Adirondack New York

Just an update - We've been in Lake Luzerne, NY for about 2 weeks now. Although the base of the Adirondack Mountains is very beautiful and green, it has been either raining, drizzling, or overcast 95% of the time. The rivers have been too fast so no kayaking, and the trails are too muddy to mountain bike. So I've been going out with Elton during his sales calls to keep myself busy. We were able to take some pictures during the sunny days which I'll upload under a different post. Just wanted to keep everyone up to date as to where we are. More later . . .

Detour

The Road Hazard has taken a detour from our travels up to the northern part of New York. We find ourselves here in Netcong, New Jersey. We will be here for a few days and then resume our travel up north. This isn't a pleasant detour but one that I felt should be addressed personally. Family matters like this are never pleasant when planned and even worse when it's unexpected.

Bite of the Big Apple

After completing our job here in Woodstock we decided to go south for the day and explore the Big Apple. First stop was a place that was once the first place people would see when arriving in this country for the first time. Between the years 1894 thru 1924 Ellis Island was the first check point for the numerous immigrants they would know they arrived to the land of Freedom when they would look out and see Lady Liberty standing proud in the harbor.

We walked around the base and were humbled by the sights we witnessed. Off in the distance the New York skyline was impressive. One can only imagine the events of 9/11. Reliving the events in our minds and just imagining the chaos that ensued.

Today, this very location of the World Trade Center is being rebuilt. Hundreds of construction workers are proudly assembling a new building. That one moment brought together everyone in this country for months. Today the city is back to normal in its New York minute pace. Just the occasional tourist stops to take a picture of this big hole in the ground and silently say a prayer to those that lost their lives here.

Being elevated 80 stories in 60 seconds is a rush as your ears pop to protest the change in altitude. Walking out and looking over the city from this vantage point brings you a different prospective of the city. You then start to see how big this city really is. How far the city reaches. How big the buildings really are. How packed in everything is. Down below the small toy cars zoom around as the ant like people scurry about.

We finished our day at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Once the tallest building in the city today it stands as a symbol. With the history enveloped in this church you gaze up at the tall spires and stained glass windows. Across the street is Rockefeller Center. Home to the famous Christmas tree and skating rink in winter and to the Today Show on NBC. The tiny center seems much bigger in the movies and on TV. Surrounded by tall buildings it sits in the shadows with its restaurants and shops surrounding it.

New York City is a great city to explore. One day is not enough time to really visit and get a feel for this city that never sleeps. One day we will return with more time.

(Click on picture below for slideshow)

New York, NY 06-09

Catskill Mountains

Over the last couple of days we have sprinkled some work in with site seeing. You can't have all work and no play, can you? Just down the road from us is Orange County Choppers. A bike builder made famous from being on the Discovery Channel. The Teutul family, which consists of Paul Sr, Paul Jr, Mickey and their employee Rick are always seen yelling and building bikes together on TV. Today on our visit here we were fortunate enough to see Mickey walking around the shop with his big hair and now sporting a huge beard with his signature shorts that he will wear year round no matter what the weather is outside.

The store has tons of their bikes on display. We walked around studying each one and remembering the episode in which we saw them building it. Along with the bikes one can purchase t-shirts, hats and what ever else they can put their logo on. The bikes, in case you were wondering, start at about $35,000 and climb up to $50,000. I'm sorry but I don't see it. They are nice theme bikes but not very practical or comfortable to ride. If you have money laying around and just want a show piece than sure, go buy one.

With the sun breaking out of the clouds today we decided to go out for a bike ride. We started by climbing this huge mountain. It went up about 800 ft as we climbed this twisty road. The air became cooler the higher we got. Along one stop we noticed this eye ball staring at us from the side of the road. We had to stop and stare back.

Along the way you will find countless waterfalls. Sometimes you can see them but most of the time you can just hear the rush of water through the trees.

With the threat of storm clouds coming over the mountain we decided to head back home. All along our trip we rode from cloudy and gloomy weather into beautiful sunny sections. The air went hot and cold during the entire ride. One moment you were freezing as you rode in the canyon and the next moment you were hot from the sunny and open areas. It was a great day that took us about 120 miles as we explored the area. Tomorrow should be another good day for riding.

