June 05 Binghamton, NY

This morning started out like we were the keystone cops.  Jeff raced out of the hotel and headed right and Joe followed yelling “wrong direction.”  This is not the first time one of us headed to the right and the other to the left (no political inferences please).  Once we got synchronized, we cycled about 5 miles to Bob’s Diner.  We both decided on blueberry pancakes that were 3 for $3.49.  Our experience told us to just order 2 pancakes each.  When they arrived we knew that we should have ordered only 1 and shared it.  Yes they were that big and full of blueberries.  Sad to say, we each struggled to eat one.

Our first 20 miles were flat and fast.  The temperature was still cool and we really enjoyed the ride.  The next 20 miles was mostly rolling terrain except for the one big climb that snuck in there.  The next 20 miles were rollers but the temperature increased and we had a strong head wind.  Finally, our route flattened out but the headwinds punished us all the way to our hotel.

Since we were following the Susquehanna River as it dipped south we were in Pennsylvania for much of the afternoon. In Susquehanna, Pennsylvania we stopped to see the Starrucca Viaduct that was built by the Erie Railroad Company in 1847-48. It is a beautiful stone structure extending 1,200 feet and is 110 feet high.  Next we stopped at the Starrucca railroad station and hotel that was also built by the Erie Railway in 1863. The three-story Gothic Revival structure included a large hotel, called Starrucca House, with rooms for 200 people.  There we met the owner, Andrew and his son, also named Andrew who are trying to restore the building.  Andrew, a German immigrant purchased the building at a city auction and has been battling with the “town fathers” ever since.  It is a beautiful building, but according to Andrew Sr. the “town fathers” wanted to demolish the building. Both men live there without running water or electricity. (see photos of the viaduct, station, and Andrew senior and junior.) 

Leaving Susquehanna Pennsylvania we planned to stop at Joseph Smith’s (founder of the Mormon faith) home but the climbs and day’s heat were such that we missed the turnoff for this site.  All in all, it was a fun day.

 Today's pictures

 Map - Today 66.2 Miles

 Map - Total Trip to date - 249 Miles

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