Our first state crossing - into New York!

Jun 21 - Pittsfield MA to Waterford NY: 44 miles

It rained ALL night, first all outside, but then by morning on the inside of the tent as well. Luckily it stopped around 11am, so we could pack up everything without getting more wet, and get on the road.

More up and down today. There was a last epic up before the New York border, then an epic DOWN to cross the border and leave the Berkshire Mountains behind.  Next was rolling hills through farming country and many lakeside resorts. Our route passed through Troy NY, so I had a long visit at my Alma mater, RPI (now Rensselaer), which looks terrific.  All the old buildings are in shipshape, all the clocks keep time, and the EMPAC building is a compelling work of architecture overlooking the Hudson valley below. Worth seeing.

After crossing the Green Island bridge out of Troy, it was all side streets and then bike route along the Hudson, all gorgeous and highly recommended.  The small town there was all decked out with U.S. flags on every electricity pole, and I couldn't resist doing a quick video riding down the street passing by all the fluttering flags.

Our late start meant a late arrival at our target destination of Lock 2 in Waterford, where we met up with the Erie canal. The lock master and all the boaters there were very friendly and helpful.  There, we were almost immediately greeted by a terrific couple who are doing an epic loop by boat up the Erie and then down the Mississippi. We joined them for a couple beers on their lovely boat, got a chance to lay out our wet gear in the last of the sunshine. and slept in a site overlooking the lock and the water.

Waterford NY, lock 2