Mr. Sackett's Village

51 miles to Sacket's Harbor today.  Long, undulating hills, passing mainly through farmlands and tiny towns.  Lots of ice cream possibilities.  Perhaps today's route could be renamed "The Ice Cream Trail."  No arm-twisting necessary for anyone who might like to ride this route together in the future. The ride was both fun-filled and harrowing at times.  Though we mainly enjoyed pedaling roads with wide shoulders and relatively calm traffic, there were a few places where the shoulder was either narrow or non-existent, and one road that is clearly a main thoroughfare for 18-wheelers and buffed out Tonka truck-like vehicles.  None of the drivers of these vehicles were intentionally threatening or intimidating.  But their existence on our trail was a bit scary at times.

Our first view of the lake today was in Henderson Harbor where we stopped for lunch at the Westview Lodge.  Gorgeous to say the least!  And, only 8 miles from Sacket's.  Sacket's Harbor is a wonderful little town (note: not tiny).  After arriving around 1:30, we showered and quickly headed out for coffee, ice cream and a tour of a town noted to be particularly significant to the Americans during the War of 1812.  Originally settled by Augustus Sackett in the early 1800s, and later referred to as "Mr. Sackett's Village," Sacket's Harbor, a protected harbor on the western edge of Lake Ontario, housed a major US Naval shipyard, was the site of two battles during the War of 1812 and became home to Madison Barracks (named for President James Madison), a strategic military post from the War of 1812 to World War II.

In addition to its military history the town supports several art galleries, numerous pubs and restaurants, and some pretty darn delicious hard scoop ice cream.  The walk along the harbor is just stunning, with views of Ontario that make Canada feel like it's just a hop, skip and a jump away.

In other news, our bullet-proof tires have held up relatively well.  Sadly, Jo awoke to a flat rear tire, probably the result of a slow leak from a pinch on yesterday's sometimes gravelly roads.  And, I have ditched my handlebar bag.  After spending hours feeling like I was plowing the roads as opposed to gliding along them on my road bike, I threw that bag in the SAG wagon and swore to myself that I would never, ever diminish the beauty and precision of my road machine with such frivolty.  I have been wearing my small Camelback, loading it with a various sundries I might need (ie my rain jacket).  And that has worked out just fine.

Tomorrow we head into Canada!  Yahoo!  And the weather continues to look cool & sunny!