Made the train, can't Champlain

Right now I have the laptop plugged in on an Amtrak car. After several hours of driving today, we covered the 150 miles between Burlington, VT and Albany, NY. Burlington lies near Lake Champlain, which is really big. We traveled along its southeast shore crooked mile after crooked mile, before crossing into NY via a tiny ferry just outside Fort Ticonderoga. Ann suggested we go by road map, instead of using the GPS, and as I was quite taken by the numerous small farms and their old fashioned barns, it seemed fitting to go “old school.” We saw a covered bridge, a new town about every third mile boasting its own neatly appointed church, and several stone bridges. The roads wind up and down a lot and are slow, but promise something new and unique around each corner. The kids were behaving themselves, and I really enjoyed the drive. It wasn’t until early afternoon and after a wrong turn somewhere in the Adirondack Mountains that I realized making it to Albany in time for the train was going to take some help from above. Indeed, I became panicky.

Somehow, we DID make the train (with less than 5 minutes to spare) and are now headed west to Niagara Falls, where I hope to post this blog. We are steaming along about 90 miles per hour in the right direction now, and it’s a fairly smooth ride, so I can relax and reflect on the day. Looking back, I’d have to say it has been plenty eventful, due mostly to my poor execution of Ann’s great planning. Often, I learn from mistakes, so today’s events have lots to offer me. Here’s a list of my mistakes.

Mistake #1 Slept in at Burlington, VT.

Mistake #2 Looked all over Burlington for a good cup of coffee.

Mistake #3 Lost time taking pictures of barns along the way.

Mistake #4 Chose to have copilot use road map, instead of listening to GPS.

Mistake #5 Took scenic route.

Mistake #6 Misunderstood “Highway 8 West Closed Ahead, Follow Detour” sign.

Mistake #7 Rented Toyota mini van, instead of Dodge Viper for panicked trip up, down, over, and around Adirondak mountains.

Mistake #8 Mentioned mistakes 4 & 5 to Ann.

Mistake #9 Failed to check and re-check the rental car prior to final turn-in. Trevor can’t find his glasses.

We have about an hour to go, then we’ll settle into a hotel close to Niagara Falls and spend tomorrow (Friday) there.. Tomorrow night, we leave for Chicago at midnight. Our best to all.

Kipp

Just one of the many barns we photographed.