We spent last night at a camp ground on Lake Saratoga at the edge of Saratoga Springs so that we could see our friends Chris Morrow and his mother Barbara at their bookstore. We've known Barb and her husband Ed for nearly as long as we were in the book business., and met Chris years ago as well — he now runs the bookstores. We're staying with Ed tonight in Manchester Center — Chris and Barb are in Saratoga Springs for a reception, working late at their store there, and staying over at their apartment above the store. The Morrows have run Northshire Bookstore in Vermont for 42 years, and opened the store in Saratoga Springs, at the behest of folks in that town, just over four years ago. Here's a photo outside the Saratoga Springs store.
I think their stores, hands down, are among the best anywhere. A funny coincidence...when Dee and I were traveling in 1979 and early 1980, deciding if we wanted to open a bookstore, we read a book called Second Chance. The book was filled with stories of folks who had moved from one career to another — something less common in the late 70's than today. One store was about a guy who worked on Wall Street. He had left "the street" and he and his wife had moved to Vermont and opened a bookstore. We found the story quite inspiring and it certainly contributed to our final decision about a store. After starting our store and knowing Ed and Barb for several years it finally dawned on us that they were the couple. We dug out the book and confirmed it. I just told Ed tonight that it was all his fault. He laughed and said he was happy to take the credit.
Because we were going to be in Saratoga Springs until afternoon today I took advantage of being close to a bike shop with time to have some work done on the bike. Some time back I learned that the rear wheel needed to be trued, but the timing and location hadn't coincided to let that happen. So today I took the bike to Blue Sky Bicycles to have that done. Fortunately, they discovered that I needed a new rear tire and a new chain —nearly 2000 miles has taken its toll. In addition they gave me some good advice about my route to Manchester Center. So I was all set.
As you might know, Saratoga Springs is a huge horse racing center, and much of the surrounding area is surrounded by horse farms. All over the downtown there are statues like this, each painted in its own unique design.
This one is actually in the nearby town of Schuylerville, and there was another very near it.
The ride today was a bit more challenging than the past few days along the canal. I climbed nearly the same number of feet in 44 miles today as I did yesterday in 80 miles, meaning the hills had a steeper incline. And, yesterday was quite a bit more elevation gain than several days along the canal. I think I'll have a similar experience for the next few days here in the mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire. I chose this to be a no-tunes day. So I spent the time just absorbing the scenery and the atmosphere. If I had any great thoughts they must have passed through quickly.
I want to thank Steve Martini for his generous donation to Binc this week. I'm hoping the other two authors in the legal thriller trio — John Grisham and Scott Turow — will match his generosity. Steve, as you likely know, is the Bellingham-based author of a number of legal thrillers featuring Paul Madriani, as well as some stand-alone novels. Here's more info on his books.
The countryside through which I rode today was beautiful. I saw several harvested corn fields, like this one with the rolling hills behind.
I also came across this iconic covered bridge.
And later these stone walls that seem another symbol of New England.
According to our friends here, Columbus Day weekend is the busiest weekend in the state of Vermont, and likely in New Hampshire as well. That's true because it's usually the height of fall color. This year, however, some color came early, then summer came back and the major color has not materialized as it usually does. There's not been a hard frost yet. That said, this photo did look pretty "fallish" to me in spite of the still green hills behind.
When we got to Manchester Center we were able to visit the original store. This was Dee's third visit to the store and my fifth. I never tire of it. Here's a photo outside the store. I thought it appropriate to show the Binc jersey as Northshire has been such an avid supporter of the foundation.
There are two great sculptures in a small park-like setting near this entrance. The first is a Thomas Jefferson piece, though not just a statue.
The second is either newer, or I just hadn't spotted it before. It's a reading robot figure.
It's the one on your left.
I did have an "almost" dog encounter today. Within the last 10 miles of the ride I spotted a very large dog on the side of the road, head down and sniffing. It appeared to be at least part Great Dane. The dog looked up at me...and went back to sniffing the side of the road. Maybe it was part bloodhound. It couldn't have been less interested in me.
After a welcome shower we went with Ed to a great Thai restaurant that he and Barb frequent often. The food was amazing. It was a great time to catch up with Ed, with whom I served on the board of the American Booksellers Association. He was ABA's president about three spots before me. It's always great seeing long-time friends.
Ride Day Twenty-Eight by the numbers;
43.9 — miles ridden
2828.1 — feet in elevation gained
4401,67 — calories burned
1 — days without a fall (this new way of reporting was inspired by a factory safety sign I saw today)
1/2 — dogs (see above)
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