Since rolling into the Rochester area, I've been on task with the plan to consider life in a few small towns and villages near the Erie Canalway Trail. My eye was on the Fairport, Perinton and Pittsford areas that are familiar to me from biking in years past.  Friend Barbara patiently drove me to a number of neighborhoods and we even went on a "townhouse for sale" tour.  While real estate prices are still a little high, my head spun around by the property tax estimates more than anything. Expect I could buy here but can't afford to live here! As far as I'm concerned at this point, time will tell as we continue to head in a downward economic spiral.  Vermont, New York and perhaps North Carolina are still on the homebase options list. 

Otherwise, there was time well-spent with friends, plenty of miles on the saddle, a few hot days by the pool, and more. Next stop, I'm back to tent mode as I push toward the NY-PA border.   

What am I doing in Schenectady in August? Quite a lot, actually. Most folks know this city thanks to Thomas Edison who set up Edison Machine Works back in 1886. My familiarity stems from having friends nearby who I've visited in the past few years. When I opted to spend a month here in the heart of town, my motivation was to have time to see what Schenectady offers its 68,000 people in addition to the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail.  

My room rental is in a lovely space with a very kind host but I wasn't comfortable coming and going at night or leaving my car on the street with items visible. Ironically, Edison's city has poor lighting, but thankfully, I had a driveway spot and very accommodating friends. For day time roaming it was an amazing location within walking distance to the river, a college campus, the Stockade Historic District, downtown, and Little Italy.  I could hop on my bike at the front door and be on the Trail in just a few blocks. 

I'm most surprised by the fact that I never knew the Stockade District existed --  it's one of the oldest residential neighborhoods in the country with over 40 homes over 200 years old and is the first Historic District established in New York.  I'm most pleased that I made multiple visits to bakeries for tomato pie.  I'm most grateful to everyone who celebrated my birthday with me in some way -- greetings, gifts, gab, and Thai cuisine. It's been a busy month of playing tourist, putting miles on my feet and seat, listening to live music, eating plenty of good food, socializing with familiar faces, and celebrating my birth month.

I'm moving on as the week ends knowing I don't want to live urban, suburban or rural. So, now I head toward the Rochester metro to kick tires in a few nearby small towns and villages.