And some neat history in between.
Pouring down rain in Ticonderoga when we went to bed but was overcast and clear when we woke up. Quick check on Intellicast showed that the front had moved slightly to the east with a hook to the south. We decided to bug on out and take our chances on the road. Road through some BEAUTIFUL country up in the Adirondack mountians. We took 8 out of Ticonderoga and then eventually dropped down to 29 on 30. Beautiful country. We were riding in the clouds and the scenery was out of this world - as were the roads and curves.
Oh yeah, before we left out of Ticonderoga, shot back down and checked out the waterfall in downtown after the rain. Very nice!
After we got down out of the Anderondacks, we stopped for a coffee and breakfast. It was good but the ol' boy that was hand cookin' the omelettes was putting all kind of peppers, home made salsa, red pepper flakes, paprika and all kind of stuff in it. We are cajuns and enjoy our stuff hot, but that early in the morning (Man, I hope I don't gross anyone out) but about 2 hours later, Hard6 and I soiled a yankee toilet - Sorry folks, we both left a dollar!
Then we rode through some beautiful country - let me tell you.....We found a working waterfall where they had dammed it off and the water was pumped through a little factory of some kind on the edge of the river.
Saw some great houses.....
And some great little towns! You gotta check out the homes in Oneida, NY!!!!
BEAUTIFUL FARMLAND we rode through today and got to see an Amish get together. We also got to see the house of Webster Wagnor (just by coincidence - passed by and stopped - in Palantine Bridge, NY).
History Lesson: Webster Wagner (October 2, 1817 – January 13, 1882) was a postmaster, state official and inventor. He was born near Palatine Bridge, New York and worked as a wagon maker alongside of other family members. After serving as an employee for the New York Central Railroad, Wagner invented the sleeping car and luxurious parlor car. He also perfected a system of ventilating railroad cars. His inventions were first used on the NY Central and later spread to other lines. He founded the Wagner Palace Car Company, located in Buffalo, New York. Several legal battles with the Pullman Company failed to put him and his partners out of business. He also served in the New York Assembly and Senate. He was married to the former Susan Davis and had a family of five children.
He died in a rail accident on Friday the 13th of January, 1882, while riding in one of his sleeping cars, in the Bronx, New York.
Then we got up on 90 and rode over to Rome, New York - most cool town.
We got to see The Monument at the Battle of Oriskany - amazing monument concidering it was put up in the 1800's itself! This battle was one of the bloodiest of the Revolution and wiped out entire homes of all their men folks.
To give you an idea of the size, that is Hard6 in front getting a picture!
History Lesson: The Battle of Oriskany, fought on August 6, 1777, was one of the bloodiest battles in the American Revolutionary War and a significant engagement of the Saratoga campaign. Early in the siege of Fort Stanwix, an American relief force from the Mohawk Valley under General Nicholas Herkimer, numbering around 800 men of the Tryon County militia and a party of Oneida Indians, approached in an attempt to raise the siege. British commander Barry St. Leger authorized an intercept force consisting of a Hanau Jäger detachment, Sir John Johnson's King's Royal Regiment of New York, Native allies from the Six Nations, and Indian Department Rangers totaling at least 450 men.
The Loyalist and Native force ambushed Herkimer's force in a small valley about six miles (10 km) east of Fort Stanwix. During the battle, Herkimer was mortally wounded. The battle cost the Patriots approximately 450 casualties, while the Loyalists and Natives lost approximately 150 dead and wounded. The apparent Loyalist success was tarnished when a sortie from Fort Stanwix sacked their camp, spoiling morale among the Indians.
This was one the few battles in the war where almost all of the participants were North American: Loyalists and Native Americans fought against Patriots in the absence of British soldiers. For the Natives, the battle marked the beginning a civil war, as Oneidas under Colonel Louis allied with the American militia fought against members of the other Iroquois nations.
When General Philip Schuyler heard of the retreat from Oriskany, he immediately set about sending additional relief to the area. The siege at Fort Stanwix was eventually lifted on August 21 when a relief column led by General Benedict Arnold approached. While still at Fort Dayton, Arnold sent messengers into the British camp that were able to convince the British and Indian besiegers that his force was much larger than it actually was.
