Finding New Paths

The heart of man plans his way,

    but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9

We woke to cooler temperatures this morning after a restful night at the B&B in Angola, NY. It was restful, but each of us had a touch of a stomach bug. Probably something we ate within the last 24 hours. 

After some coffee and a light snack we loaded up and headed NE for second breakfast. From the start, we went rogue in our route, staying off the Adventure Cycling Assoc(ACA) route for the most part. In Derby we found Cala’s Kitchen. It wasn’t hard to find. The parking lot was full as were the tables and booths. The food was great. 

Satiated we started toward Buffalo. We had googled an alternative route as the ACA route still takes you into Canada, eh. We opted not to spend a couple hundred bucks to get a ‘Rona test. So we looked for a route around Buffalo and to its bike path along Erie’s shore. Buffalo proper has some very nice protected two bike lanes along a major artery. We heard something about the skyway being closed today to cars and open to bikes. What’s the Skyway?

Soon we gave up on our east side route and cut through town on a posted bike route that took us straight to a green belt like path that followed the shore. There were all sorts of bikers with event numbers on. Cops were holding up traffic and letting us bikers cruise through intersections. I’m liking Buffalo. After some meandering around a marina or two we came to a stop, more like a dead end on the water. There was a sign,”bike ferry, $1”. Sure enough, you buy a ticket from the self service kiosk and we joined a line waiting for a ferry for bikes only to come fetch us. A father/daughter team were sporting event numbers on their backs. They informed us that once a year the city closes the Skyway, a raised highway bridge over downtown to cars for a bicycle event. Cyclists cross the bridge twice. 

Soon the ferry docked. The first mate escorted the bikers off and then us on board. Capt Mike asked where we were from. “Idaho! I never had anyone from Idaho before.”  Of course then came the questions, “where you headed? Where you start? When did you start? Are you crazy? What’s that black thing in your glasses?” “You guys are awesome”. All with thick NY ascents. 

15 minutes later we had crossed the Buffalo River Canal, saving us a couple miles. 

We continued along the path, looking for a Bistro to feel the void. But detours and construction took us this way and that. Finally back along the water we came to the River Grill. Rhonda finally got some Gruper. I had chicken. There was live music with a solo act singing covers from the ‘70’s. Mostly singer songwriter stuff, Croce, Taylor, Brown, Lightfoot, Buffett, Seger, and on and on. He was pretty good. Could have stayed there longer but Niagara was calling. 

Looking at the map yet again, we decided to reroute. Google was getting confused. We noticed the interstate bridge to Grand Island had a protected bike path up and over. So you know what they say about a bridge? “Get over it”. We did, twice. Getting on and off the island. It saved us countless miles and it was kind of exciting too. 

On the mainland, we soon found ourselves by the Falls with a million of our best friends. We walked our bikes through the park and viewed Niagara Falls. My mom and dad brought us there back in 1967 or 68 while visiting some of mom’s cousins, Pat and Roy,  who farmed nearby.  I’m sure not much has changed. 

Now we are 9 miles-ish east in an RV camp. Tomorrow we find and ride the Erie Canal.