Still in Woodstock

Still here in Saugerties and Woodstock. Enjoying the sunny days when they arrive and working hard when the rain shows up.

We have enjoyed exploring this area rich with history and diversity. Woodstock is a delight to visit since every time is a different experience. The crowds change over from tourists on weekends to the locals coming out during the week.

The woods are thick with vegetation since it seems the moisture is always being squeezed from the mountains surrounding us.

This interesting looking moth was sitting on a building waiting for evening to arrive. About the size of my hand it was amazing to look at. With its leading edge on the wing a bright red color. Its antenna was yellow and looked like a couple of feather dusters.

We are here for another 6 days until we continue north. For now we are enjoying our adventures here.

Built FORD Tough

Entering the Catskill Mountains of New York State and winding around tight roads we arrive in Saugerties. Tucked back deep into the woods is our next stop for the next two weeks. Another little piece of paradise to explore. Just up the road, about 15 minutes, is the hallowed ground of Woodstock. Still today you can see some "hippie's" strolling the downtown area wishing or thinking they were still back in 1969. The place of the historic transformation of Rock n Roll actually happened another 20 minutes up the road in another small town called Bethel. Max Yasgur's 600 acre dairy farm was home to 320,000 people who made history that weekend.
Setting up Road Hazard for our stay I was excited about being in this area and already enjoying the beautiful backdrop. What I didn't see coming around the corner would literally take me off my feet.
The next morning I awoke early to get a start on my next assignment but something was wrong. My throat felt like I had swallowed a puffer fish. With its spinney little body pushing against the back of my throat and its fat puffy body making it difficult to swallow. I felt cold even though there were plenty of blankets on me. Oh no, I'm sick. I'll just sleep it off until noon and then go out. Nope. The day was spent exchanging positions from the couch to the bedroom. My eyes were closed more this day than they would be open. Liquids being pumped into me like I was on fire and a rarity, I even was taking aspirin to ease the pain and cool the fever. The next day, which is now Wednesday, I woke up feeling a little better but walking around like I was in a daze. That feeling of your body moving at a normal speed but your brain lags behind just a few seconds. I'm OK. I'll still go out and try to work some. After arriving at my first stop I gathered everything I thought I would need and got out of the car and started walking towards the building. The brain, still a few seconds behind, finally speaks up and asks if anyone has the car keys. What? What? Pressing my nose against the glass I could see the keys still hanging from the ignition. The doors locked, windows closed and no way to get in. Okay, can this get any better? Still in a haze the mind is now trying to get in gear and think MacGyver style. One coat hanger, duct tape, pliers, and a small stick of C4 plastic explosives. No, wait...wrong episode. What I will need for this adventure would be one coat hanger and a stick of chewing gum. I entered the Post Office while casually scanning the "Wanted" posters hoping they haven't caught up to me yet, I explained my dilemma and requested a First Class Coat Hanger. With my tool in hand I next took out a piece of chewing gum. Now I was ready to unlock the Pick Up. Bending the coat hanger and shoving the hooked piece through the back window I was able to finally pry open the window and reach in to unlock the door. And the chewing gum you might be wondering? It was used to help keep my mind focused and clear as I felt the surge of sugar hit my bloodstream. OK New York, what's next?
Friday, the weather is gloomy but I am feeling much better and looking forward to another good day working. Pulling through the intersection after having stopped for the red light the cars ahead of me slowed down once again. Then, that sound that when someone hears it instinctively makes the shoulders rise and their eyes slam shut waiting for the the next sound. The sound tires make when they protest the burden they're put under to hold a 3,000 lb car. The next sound was a loud pop followed by metal crunching up like a beer can on a frat boys forehead. The only problem was that this was followed by my head slamming into the headrest of my seat and my eyes darting up to the mirror. Like two deer's in headlights our eyes met for that brief moment right after impact. My eyes were yelling "What the hell are you doing?" and her young eyes saying "Oh shit, what just happened?" The skies, as if on cue, turned on the sprinklers and showered us as we found the shoulder of the road to examine our carriages. Right away the young girl started to apologize as she shuddered with the realization of what had just happened. The pick up had a 2 inch sliver of rubber ripped on the bumper. Other than that it was just dirty from the dirt and pollen. Her car didn't come out as well. The bumper was still intact but the paint had spidered as the bumper absorbed the impact. The hood, which found its way under my bumper was pushed in and smashed her grill. 45 minutes later the police arrived to fill out the necessary paperwork. While I waited, I started to think that if the events of the last few days would have happened at another time in my life I probably would have been really really pissed off. I'm sitting here mesmerized by the windshield wipers occasionally cleaning the fresh rain drops off the glass thinking that in my life today I am thankful. Not for everything that has happened but for what I have. I realized that this journey has changed the way I see things. Who cares about the small little problems that popped up. We worked through them. This little rip added to the pick up? who cares. Life is too good to worry about the small obstacles. Life is a postcard and we are living in it. Don't worry about the delivery.

