Falling in Love with New York State

Descending a long hill on the way to Lake Placid.

Descending a long hill on the way to Lake Placid.

Ah, New York. What a great state. We absolutely will be back for more breathtaking outdoor fun. I suspect a month solely in the Adirondack Mountains would still feel fast and I’m positive we could spend an entire summer in the state no problemo.

Yesterday marked three months on the road and three weeks in the Empire State. I also realized we’ve spent half our cycling trip (46 days) in Montana and New York. Big states mixed with awesome scenery make for a wandering path and no hurry whatsoever. Our goal to slow down for our time in New England is panning out nicely!

A fallen leaf on the corner of an old, scratched dock.

A fallen leaf on the corner of an old, scratched dock.

Here are a few favorite shots from the last week pedaling through blazing red and orange trees with blue lakes twinkling in the fall sun. We’ve seen lots of day cyclists grinning away while ripping up and down the steep climbs. There are also huge numbers of canoes and kayaks on top of cars. I’d love to return to do some paddling or hit some mountain biking trails, which are apparently excellent. Then there’s hiking and running the Adirondack 46, all the peaks over 4,000’ that it seems everyone we talk to has on their bucket list.

Just a short post today before picture backlog sets in. Today is an exploring day in Burlington, Vermont after catching the ferry across Lake Champlain over from New York. The town has a great car-free walking area filled with smiling people, a gorgeous waterfront and bike path, mountain views and excellent food to boot. It feels like a sister city to Portland, Oregon. Next week we hit the coast and the end of our tour, which seems surreal at the moment. Barely 200 miles of pedaling remaining!

Happy Monday,

Dakota

Looking across the Atlantic with a view of Spain. Waiiiit a second, that's just Lake Champlain looking at Vermont.

Looking across the Atlantic with a view of Spain. Waiiiit a second, that’s just Lake Champlain looking at Vermont.

A kayaker on Blue Mountain Lake.

A kayaker on Blue Mountain Lake.

Chelsea crushes another hill with the fall colors cheering her on.

Chelsea crushes another hill with the fall colors cheering her on.

Fall colors reflected on a lake south of the town of Tupper Lake.

Fall colors reflected on a lake south of the town of Tupper Lake.

Two fisherman ply their skills in the early morning NE of Lake Placid.

Two fisherman ply their skills in the early morning NE of Lake Placid.

Fall colors peak through bare tree trunks.

Fall colors peak through bare tree trunks.

A nice view of Tupper Lake.

A nice view of Tupper Lake.

I made a friend! He doesn't talk much, but he is a great listener.

I made a friend! He doesn’t talk much, but he is a great listener.

Enjoying a lunch break on a lake.

Enjoying a lunch break on a lake.

Sunset looking across Lake Champlain after our ferry ride from New York to Vermont. As a new friend in NY joked, "what's the best thing about Vermont? The view of New York!"

Sunset looking across Lake Champlain after our ferry ride from New York to Vermont. As a new friend in NY joked, “what’s the best thing about Vermont? The view of New York!”

6 replies
  1. Jim
    Jim says:

    Your blog passed on to me by Ithaca friends. I live in the Finger Lakes ….wonderful touring here…5 of us are leaving in a few minutes for 4 days of touring here. Yes NY is full of nice scenery. 12 of us will start the Lewis N Clark trail at Astoria next June..my 3rd time across the country. What a great way to have a little adventure. You are a gifted writer and photographer. Enjoy your last few days. In 08 we finished at the Rachel Carson Estuary Reserve near Wells ME. You have hit some exceptionally sunny, warm and dry weather. Best wishes for you both in the next chapter of your lives.

    Reply
  2. Dakota Gale
    Dakota Gale says:

    Hey Jim! Thanks a ton for the kudos. The pictures come easier than writing but they’re both fun.

    Your trips sound great! We were on part of the Lewis and Clark trail as part of this and liked it a lot. Keep on pedaling and let me know if you’re ever heading somewhere near where we are. This bike trip may be ending in Portland, but the traveling continues from there!

    Reply
  3. Alan Holom
    Alan Holom says:

    Awesome scenery. Great adventure! It’s amazing to see the difference that took place in just a week’s time! Canoeing and mountain biking are a must!!

    Reply
    • Dakota Gale
      Dakota Gale says:

      Those clear, cold nights made everything pop. Or maybe it was you zooming by at Mach 10 on your way through that scared color right into the leaves? Maybe we can converge on Mike’s place next fall for a big adventure!

      Reply

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