Syracuse to Herkimer, NY

The streets were wet from last night's rain.  Light rain continued off and on as we rode to Herkimer, NY, from Syracuse.  I wore a rain jacket, and a shower cap over my helmet.  Air temperatures were in the seventies, so it was a warm rain.  All in all, it could have been much worse.  We've been really lucky and not had much precipitation during the past six and a half weeks of riding across the country.

Leaving Syracuse, we were treated to a short, steep hill, but after that, the road leveled off until after the SAG stop and we got gentle rollers into Herkimer.

We crossed the Erie Canal and I rode for a little on the tow path.  Of course, when the canal was in use, there were no trees along the tow path which was used by horses & mules to tow the barges up stream.

Herkimer is famous for doubly terminated quartz crystals called, "Herkimer diamonds."  The town is named after a Revolutionary War General.

4:36; 71 miles; 270' climb; 3,447 Calories.

Yes, I grabbed a chocolate shake and a cheese burger when I got to the hotel.

Wet road under cloudy skies.

The Erie Canal.

Here's the tow path.

I'm not too sure about the green water.

Everything looks green and wonderful until you realize the flags on the fire hydrants are so the firemen can find them under the snow.

Barge canal.

I'll bet you could rent this place for not much money.

Out in farm country, there are "honor boxes" where firewood, vegetables, eggs, and fruit are for sale by the road.  You drop the money in the box and take what you have bought.  In Los Angels, not only would they take the money and all the produce, but would steal the box, too.