Mufflehead

Once in awhile you stumble onto something and it turns out to be a great experience. This is our visit to Sandusky, Ohio. How and why did we pick this place to stop? It was close to Cleveland and it was close to water. What we discovered were two things. First, the Muffleheads (more on that later) and second Put-In-Bay.

To get to this island off the coast of Sandusky one has to take about a 25 minute Jet Boat ferry ride. Once the Captain has cleared the dock and opens the throttles up the boat seems to climb on top of the water and gently skims the waves. With a light sway and an occasional spray of water you are quickly taken to a calm and peaceful place. The scenery before you is hard to believe. You are on Lake Erie but it could be the ocean. This is all fresh water around you.

We are greeted to Put-In-Bay by a tall monument erected back in the early 1900's. Established to honor those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie, during the war of 1812, but in equal part it is here to celebrate the long-lasting peace between Britain, Canada and the U.S. Situated only 5 miles from the longest undefended boarder in the world.

The island is only about 4 miles long. There are two main modes of transportation. Golf carts and bikes. We took our bicycles and explored almost every corner. There are many summer homes with only a small population that live here year long. Every side of this island presents new views of Lake Erie and the surrounding islands. The downtown strip consists of two roads that intersect each other. Lined with restaurants, bars, brewery's and gift shops. After peddling around the entire island it was time to hit the restaurants and bars. We visited 4 bars and one restaurant. Needless to say we were quite happy by the time we boarded the ferry for the return trip. The island is a popular destination for all types but today it seemed like the bridal parties were in control. Nothing like seeing a bunch of squealing drunk women running around and driving golf carts.
Now, being next to Lake Erie has its disadvantages. We discovered these things on our arrival to the Park. As I walked in the grass it seemed that it became alive. Thousands and thousands of these feather duster antenna, winged insects came out. It looked like I was walking in a snow globe but instead of snow it was these mosquito looking things swarming around. Thankfully, we discovered later, that they don't bite. They just annoy you by flying into your mouth or landing on your face.

We met this couple at a local restaurant and after having talked in length about RV'ing I finally remembered to ask what this plague is called. Mufflehead was his response. Wait, did he just call me a "Mufflehead"? No, that's what they call this insect. I don't know how it got the name but we did learn that they live in the mud at the bottom of Lake Erie. People around here are excited to see these winged nuisance because it lets them know that the lake is healthy. They come out once a year, grow some wings and go off to mate. They only live for a couple of weeks before their empty carcass crunches underfoot. They can live for a couple of years in the mud as larva. When you go outside everything is covered in these bugs. It looks like a shaggy living blanket. Of course when we were packing to leave we had bugs get inside the RV. We have been killing these things by the handful. Mufflehead. Another interesting fact about this country that we didn't know existed. Oh, we never did make it to Cleveland. We had to much fun around here.

Tonight we are parked in another Flying J Truck stop, en route to our next job. Thank God for the satellite to pass the time tonight.