Coast2Coast Day 77:  Lake Durant to Ticonderoga, New York;  discovered that ferry to cross Lake Champlain is not running ‘indefinitely!’

Started in the rain and mist wearing my full rain gear for the first time since acquiring the Showerspass rain jacket in Missoula, Montana.  Definitely an indication of how fortunate the weather has been for our journey.  Not too long after departing, the rain let up, but the pavement continued to have water that would be kicked up by the bicycle tires and passing vehicles.  

I think that I have become more relaxed on the intermittent climbs, with today’s reaching 8-12% along the way.  The many dips, valleys and hills allow for ‘spring-boarding’ from descents to ascents, though not completely propelling one to the next ‘summit.’  The trees continue to provide much shade along the route.

Stopped at a park in Newcomb, where I met up with Cathy who had prepared a ‘second breakfast’ for us!  I tossed my heaviest rain gear into the van, but took my light rain jacket as ‘insurance.’  We agreed to meet again in Severance, and decide whether continue riding for the day, or to divert early to Waterbury for our planned rest day (and tour visit of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream and Flavor Graveyard.

Before reaching Severance, the route took me onto a dirt and gravel road, somewhat challenging for me on my road bike.  I called Cathy, who was close to Severance, to see if there was a different direction for which I could travel on paved surfaces.  We did meet in Severance, but it seemed no more than a post office.  We agreed to again meet at the library in Ticonderoga, and from there continue into Vermont via the ferry.

The route into Ticonderoga had a wickedly exciting downhill into town.  When I met Cathy at the library, she shared that the ferry there was closed indefinitely.  We flexed to drive to Waterbury ‘directly,’ enjoy our rest day and tour, and come back to NY the day after to cross into Vermont on my bike.  

The route that Google Maps took us went through Western Vermont, and included many twists, turns and some construction.  I was surprised by how flat the Western part of the State is, as my prior experience of Vermont had been for skiing and leaf peeping, which had taken me through the mountains and hilly terrain of the State.

Arriving in Waterbury, Don introduced us to our ABNB/home for the next two nights.  He pointed out some of the features and idiosyncrasies of the wonderful Victorian place, as well as some of the eateries, etc. available in the town.

We dined at the ProPig, and was served by Megan, and met John.  John is also a cyclist and had some interest in the details of our journey.

We returned to the ABNB, and watched an episode of ‘How to Get Away with Murder’ before retiring to our books and slumber for the night!