip. That's remarkable.

We spent last night in a motel in MEDINA NY, and it was a very basic roadside place. Maybe a dozen rooms, no amenities to speak of except the roof. Although there was absolutely no visible proof of circulating air, there was a little note tacked to the wall inside that assured us that the room was being "comfortably maintained at 72 degrees". Unlikely!! I had a spare diet coke, and there was a little dorm-sized refrigerator in the room with a big padlock on it. I went to the front desk to ask how to open the refrigerator, and the clerk said it would cost an additional $2.17 to use the fridge! I burst out laughing and said, "You have *GOT* to be *KIDDING* me!", a la John McEnroe. Nope, he wasn't kidding. I decided to drink it hot this morning. As Kami said, "Welcome to New York!"

We are in BROCKPORT for lunch, and heading to the southeast side of ROCHESTER to spend the night tonight. We are having a really nice time, relishing the sights and sounds as we realize that this journey has an endpoint and it's not that far away from us now.