The bike is good project began life in 2011 as a transcontinental bicycle adventure. As we pedalled from Seattle to Boston it grew into something even bigger. Life from the bike became life as we knew it, a way of engaging with the world that was much richer and honest than we had previously known. On our return to Australia we have tried to continue in the b.i.g. spirit, still happiest pedalling!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Day 103 Port Ontario to Boonville

Kerstin described today as "a glorious bastard!" and she is right. Knowing we had some climbing ahead of us we started the day with a home cooked breakfast, for very little dosh we enjoyed homemade bread and some of the best homefries of the trip. Fueled up we said farewell to the great lakes and headed east towards the Adirondack Mountains.


With the wind against us we were quickly shedding layers under the warmth of some autumn sunshine. As we painfully gained altitude the scenery became more and more beautiful. Here the trees are turning, in all stages of colour between lime green and deep purple, the leaves gently float down around us, and the wind makes them rattle and skitter around us. We are amused by the road sign warning of horse and carriage.


But we quickly discover why when we pass on the road two such horse and carriages, one driven by a young Amish man with a cheerful smile and wave, the other by an Amish mother and daughter, who shyly nod at us at we tootle in the opposite direction. The locals are harvesting apples and pumpkins, all ready for halloween!


The day grows longer, the hills keep coming, and the road conditions worsen as we approach Boonville. The weatherman predicts 100% chance of rain and thunderstorms tonight, we decide to skip the campground for a cheap motel and a laundromat. But this may prove to be the one instance that I cannot enjoy a hotel room, as this one seems to be infested with fleas, disgusting! Luckily we still have some of our industrial strength insect repellent left which seems to be as effective against fleas as it was against Montanas mosquitos. And the prospect of clean clothes and wifi is enough to make me smile again. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

5 comments:

  1. FrancesSeptember 20, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    The Autumn scenery - or should I say Fall for you guys over there - seems as spectacular as my Aunt told me when she went to the US. So many colours and variety of towns to experience. Audrey and Mrs Robinson have held up well and they will look forward to being packaged to come home. Tash well and totally goat curious. She loves the new paddock and finishes each walk with a jump in the dam, that is all, not a swim or a frollic, just one jump in and then straight out. Still waiting for the real warmth, as the temp dips after a few glorious days. Keep well

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  2. AnonymousSeptember 20, 2011 at 9:05 PM

    Getting so close, I wish we could all be there when you both roll in, just to stop traffic with a huge banner of congrats. Is it silly that Im excited for you lol....

    Jac

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  3. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2011 at 10:17 PM

    Congratulations already, you have surmounted all things in your path so far. You have proven your resiliance. Louise your fluent descriptions of places and emotions animated the tale. It has been wonderful to share your journey from the comfort of my office. Distance has warded off the anxiety of an aunt for her neices. All our love Brenda and Harry

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  4. Jackie and LizSeptember 24, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    Sooooo glad you are seeing some of those autumn colors in the Adirondacks...the best autumn colors I have ever seen!!! Breathtaking, I think. And you are experiencing the build-up to Halloween (with the pumpkins)! Yaaaaaay!

    JD

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  5. KimSeptember 24, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    And so the days go.................

    ReplyDelete

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