Kingston, NH to Copake, NY

We departed Dave and Sue's at 8:30 this morning.  It was a cool 54 degrees with overcast skies.  I was pleased that the rain had stopped.  We proceeded along our predetermined route for an hour or so and the next thing we knew we were "Welcomed" to Massachusetts!  Oops, no plan to travel in MA on this trip.  Let's just say that it took us over 3 hours to finally get out of NH and into Vermont.  We stopped at a scenic turn off on the top of Hogback Mt.

We were wondering if we had friends in the valley sending smoke signals for us to stop in so they could hop aboard for a ride south.

I just might need to go into the jigsaw puzzle business.  I would enjoy doing this one.

The bikes seemed to enjoy the view from the mountain top too. The ride through Vermont was everything you would expect. Mountains, 8% down grades, "trucks use your low gears" and just in case, we have provided you with a run-a-way truck ramp!!!  There were a couple of switchback curves but they were not tight so actually enjoyable.  There were lots of farm stands all with fresh corn (seems late for that), squash and lots and lots of pumpkins.

As you can see here the leaves have begun to fall.  

This red moose kept an eye on our bikes while we enjoyed lunch at a sidewalk cafe in Bennington, VT.  The conversation among the patrons was when would peak leaf season be, this weekend or next. Agreement was reached that it was peak right now and would last through this weekend.  

Many folks have asked us how could we leave New England and miss the beautiful fall.  I am here to tell you we have experienced it in the 4 most northern New England states in the past two days and it is glorious.  We were very surprised to find so much color so far south.

Tonight we are in Copake, NY, just south and east of Albany.  The colors here are at maybe 40-50% and no doubt will continue to diminish as we proceed south.

Yesterday we had to pull over and tighten up the left mirror on the Silver Streak but today all was well with the bike.  It was me, the driver, who punked out at about 4:30.   We had just passed a motel and stopped for gas.  Allan agreed that we could come back and check it out.

The room is clean but the clerk a bit eccentric.  She suggested that we take a room in the back and bring our bikes back with us.  She even suggested that we park on the walkway.  Bekah's bike will rest the night outside our door.  Allan's bike looks to be fenced in!

We are making good progress.  I am enjoying riding Bekah's bike through the countryside.  Today we rode about 215 miles but it was a long slow day.

P.S. We may not be the only ones heading south.  These geese appear a bit confused but I am sure they will get their flight plan sorted out and also end up going in the same direction we are.