The Mohawk leader Chief Joseph BrantBecause of the small population of settlers in the Mohawk Valley, the Patriot losses sustained at the Battle of Oriskany were almost overwhelming to the community; some families lost all their male members, and few families escaped unscathed. Furthermore, combatants often found themselves fighting relatives who happened to choose the opposing side. Germans, Indians and English died on both sides.
Then we rode over and checked out some more history in Rome, like the Tomb of the Unknown American Revolution Soldier.
The memorial to the Romans (New York) that gave all for their country.
There was also a memorial to the commander of Fort Stanwix. Then we went over to the musuem and checked it out! The little lady that is doing everything there was AWESOME!!! Go check it out and be sure to watch the movie - it will blow you away - very well done and explains the whole history of the Mohawk Valley.
She even showed us the original "Pledge of Alligience" (the original) written by Francis Bellamy in Rome, NY - just around the corner from the musueam (and everything today was free of charge). We told her that we knew it well - said it every morning in school - back when we could still say these words.
History Lesson: The Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy (1855-1931), a Baptist minister, a Christian socialist, and the cousin of socialist utopian novelist Edward Bellamy (1850-1898). Bellamy's original "Pledge of Allegiance" was published in the September 8th issue of the popular children's magazine The Youth's Companion as part of the National Public-School Celebration of Columbus Day, a celebration of the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's discovery of America, conceived by James B. Upham.
Then we got to check out Fort Stanwix.
History Lesson: Fort Stanwix was a colonial fort whose construction was started on August 26, 1758, by British General John Stanwix, at the location of present-day Rome, New York, but was not completed until about 1762. The fort guarded a portage known as the Oneida Carrying Place during the French and Indian War.
The fort was reoccupied by Colonial troops under the command of Colonel Elias Dayton on July 12, 1776. They began reconstruction of the fort and they renamed it Fort Schuyler, although many continued to call it Fort Stanwix. Colonel Peter Gansevoort took over command of the fort on May 3, 1777.
On August 3, 1777 the fort was besieged by The King's 8th Regiment, Loyalists, and Indians, under the command of Brigadier General Barry St. Leger,as part of a three-pronged campaign to divide the American colonies. Gansevoort refused the terms of surrender offered by the British, and the siege commenced.
A flag was raised over the fort on August 3 has been claimed to be the first Stars and Stripes, but an analysis of the historical evidence has shown to have been the Grand Union Flag.
The Battle of Oriskany was fought a few miles away when an American relief column under the command of by General Nicholas Herkimer, was ambushed by Tories and their Indian allies. While many of the besiegers were attending to that battle, the defenders of the fort sallied forth and attacked the enemy camp, looting and destroying enemy stores. Demoralized and reduced in strength, the British withdrew when they heard reports of the approach of yet another relief column, led by General Benedict Arnold. The British forces withdrew through Canada and joined Burgoyne's campaign at Fort Ticonderoga.
The British failure to capture the fort and proceed down the Mohawk Valley was a severe setback and helped lead to the defeat of General John Burgoyne at the Battle of Saratoga.
We also got see another musket demonstration.
We were going to ride a barge down the Erie Canal, but the last one had already left, so we shot off and saw some nice country!!!!!
Stopped in Wampsville, NY (just because I liked the name) and stopped at the Happy Pine for a piece of pie. Waitress was cool and when her husband called (they are bikers), she said "I just had two Valkyries ride in from Louisiana". She knew the bikes!!!
We had two pieces of Fruits of the Field Pie ala mode with coffee. Boy Howdy!!!!
We rode into Syracuse for the night - got a little rain - but not bad. Checked into a room and had a cocktail and then walked across the street for dinner. There was a fancy Italian place and a home made joint - which one did you think we would choose - Hey, a home made New York Pizza!!!
Hand tossed.....
And we now have happy bellies!!!!!!!!
Great ride today and we are still having a ball ya'll!!!!!!!
More to come tomorrow!!!
