little falls, new york

Erie Canalway Trail near Little Falls, New York

 Day 53. We pedaled 65.14 miles from Canastota, New York to Little Falls, New York. Tomorrow, we head east toward Albany. It was another day on the Erie Canalway Trail and much like the other days on the trail. . . but without rain. 

We stopped at a pharmacy in Rome and stopped for lunch in the SnackWagon in Utica. The breaks are much needed and much appreciated as well. It's fun to sit around with everyone and go over the ride, what we've seen, and where we're going to meet next. Sometimes our breaks take longer than others and, from time to time, we have included a nap in something air-conditioned and with soft seats. Our lunches have ranged from turkey and PB&J sandwiches in the SnackWagon to Arby's, McDonald's, and we did find one Chick-fil-A in Grand Forks, North Dakota. I don't think we've lost any weight, that's for sure. I've heard that a bird can eat up to eight times its weight in food every day. Think about that next time you tell someone, "You eat like a bird." Well, we've been eating like birds.

We are now at 3,259.05 miles pedaled with approximately 455 to go. Yep, WE ARE UNDER 500 and headed east! As we get closer to the Atlantic, the excitement rises and so does the anticipation of feeling the Atlantic Ocean tickle our bare feet.

Tomorrow, Lord willing, we finish our miles on the Erie Canalway Trail. Saturday is a rest day and Sunday . . . on to the Adventure Cycling route to Maine! We will pedal out of Ticonderoga, New York in the morning and head to our finish at Rockport, Maine. I think we have about five or six more days of pedaling to go. We also have a little climbing to do in the mountains as well but at least they are not like the Rockies and the Cascades. We should, by this time, be in a little bit better shape than when we were out in the Northwest seven weeks ago. It's been a long ride.

It's been a great ride but that doesn't mean it's been an easy ride. Mountains, of course require a bit of extra energy. The wind can be unmerciful in your face and an eagle at your back as it pushes you through the countryside at twenty-four miles an hour. Rain! Yep, we've had it in all shapes, sizes, and from all directions. We've had snow, sleet, and fog. We've only been chased by three dogs the whole trip and they were all at the same house out west. Then there's always cars and trucks and I will say, we've been passed by mostly very kind and careful drivers. (Truck drivers are the best drivers out there when it came down to respect for those of us pedaling on two wheels.) Cities gave us some mazes to pedal but, once again, even on the busiest streets of the few cities we've navigated, drivers were kind, courteous, and careful. All of that sounds a bit like life in general to me. There will always be mountains, winds, storms, mazes, and even dogs. The great thing for us is that we've got the way to navigate successfully through life. We've got a roadmap in the pages of the Bible and a Father who cares where we're traveling and what we're traveling through. So when the going gets tough and you want to throw in the towel and quit, go to the Map and the Maker of the Map and keep on keeping on. It will be worth the trip when you get to the finish. Proverbs 3:5-6 says it something like this:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.

If you don't know where you're going, any road will get your there. Follow the Way.

3,259.05/approximately 455

Yep, UNDER 500!