Friday, June 23. West Webster, NY to Churchville, NY. Today felt like a play day, especially after yesterday's 70+ miles. We slept in and leisurely cycled down to Ontario Beach for the Rochester Harbor and Carousel Festival, arriving around noon. Two stages provided a choice of jazz or pop music, and we stopped at both. We also stopped to see the Buffalo Fire Department's 106-year-old fireboat--still in operation (in Buffalo). We got some great pictures from the festival; hopefully we can post them soon.
We met a local couple riding a tandem recumbent, and talked with them for a few minutes about riding in the area. They're avid cyclists--besides the recumbent, they each have mountain bikes, upright road bikes, and touring bikes. Cyclists can be funny that way. We're minimalists when we ride, but we're packrats when it comes to hoarding our cycling "stuff".
After lunch at the festival, we made our way to the Erie Canal and rode the canalway about 10 miles to Brockport--our mail stop. And what a mail pickup--2 packages of camp food (8 different meal items, plus various snacks)! Once we'd picked up our mail, we called Steve and Cheryl, MB's brother and sis-in-law. They live near Brockport in Churchville, and had graciously invited us to spend the night with them. We reached their house in about an hour.
And that's when the party started. Steve and Cheryl are warm, gracious hosts, and they and their daughter, Amanda, showed us a great time. We went to a renovated rail station for a great dinner (where I had strawberry soup). And even though we were all full, we didn't want to miss the ice cream tradition. In the Northeast, everyone celebrates everything by going to get ice cream. In cones, at the ice cream stand.
Lugia's offers cones in 5 sizes: baby, kiddie, small, medium and large. The small size is three huge scooops! We kept an eye out for a cone larger than small, but even the out-of-town guests of folks celebrating high school graduation had been warned that the portions are out of control.
After ice cream and the drive back to Churchville, it seemed only natural to open a bottle of dessert wine to finish off the evening. This area is well-known for its ice wine, and the Reisling selection that Steve opened was light and sweet. The conversation was lively and amiable, and it was after midnight before we said goodnight.
The next morning, I could smell the coffee when I awoke, and Steve had taken charge in the kitchen making us a full breakfast! More laughs and great conversation, and then we finally had to get on the road.
Thanks again, Valvanos! We couldn't have had asked for a more fun night, and we'd love to return the favor if you're ever in the Portland, OR area.
1 comment:
Time to up the ante on the poetry posts. Here's a sonnet:
The spirit of the pioneers lives on
And new adventures do await the pair
Who sell their home and take to open air
On bikes with BOBs and then, one day, have gone.
Each day they plan to cover fifty miles
And plan to camp as often as they can,
Tho’ circumstances sometimes thwart the plan;
But motel nights do not erase their smiles.
Across the fruited plain they’re heading west
Tho’ side trips often pull another way.
The pilgrimage they make is for today;
But who can say there’s not another quest?
This tour is just one rivulet of time;
What’s next decides the way to end the rhyme.
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