Oct 19, 2013

One of the things we enjoyed in NYC was the unexpected little glimpses between buildings of quiet spaces often with water features and almost always with trees and other greenery. Nice little retreats from the hustle and bustle of the city. This was opposite our hotel and ran between West 49th and 50th



Soon after we got through the Lincoln tunnel we headed west and left the town behind and started coming across the sort of colour we had expected earlier in the trip. The hills were draped with dappled shades of gold and red and vibrant orange with patches of green and also silver where the leaves had fallen already and as we climbed higher more leaves were gone and less colour obvious and in some parts more green and silver than anything. The weather and temperature to prompt the changes has obviously varied throughout the mountain areas. This is an example of some of the variation we saw.



A view of a canyon soon after Jefferson where we had breakfast which was indicative of the sort of country we moved through most of the day. We wound up and down mountainsides and alongside rivers with a small amount of farmland thrown in for good measure but almost always through beautiful colour with occasional showers of autumn confetti and it did our souls good to be inserted into such beauty.



And a view of a mountainside at Kittatinny Point.



We were on Interstates all day so we got in mid-afternoon so we went for a brief wander and this is the Williamsport Town Hall.



And we are nestled within the folds of hills at Williamsport for the night. Williamsport is famous for its lumber industry and at one time had more millionaires per square mile than anywhere else in the country and a lot of them lived on a road referred to as Millionaire’s Row for obvious reasons. We decided that was too far to walk tonight so may ride out there and have a look as we leave in the morning….if we remember.
Bits and Bobs:



This was the truck stop we fuelled up at and it was jammed up with trucks queuing for fuel and to get onto the public weighbridge. A trucker told Norm it was one of the more popular and we heard people being called for shower bookings so I’m guessing they are actually cleaned between showers. Not hard to see why it’s popular given some of the sorry examples we have in Australia



Liked this sign on the side of a truck.

I’ve seen a good number of Werner Enterprises Trucks everywhere on our trip except for the last day or so before we got to NYC and of course none there. They have close to (if not all) Freightliners and their colour is close to ours so they remind me of our trucks and remind me of our fleet / home so I’ve missed them. Good to see them back on the interstate today.

Last 2 night’s Accommodation:



Radio City Apartments
142 West 49th Street
New York, NY 10019

Nice handy spot and we navigated our way into it on the bikes. Room very small. Bed reasonably comfortable with a dip in the middle so guaranteed to sleep close, but one side against the wall and not much room to walk on the other. Bathroom small but nicely fitted out. In theory a self-contained apartment with stove and fridge and the like but precious little room to use that and have luggage spread about. Adequate but I wouldn’t stay again given the price poor value for money. A budget choice at more than a budget price in my opinion.

Last night’s Dinner:
Playwright Café – Celtic Pub. Great atmosphere and upstairs in the restaurant where we were not as noisy as in the bar downstairs. Service terrific, extensive menu and delicious food. Definitely worth a visit.