This morning we parted ways with Buffalo after an action packed weekend in New York's western metropolis. Karl's aunt and uncle provided us a very comfortable headquarters from which to launch our all-out assault against MS and get cleaned up a bit. Thanks to the neighbors across the street for feeding us twice, and for exposing us to the lesser-known associate of the Buffalo wing, the beef-on-weck sandwich. Nice try beef-on-weck, but you are no Buffalo wing. Like many other cities in the rust belt, Buffalo has experienced an exodus of jobs and population (about 500,000 to 280,000), but has retained many beautiful neighborhoods loaded with historic architecture. People in Buffalo love it here, and its contagious. Fortunately for us it hasn't started snowing yet, although last year the first major blizzard hit on Oct. 13th! We better get moving since we don't have snow chains.
Today Bike the US for MS experienced its first split as Karl and Devin ventured across the border to check out Niagara Falls, while Don and I headed back to the Erie County Home to visit with MS patients. It was a great compromise for all parties, and although I can't wait to visit this area again and see the falls, it was incredibly fulfilling to talk with people about their life with MS. They have genuine hope that a cure will be discovered one day, and the look in their eyes is the only thanks we need. If we hadn't done another single thing to benefit MS, our experience at the home would completely justify a bike ride from Seattle to Buffalo. Thanks to the administration and staff of the home for their hospitality, and especially to Paul Anthon for being the Man.
Tonight we camp in Gasport, NY, where we pick up a bike trail and head east for a few hundred miles into the Adirondacks and then into New England. We are excited to see the fall foliage and we hope to generate tons of organizational momentum for our collision with the mighty Atlantic. Anybody have a great idea as to how we could get our bikes from Bar Harbor to Boston without riding them?
Trivia du jour: What navigable waterway connects the Hudson River to the Great Lakes? And, given that the the Great Lakes are over 500 ft. above sea level, how do boats achieve this elevation gain?
4 comments:
I assume it's throughthe St. Lawrence seaway, and that the series of locks gets them to higher elevation.
Oops, hit the publish key too fast. Congratulations on exceeding 15%! The visit to the MS ptient home also sounds great. Glad you stopped there.
The Erie Canal.
Hi fellas,
The New York State Canal System(formerly the Erie Canal) connects the Hudson River to the Great Lakes. The boats traverse through a series of locks and dams to acheive the appropriate sea level, of course.Mary B
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