Update #25 - July 15, 2005
Barre, VT - 8515.9 miles (13,625.4 kms.)

The ride across New York was okay. I stayed with my friends in the Orchard Park area over the 4th of July weekend. It was good to visit with some friends. I was amazed at seeing how tall the kids had grown.

From Orchard Park, I rode through Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Lockport, Rochester, and Palmyra, before heading NE to ride along the St. Lawrence Seaway. I got to meet some new friends in the Palmyra area.

In Pulaski, NY, I met some new friends. Rev. Brett and Colleen Charsky. I got to speak last Sunday at the Park Baptist Church (Brett's Church). This was my 44th Church for the year.

The rest of the way along the St. Lawrence Seaway went okay. Last night, I camped out behind the Bible Baptist Church in Alburg, VT. They were having a Vacation Bible School and they had a big tent in back. I camped in my tent under the big tent since the mosquitoes were bad.

I decided to make a big leap of faith in riding to the Atlantic Ocean. With the last couple of tries riding to Maine, I've had some bad things happen along the way. The last time in 2002, I had a blowout going down a hill near Petersborough, NH which resulted in major surgery being done to my left shoulder. I figuere that I've got under 200 miles to ride to the Maine Coast around Portland, Maine. I'll be riding along familiar roads from previous rides through the area. If things go well, I should be riding down the Maine Coast sometime last next week.

The ride from Alburg through Burlington and then Eastward to Waterbury went okay. I rode along U.S. 2. I crossed over the Long Trail near Bolton. I had hiked through this area back in 1980 on my way to Montreal. I did have to use my headlight to get into Waterbury. Even though I got into Walterbury around 9:30 p.m. I was able to connect with somebody from the Methodist Church who gave me permission to stay in the church for the night.

I'll try and post and update as often as I can if my plans change.