Rain Day

Schenectady, New York -- Rest Day

As Dan had predicted, it was raining steadily this morning and the temperatures had dropped significantly. Suffice it to say, we were not particularly motivated to get out on our bikes. Instead, we decided to take the Brudos' up on their offer to borrow their car and drive into Albany to check out the sights.

If Meg said it once, she said a dozen times how happy she was we weren't on the bikes today. Instead, we had a wonderful day in the city visiting first the New York State Museum and then the capitol building. We were pleasantly surprised by the museaum and could have spent much more time there except for the fact we got hungry and wanted to make the 2 p.m. capitol tour. The 9/11 exhibit, dioramas of the native Iroquois, and ice age animals took most of our attention.

After feeding ourselves at Au Bon Pain, we walked through the underground walkways to the capitol. George was a fantastic guide and we really had no idea how impressive the building was. Built just after the Civil War (when the capitol was moved from New York City to Albany), it was intended to impress upon those who visited just how wealthy and powerful New York state was. The granite, marble, and sandstone structure uses no steel and little expense was spared to the staircases, high ceilings, and ornate decorations. Interestingly, four NY state governors have gone on to become president: Van Buren, Cleveland, and both Roosevelts.

Front of the NY capitol

The evening was spent chatting with our Warm Shower hosts, Dan and Anita. Dan, a fourth grade teacher, when younger, spent time in Germany, China, and Taiwan. These days, he and Anita do longer bike rides, though Anita is just coming back from a knee replacement. On their property, they currently have fourteen cows. Tomorrow they'll take delivery of a Hereford bull to breed with their Scottish Highland "Coos." Fortunately for us, they host a half dozen cyclists a year as they are close to the Erie Canal Trail. All too soon, it was time to hit the hay. Scattered showers and higher temps should make for much better riding conditions tomorrow.