Destination unknown...?

[rotor]

Day 22, 23: The short-cut
So instead of going north to Quebec and along the St. Lawrence, I have decided to cut across Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York. It is not significantly shorter distance, but it follows the old wisdom: whenever possible, do not return the way you went out. Most of the trip there will have to be via secondary and regional roads, but that is preferable to ripping up or down the trans-Canada or Interstates. Not much in terms of description is needed, so here are a few pictures:


The trip is well into the last third, and the funds are running low: alwas looking for economy-level motel...

Big skies, Vermont:


As good a place to take a rest as any:


Bridge over the western fork of Lake Champlain:


Finally, on the banks of St. Lawrence:


Again, two beauties in close proximity:


Entering Canada, I do stay away of 401 initially. I take the 1000 Islands Parkway, an proceed right through the down-town Kingston. But exiting Kingston, there are several spots of road construction on 33, with single lane alternating traffic, and I loose the patience. I take 4 (IIRC) north to 401, in the hope to reach Toronto before the afternoon rush-hour traffic. It is very hot. In Whitby, I decide it would be foolish to get into Toronto low on gas, and stop for the fuel:



The bike finally get some gasoline not polluted by alcohol (so hard to get in New England states!) and I get a double espresso, cold water and some sugar. I'm ready for Toronto traffic, I think.

From Kennedy to 427 I split the express lanes of 401 between 3 and 4 in the afternoon. A better rider than myself would not think much of it, but for me, it does take all the concentration and skill I can muster at the end of a 550 km hot day ride. However: of thousand of vehicles I filter through, only one idiot honks at me, while two outstanding, cvic-minded gentlemen actually open the space for a passing motorcycle!

There is hope for this country yet!

P.S. the reason for the mad rush was that I'll have to take a couple of days pause and deal with an unforeseen but urgent piece of family business. The trip will have to wait. Stay tuned, I'll be offline for a while, but I'll be back...