… the Erie Canal! It’s flat. 25.7 mi, 673 ft of climbing (most of that on bridges).

I left Charile’s and Barb’s about 8 as I knew storms were coming in the afternoon. Even though it was a short day, I wanted to get to Weedsport and the Red Roof Inn before the deluge started.

Most of my route was along the Erie Canal trail, and the most interesting thing about canal trails, is the history of how it was built and used. I started my day going back through Little Italy in Syracuse and heading for the Biscotti Cafe. It was closed! What good Italian baker closes on Saturday!? Oh well. I snapped a few photos of Little Italy as it is and headed to the trail.

48.7 miles, 1457 ft of climbing.

Finally! A tailwind! Made the day much easier. So much so that I added about 15 miles going to an alternate host in Syracuse that John recommended, and to a bike shop to get a rear view mirror replacement that I’ve been missing since before I left in July.

Nothing stellar view wise today, so a dearth of pics. I did go through Little Italy in Syracuse, but didn’t recognize it as such until I was at hosts Charlie’s & Barb’s and looked at a map. There was a Biscotti place (that I’m going to check out tomorrow on the way out of town), but other than that, the Italians weren’t a big presence.

I did stop a few times to correspond with my doc in State College about extending my Valtrex prescription. They sent a script to a local CVS and Charlie was kind enough to drive me there this evening so I could get back on it asap. I only missed a dose, but as the doc concurred, this close to the eye requires another week. Especially since I still have some redness and headache symptoms. Much abated, but still there.

38.4 miles, 1148 ft of climbing.

I missed Julie in the morning as she had left for a ride, but Marc had just returned from his and made me strong, strong coffee and a delicious and filling oatmeal with peanut butter, walnuts, sunflower seeds and more.

The weather report was rain after noon along my route, and since it was only 40 miles to my destination, leaving at 8 should have gotten me there. The weather was clear, too, and the sun was out. I was on US 11, NY Bike Route 11 for most of the ride, and it was mostly flat or gently rolling. About half way I noticed dark clouds building up. I was cresting the top of a hill when the rain started slowly. I ducked for cover at the only building in view and parked under the eaves which were almost enough to keep me and the bike dry. I knocked on the door but the only answer was a rather annoyed terrier barking and barring its teeth at the door.

75.2 miles, 3,459 ft of climbing.

Hard day for my first one back. It was supposed to be 68 miles, and 2500 ft of climbing, but a couple detours added miles and hills. The hills actually weren’t bad. No major climbs, mostly small hills, but lots of them, with a good deal of flat and downhills in between. It wasn’t the hills that made the day hard, but the constant headwind coming off of Lake Ontario. My original projection was to be to my hosts in Watertown (actually Black River) by 4:30, and I finally got there around 5:45.

Another “day off,” though I did ride into Potsdam in the morning to look around and get a better feel for the town. Most of the downtown storefronts are occupied with cool little shops — and it was refreshing to see that vs. the boarded up main streets of other small cities. I returned around noon, just before the rain hit. So nice to be somewhere dry and safe.

My eye/face is progressing and healing. I’m planning on riding tomorrow and trying my contacts for the first time in a week and a half.

The day John and I are parting ways. We had a great month together and I am sad to see it end so abruptly, but we are where we would have been a week hence anyway. Didn’t make it easier.

Jean Luc offered me a ride to the border and rather than tackling a 60 mile ride, I took him up on that. He dropped me at the Walmart where I spent my last 12.15$ CD on salad mixes and a couple candy bars. I would add a chocolate bar and ask the checkout girl what the total was. I had 10 cents left as I headed for the border.

A little late getting caught up, but I’ll get there in the next day or so. For good reasons, too: Well cared for and recovering in Potsdam.

25.6 miles, 651 ft of climbing (most of that was on a spiral cycle path over a bridge.

Both Lilie and Vincent left Saturday morning and left the apartment to us, again not an unusual experience in the Warm Showers network. Saturday was my Opthalmologist appointment I described earlier. That evening, John and I roamed the Verdun pedestrian mall and decided to eat Korean at Moa Moa (Moe-Moe). Great meal, and great sleep.

Shingles! Maybe in addition to Orbital Cellulitis, but doc yesterday didn’t think so. I have an appointment with an Ophthalmologist and hope to get an “everything’s OK” from him or her. I’m continually hopeful, but yesterday was a slog.

To back up a little, we left Lino’s on Wed evening and rode to the Jonquière train station. Our train was on time and we left at 10:50 pm. The train was comfortable enough itself and we had two seats that kind of made a bed, but the track network was pretty bumpy and lots of swaying. I didn’t have a good sleeping night (John, did. Jealous that he can sleep anywhere through just about anything!).

I gave in to prudence (and getting connected with some health insurance) and am boarding a train this evening to go to Montreal. Though I asked him to carry on, John is coming along, and I’m grateful for that change in his plans. He had designs on a rail trail north of Montreal and would have ended up there anyway. He flies out the 16th for Switzerland to continue touring, ending up with a sailing trip in Greece. I am hoping to be able to ride back home. I’m also hoping to get a followup tomorrow in Montreal and get a firm diagnosis. Orbital cellulitis is suspected, but the ER visit did stave off the worst symptoms of that. I can still see fine today and some of the swelling has lessened.

So, stay tuned for updates from Montreal tomorrow or Saturday. I have a Warm Showers outside of Montreal, and my friend Doris W. has arranged for lodging for me in Potsdam NY, her hometown. It’s a short drive from the border and her friend Jim has offered to pick me up in Massena after I cross over at Cornwall, ON. There are angels everywhere and I owe a debt to more than a few on this trip.

12.4 miles from Lino’s to the Jonquière train station, 751 ft of climbing.

0 miles, 0 ft of climbing. Errrr.

Well, prudence won out over the desire to press on. It’s a beautiful day here in Chicoutimi* and I’m writing this on Lino’s backyard porch after enjoying a handful of raspberries and gooseberries fresh from the bushes. Lino offered for us to stay here “as long as you need to.” He even drove me to the less-than-a-mile-away pharmacy today to pick up my prescriptions. Jean Coutu is the Quebecois equivalent of CVS and the people in the two I’ve been to have been very helpful and patient. The pharmacists and clerks spoke English and provided me with a walk-through of the meds; amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium orally and topical erythromycin for my eye.