Rochester, NY to Waneta Lake, NY 77.3 miles

I knew it was going to be a long day on the road. I had a Warmshowers host lined up but it was over 75 miles away, over hills and a good bit of it on trails which would slow me. I must of been concentrating on covering the miles because the first picture I took on the road was 33 miles into the ride.

When I saw the old enameled steel Acme storefront on the Main Street in Canandaigua, NY, I was in awe. It was in such good condition, the colors and font of the sign, it was magnificent. I thought it was interesting that the storefront said “Self Serve” in the upper left corner. I remembered reading somewhere about how the market keeper used to get everything down from the shelves for you. It must of been a fairly new thing to be able to select your own groceries back in 1942 when it opened. It made me think about future generations not understanding a storefront grocery store and a kid saying “You mean you used to have to go to the grocery store?”

My Warm Showers hosts weren’t home and gave me the code to access there house. Knowing they wouldn’t be there and I would have access to a full kitchen. I stopped at an Amish produce stand. While I was there, the Amish family seemed interested in what I was doing And started asking me questions about my trip. Then one of them told me that her parents bike tour! They had just talked to them on the phone. They were on tour and in Bar Harbor, Maine (where I will finish my tour). They were taking a ferry to nova Scotia to continue their tour. The daughter told me if I left my name and address, that I might get a copy of one of her parents books they write about each tour they take. I hope I find one in the mail sometime soon.

I realized that I miss cooking. I have done some cooking on the tour, but it was really nice to make a meal in a real kitchen.

I am sorry I didn’t get to meet my hosts, I am sure I would’ve really liked them. I could see their love of adventure and each other in their home. I did get to talk to Karen on the phone and she told me where to find their photo album of their cross country tour from Oregon to Florida. They rode on a tandem bicycle! My wife and I ride tandem, but it is another level to bike tour across the country on a tandem. Thank you Karen and Tom for hosting me in your lovely home.