groan....🤪

Susan,
Love the picots of the kids! Glad you had such good visits and have had the opportunity to reflect on family.

Amazing paintings, right? I can see Mom blushing in this room!

Great pictures - lots of smiles and ice cream!! Love the Brooklyn Bridge photos.

That looks amazing.

You're riding in some familiar territory for me. I lived right near Kingston and worked in Kingston and Poughkeepsie for many years. It's great that they now have infrastructure on the Kingston-Rhinecliff bridge for cyclists. Back in the time I lived there, cyclists were banned from the bridge. Every year a few cyclists would try, and usually get ticketed.

Hi Kathleen
Yes - I recall many "I live near NY thruway exit..." Glad you're enjoying the dad stories and other NY memories. Thanks for the comments.

Hi Scott - I usually use the OSMCycle map option in RWGPS in planning routes, but the heat map feature can be useful where there are few designated bike friendly routes. But I agree with Suzanne that popular routes are not always ones I would care to ride on.

Hi Suzanne
I totally agree that some of the most popular roads are not for me. I do find the feature helpful as one factor to consider when planning routes here in the US where there are little, if any, OSM Cycle Routes. I also use Google Street view, both here and in Europe.

Lyme disease is a big problem up here - I worry about doing a thorough enough tick check each night. I was just advised to carry doxycycline with me as a 200 mg dose is effective if taken within 24 hr of tick bite. Something to look into.
There have been a few high profile murders on the AT over the last dozen years that could dampen enthusiasm for solo hikers

Thanks Kathleen
I couldn't remember going thru the building - it's on a north spur of the High Line at 30th St. and I turned the other way - wish I'd known.

Bikemap.net has a heat map in the free version. However, comparing the heat map to routes I know well, it's not always reliable. Some of the most frequented roads are one I wouldn't ride.

You’re bringing back a lot of memories for me too. I spent my high school years at the other end of the Tappan Zee Bridge. I laughed out loud when you said your father gave the exact exits to take - same as mine. And same with the listening (or not). And same with the heated discussions about which bridges and highways to take that persist to this day. I remember too that when someone said they lived near NYC you’d ask not what town but what exit.

Interesting to learn of the RWGPS heat map feature. We only use the free version, so I wasn’t aware of it. It looks worth checking out.

Interesting to learn of the RWGPS heat map feature. We only use the free version, so I wasn’t aware of it. It looks worth checking out.