Long Lake, NY to Ticonderoga, NY 64 Miles July 22

Mary Ellen got up at 4:30 AM to visit with us while we ate breakfast. Then we pedaled off into a foggy day. We continued the hills, but the most dreaded steep ones did not materialize. We had a celebratory moment when we crossed the Hudson River, we are getting so close to our goal now.

After much climbing Carol and I stopped at Jellystone Park Camp to take a lunch break. We met a delivery truck driver who described our road to Ticonderoga, with a big grin as "hilly, windy and steep". He enthusiastically asked many questions about our trip and even offered to transport our bikes in the truck because he had finished his delivery. It was tempting, but we are too close to cut corners now.

We had a beautiful ride into Ticonderoga, our last town in New York. Again, the climbs were overrated and we completed 64 miles feeling great. We stopped at the store to replace some run down batteries. As I was sitting outside I talked to 85 year old "Little Pat", visiting Ticonderoga from Long Island, NY. She was so touched by our journey that she gave us a cash donation on the spot. I was touched too. She wouldn't have her picture taken, but did ask us to put her name on the blog.

Ticonderoga is the end of the Adirondacks on the border of New York and Vermont. It is the first of what I would describe as a New England town. It is built in the middle of green hills and from above you see the view of the central town with church steeples.

We rode into Ticonderoga and called St. Mary's Catholic Church. Pastor Scott Tyler from the United Methodist Church returned our call and offered us a donated room at the Circle Court Motel. These are the gifts that materialize for us every day.

We had the most delicious dinner at Gourmet Gal Restaurant. As I said, another example of typical New York high style. This is our last night in New York. We have met and been taken care of by such special people as well as being able to ride on well maintained roads. Thank you again, New York.