Day 12 - 258 miles

Left out about 10:00 - did a lot of pre planning so we can head west and south. Not many roads go east to west due to all the mountains. So we had to get on the toll road for a little while - not too bad. Also there are not many bridges across the Hudson River. It seems like every time we have to cross a big body of water the bridge is under construction and we have to go across in a very narrow space - scary but we made it -,just don't look down.

All roads after the toll road were some of the most beautiful we have ever ridden on - it also made a difference that it was overcast and cooler. Mountains, rivers, rolling pastures and quaint towns. Had one

rain shower but saw it in the radar and waited it out in a big gazebo in a town square.

Note: In Tawanda they are fracking - met a guy at the hotel that worked for Badger which is a drilling company - said he made $35/hr but lately everything had slowed down. Read an article that said the town hated all the big truck traffic but liked the increase in sales. I think our hotel was built for the drilling company and now with the slow down had only three rooms filled.

SSB

Today was the ride thru the Beautiful Catskills! Absolutely perfect ride. It's even better knowing NY city is not that far away. Mountains and rivers farms and forests. It's hard to take it all in and we are constantly saying WOW. VB can pick some great roads.

Lunch in downtown Stanford where we enjoyed a sandwich outside and watched a lady almost back into another lady who was about to crunch the BMW - probably the most excitement they've had in a while.

We had a brief rain delay as a quick storm rolled thru. A gazebo provided our cover while and we studied maps and gps.

The backroads to Towanda frustrated me as construction, traffic, and drilling rigs slowed our pace and blocked my view. Passing on blind curves and double yellow lines was frowned upon but I did squeeze the throttle a few times.

I find it interesting that some towns are full of character and seem prosperous while others are falling apart. And this is probably what's going on all across the country. I'd like to ask the locals just what do they do and how do they feel about things...we see few political signs here.

In Towanda there is confusion about the location of our hotel. Can't trust the Internet. The alcohol sales laws are different here - had to buy a 6 pack in a bar at bar prices; got cultural insights from that place. Bought a slice of pizza from a gas station before going to bed. VB watched a Matthew Macoughney movie as I dozed.