ERIE CANAL 2015
Utica to Schenectady
Leaving Utica we passed the
largest collection of semi-abandoned factories I've ever seen. I say
semi because parts of the huge buildings contained small businesses. They
reminded me of huge buildings on former collective farms in the Czech
Republic. They also had small portions occupied by small operations.
Another almost abandoned factory
Victorian beauty in Mohawk
Historic Herkimer Church dating
from Revolutionary War times, between Mohawk and Little Falls.
Another view of Herkimer Church
Lunch stop along a new section
of trail on the outskirts of Little Falls.
View of the main part of Little Falls across the river/canal. Last time we spent the night in Little Falls; but here we passed it right by.
Paved Mohawk-Hudson rail trail
east of Little Falls
A deluxe model at a lock just before Fort Plain. It was one of the few
portal potties we encountered on the trail
Because of a bend in the river, the
route to our next and last night's stop in Palatine Bridge was shorter
if we crossed over the bridge at Fort Plain to Nelliston, rather than
staying on the trail to Canajoharie, which is right across the river
from Palatine Bridge. It had the added advantage of an ice cream stand
half way between Nelliston and Palatine Bridge
Through a mix-up, two of the three rooms I had reserved at the Palatine
Motel were already occupied. Fortunately, Ann had made a reservation at
the only other motel in the area. She was able to accommodate Lynn; and
the rest of us fit in the one room available at the Palatine. The owner
admitted he had made a mistake and refunded half of the room rate.
Back on stone dust east of Palatine Bridge
This time we just happened to pass the Shrine of the North American Martyrs at Auriesville on Sunday morning and decided to climb the hill to attend mass at the enormous "coliseum" on the grounds of the shrine.
The main grounds is very scenic and flat.
Stations of the cross on shrine grounds.
Church where we attended Mass. There was a good size crowd; but it was dwarfted by the huge church.
Heading back down to the trail on the back road from the coliseum.
After Amsterdam we were put back on the road. But as always, NY state highways seemed to be designed for bike tourng.
Approaching Schenectady we passed the last lock (on this tour at least).
Prior to boarding the train for the trip west, we stopped at Katie O'Byrnes, a nice restaurant in front of the station. Since I would be getting a free (paid as part of the sleeping car fare), I settled for a beer.
The trip back was uneventful and pleasant..
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