trying a different method of recording; feedback appreciated
+To save space (?) I'll start compiling my stuff into a single periodic post with the item number & points referenced therein.
Now, where was I before I so rudely fell asleep at the keyboard last night?.. Ahh, yes, looking east upon the Rondout Reservoir. While walking back to the bike after reading the kiosk history presentation, I noticed intermittent flakes of snow, but certainly nothing of concern.
(#14 +50) Westward ho! then, to the Chestnut Creek Covered Bridge in Grahamsville, NY:
http://www.roadkillonline.net/imagedb_images/35_9982.JPG
http://www.roadkillonline.net/imagedb_images/35_9983.JPG
(#74 +100) A few more snowflakes continued to present themselves, but again, no big deal, and I was elated to also snag a totem pole in Grahamsville:
http://www.roadkillonline.net/imagedb_images/35_9984.JPG
(#23 +125) Next up, the Western Mohegan Tribe & Nation Reservation and Museum. Enroute, however, I got slammed with sleet, freezing rain and occasional snow squalls, and decided I'd head for home with only a few more stops intermingled in my travel. The Reservation:
http://www.roadkillonline.net/imagedb_images/35_9985.JPG
(#61 NO POINTS) As I progressed into the Rondout Valley in Ellenville, the weather changed to a simple misty rain, and I stopped at this D&H Canal snubbing post, thinking it'd qualify as a hitching post. (When I reviewed the list later, however, I noticed that it specifically said a "horse hitching post", so no points. Didn't make sense not to let you enjoy the pics though.) Text of the historic marker reads, "Snubbing Post, Delaware & Hudson Canal (1828-1898) opened valley to commerce. Ropes holding boats in lock cut grooves. Posts became O&W R.R. milestones. Moved from near Napanoch, 1960":
http://www.roadkillonline.net/imagedb_images/35_9986.JPG
http://www.roadkillonline.net/imagedb_images/35_9987.JPG
At this point, home was only 10 miles away up and over the highest point of the Shawangunk Range, and as I progressed upward, it became clear that altitude had enormous impact upon the precipitation. I didn't make it more than a mile when things got slick real quick. Leaving the village had me slipping the rear wheel endlessly, and at the first hill cut on the mountain, I had to turn around due to lack of forward progress. Now I was facing a 26 mile route that still included getting over the ridge 12 miles south of here, and as I proceeded, the snow simply got heavier. At Route 17, I was able to make the climb on the slushy interstate up and over, and then chose a local route that skirted the eastern edge of the ridge back north to my place.
(#49 NO POINTS) I already provided a one-room schoolhouse pic from earlier yesterday, and thought you might like to see the 1859 Walker Valley Schoolhouse. No points for the image, though, and check out the snowy road:
http://www.roadkillonline.net/imagedb_images/35_9988.JPG
I'm only 4 miles from home at this point, but I sincerely doubted I'd make it up my driveway, which is ~500' long with a 13% grade.
Sure enough, this wound up being the first night my bike did not get garaged, so I covered it up and kissed it goodnight, before venturing back out the next afternoon...:
http://www.roadkillonline.net/imagedb_images/35_9989.JPG
http://www.roadkillonline.net/imagedb_images/35_9990.JPG
http://www.roadkillonline.net/imagedb_images/35_9991.JPG
http://www.roadkillonline.net/imagedb_images/35_9992.JPG
http://www.roadkillonline.net/imagedb_images/35_9993.JPG
http://www.roadkillonline.net/imagedb_images/35_9994.JPG
Ride on.
Roadkill