The Not-So Thru-Way...

I awoke to a clear crisp morning. The castaway leaves were dotting the wet soil and I felt evermore anxious to reach my goal.

The few days leading up to this morning were discouraging and flattening; I felt deflated. My determination had been derailed more than a few times and flying back west from Buffalo crossed my mind more than once. If a moment existed to back out, this was it. It was either continue on along with Kevin towards Syracuse and beyond or I could walk a mile and be checking my bags in a few hours. I had come so far, more than 3,000 miles I would guess, but the days prior had made my destination seem so far away.

That morning, I honestly didn't have to think about it very long. I had gotten a good night's sleep and after a hearty breakfast of oatmeal and granola I was ready for the road again. I had a connection in Syracuse that I was confident in so that would more than likely be our next stop.

Remember Dr. Rob Leach? The abundantly gracious dentist back in Michigan? Well, he and his family just wouldn't quit helping me and I was more than grateful to accept. Jill and Rob's son, Bruce graduated from Syracuse University a few years ago and was the president of a fraternity located on campus. Before I left their home in Michigan, they assured me that when I reached Syracuse the fraternity brothers would take me in as family; as long as I dropped Bruce's name. I know frat houses have a bad reputation, but just like America as a whole, I was curious to find out for myself what they were really like. More of that story to come, but as for now, let's get back to Buffalo.

Kevin and I packed up camp and made our way from the woods. As we ascended to the short gravel road there was a older woman teaching her grand daughter to ride a bike. They were walking and riding away from us and didn't see us coming. Barring my inclination to give them a wee fright, I offered a simple "good morning" from about 20 feet back. They were both a little stunned and the woman asked in a friendly tone, "where did you two come from?!" It was fairly obvious that we had been camped in the nearby woods so a playful, slightly sarcastic, "oh, nowhere!" Some friendly words were exchanged and she pointed us in the right direction to find the onramp we were headed for.

About 20 minutes and one mile later we reached the fairly busy intersection and posted up on the shoulder of the on ramp. This ramp was for both West and East-bound, but it was our only option. I wrote "Rochester" on the whiteboard and it was time for our well-weathered patients to kick in.

Maybe 30 minutes had passed by the time Joe almost violently pulled over for us. I claimed the front seat so I could charge my phone and figure out the best place for Joe to drop us at. He was on his way to downtown Rochester which was about 60 miles. There was only one, unforeseeable issue...

If you were to open a map of New York, (like anyone ever "opens" maps anymore. A paper map?! What?!) and were to locate Rochester, you would find that it sets just underneath and near the center of the southern shore of Lake Ontario. The New York Thru-way or I-90 streaks across New York and shoots right under Rochester about 15 miles give or take. I-490 departs I-90 about 20 miles southwest of the city, goes straight into downtown and then leaks back out southeasterly to meet up with I-90 again. It's like a huge triangle with Rochester at the top. OK, so all that explanation to tell you that getting dropped off on the 90 southwest of the city where the 490 starts to reach towards Rochester was a bad idea! But, not enough thought was put into the DZ; my bad.

We couldn't hitch straight on the toll way and were verbally restricted to a part of the 490 away from the booths by a toll teller. Usually that wouldn't be too bad, but given the aforementioned architecture of the freeways, NO ONE coming south on I-490 from Rochester was going our direction, they were all, seemingly, going back towards Buffalo. We had no choice, after a couple dry hours of no rides and thankfully no rain, we decided to head into Rochester to then immediately try to get a ride OUT of Rochester. We dodged to the other side of the highway and set up shop.

Both Kevin and I were looking towards oncoming traffic when a voice from behind greet us with, "where ya guys heanin'?" A young lad named Josh had pulled over behind us and both Kevin and I had failed to notice. We explained our situation and although he was heading home to Rochester he willingly agreed to take us east of Rochester. Score. Big time score. We wouldn't have to get dropped off in the city and then try and get a ride out. It was only about noon, but getting dropped in a city is always risky. Josh is a saint.

He was driving a mini van so that was awesome. He was 25 and giving school another shot back in Buffalo. He was fun and spurring to talk to because he had that same sense of adventure I did. He was amazed at what we were doing and seemed inspired. I got a sense that he felt privileged to help out. Although getting straight back on 90 would have been quicker, I think being distracted by the circumstances of picking up two complete strangers, Josh proceeded towards Rochester, took us over downtown and back to 90. He drove us much further than I had anticipated. I am unsure of the exact location to be honest, but it must have been about another 20 miles down 90 where there was a rest stop that Josh let us off at.

This place was no ordinary rest stop either. It had a full fledged food court and gas station! We had given Josh our names and emails and as we were retrieving our gear form the van, Josh handed us BOTH $40. This guy blew me away. Really did not see that coming. It was such a blessing. I almost hugged him as we parted ways, but advised myself against it. The NE was new territory and I still have no idea how people interact.

We took some time to eat lunch and use the facilities before we set back out on the road. In our time we made our way out near the on ramp that lead drivers back onto the Thru-way. Not 5 minutes passed before Pat pulled over to pick us up. He had seen us standing near the door getting out stuff together and had decided then that he would help us out. It was an encouraging act of kindness.

He was going to Syracuse to see his son who is studying out there. He was a really cool guy. A fellow Eagle Scout and had done his share of backpacking the Adirondack mountains. If I remember correctly, he had been in the U.S. Forrest Service. He had a laid back personality and was more than happy to take us all the way into the city of Syracuse almost to the threshold of the fraternity house. That story will have to wait until next time!

Check back soon!